“The most essential element of the true Church after Pentecost is a membership baptised with the Holy Spirit and with fire. Every heart was filled with the experience of the presence of the glorified Lord. Every tongue and life witnessed to the wonderful work God had done in raising Jesus to glory and then filling his disciples with that glory. The baptism of power is not just for preachers, but for every individual member of Christ’s body. This will draw the attention of the world and compel confession to the power of Jesus.” (Andrew Murray: Power for your life, chapter 6)
Murray also stresses the importance of obedience as a condition which must be met prior to any such baptism. This has been particularly relevant for me. Having been brought up in a free church protestant tradition ‘obedience’ was always seen as something of a dirty word. Faith has always been pushed to the fore with obedience being forced to sit in the back where he can be monitored with the suspicion he deserves. I have always puzzled over this – of course faith is important, it is essential but what is the hallmark of faith? How do we know that faith is real and not just some token intellectual acknowledgement of Christ’s lordship? True faith will always deliver obedience and obedience will qualify us to receive Pentecostal power.
God has taught me (not just through this book) that obedience is essential, obedience is the key that unlocks his power and blessings, if we want ‘another Pentecost’ then we will get it when we show some determined ‘obedient faith’.“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:14-18)
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15-17)
Without obedience God can give us nothing, as Christians, faith in Christ is the fuel of our obedience, faith comes by hearing and doing. I think we’ve done quite a lot of hearing (although it might be better described as navel-contemplating) perhaps it is time to ‘do’
As the old song says…
“If you want boldness, take part in the fight;
If you want purity, walk in the light;
If you want liberty, shout and be free;
Enjoying a full salvation.”
Yours set apart by Christ, for the lost, in the Army.
A
1 comment:
I find the Blondin story that is used in the Alpha course helpful. You probably know it. It is where Blondin, watched by a large audience of people performs a fantastic tightrope walk across the Niagara Falls. Everyone admires his feat. He then asks the crowd if they believe that he could walk across the rope, pushing a wheelbarrow. They all affirmed that he could and he proved it before them all. He went on to push the wheelbarrow across again, this time with a sack of potatoes, the weight of a man in it. He then asked the the crowd if they believed he could push a man across the tightrope. Yes, said one man, it was very possible.
Blondin replied, "Hop in!"
Everyone in the crowd said they beleived Blondin could do it but no one would obey his command to get in so no got to the other side of the Falls. It didn't matter it was entertainment. It matters greatly when the chasm is our sin and to get to God we need to cross it or die.
Keep on believing and obeying
God bless
Carol
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