Let Go and be Captured by the Spirit
Keith Ross
June 07, 2017
Add to Favourites
1 Corinthians 12:3-12
3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Unity and Diversity in the Body
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
“Into your hands Lord, I commend my spirit” are familiar words to many worshippers. The phrase implies a willingness of the participant to consent to the setting aside of our own thoughts. By using ‘sacred words and images’ we become ready to be shaped and to respond to the love of God.
Many a parent or grandparent has had to endure the lilting sound of the Frozen song: ‘Let it go’ (apologies it’s now in your head!). By using a sacred word or image and hey-presto, hopefully your mind can centre on God and not the tune or the words I have just invited you to place inside your mind.
To be able to deeply respond to God and allow our Church community to be shaped by God– let it go. In this mental gap the words of 1 Corinthians 12:3-12 give us the foundations to be moulded by God’s Spirit.
Prayer
Lord, how many times do you want me to pray to change the Church? Will these prayers have any effect? Guide me to ‘let go’ of all in our church environment that is unworthy of the Spirit. May my prayers call for the gifts of Spirit to be upon all called into Your service.
Let me text, tweet, pass-on our prayers for the common good. Help me Lord to tell others that I am praying for them. Challenge me to share Your wisdom with family and friends alike. Make Your miraculous power into an ability to understand different perspectives and shift those who may be indifferent to being in receipt of such a prayer.
As I reflect today Lord, may my prayers bring a strong sense of unity within the Churches, as in the Spirit of Christ as we share in the ongoing Gospel story. May I constantly return, again and again, to the presence of the Spirit at the forefront of my thoughts and actions. Amen.
Login to comment.