A Wise Master Builder - PART 83

Continuing with the topic on the gifts of the holy Spirit of Jesus. In former days, some of us were blindly led astray to worship dumb and senseless idols. We were led into this darkness by persons who in all probability were themselves deceived. They now in turn pass along their erroneous error, continuing to propagate a lie. 

“This is the reason that I must impress upon you an understanding." Today, as before, we are meeting persons who claim also to speak messages received from the Spirit of God. How can you know whether they are really inspired by God or whether they are also fakes? No doubt, you have met many who assert that they are Christians, attending church meetings and yet constantly curse and blaspheme the name of Jesus.


Indeed, one minute after 12 on New Year's Eve, probably the name of Jesus passes through the lips of many individuals. But surely, if one professes to know Jesus personally then one ought to examine their profession of faith. Why? Because not for a split second would the Holy Spirit call the name of Jesus cursed. How do the scriptures say it? No man can say sincerely that Jesus is Lord, except he is inspired by the Holy Ghost.

There are also gifts of the Spirit, whereby different gifts are given to different persons. Still, it is the same spirit who is the giver. The work of the Spirit of God is not a new work of God but a continuation of the redemptive work of salvation. The difference from the Old Testament to the New Testament is that it is now administered to the world by new (born again) believers who now are the new members of the body of Jesus the Christ.


Jesus body was cursed for us. As new members, we have to be equipped with the powerful gifts of Jesus' Holy Spirit. We are now a member of His body. We are placed as individual members into the appropriate members task. It is the Spirit of God who alone knows beforehand the body (which is the measure of the stature of Christ) requirements. This explains why it is the Lord who adds daily to the body of Christ.


Jesus is the wise master builder. As the builder, He uses living stones (believers) and not brick and mortar. His own temple in which He is pleased to dwell. As the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in the man Jesus the Christ, so also will the fullness of the Godhead dwell in this new temple which is and always will be His only begotten Son. Now, as in any body there are differences in functions of each member. 


In a body, there are normally a variety of activities associated with each part. Likewise, there are also a variety of effects. But, at the end of the day, it is the same God who is the master designer and builder who works all of these things according to the counsel of His own will. It is the same one God achieving His purpose through them all. The manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to each believer that each may use the gift or gifts that the body of Jesus be nourished.


For to one is given. Stand in the offering plate. Be born again just like Jesus said, of both the water and of the Spirit. And let the peace of God rule and reign in your heart!