‘Desire Spiritual Gifts.’
The Bible encourages us to desire Spiritual Gifts so that the Body of Christ may be edified. This is a totally unselfish and non-competitive desire. A desire simply to Bless the Church with what the Holy Spirit has given.
1 Corinthians 12:28-31.
a) 1 Corinthians 12:28. All the manifestations of the Holy Spirit are set in the Church by God.
b) 1 Corinthians 12:29-30. Different people have different gifts.
c) 1 Corinthians 12:31. Desire the Holy Spirit gifts and love other Believers too.
(This QT reminds me that it is spiritually healthy to Desire Spiritual Gifts if our motives are correct)
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‘The Way To Peace And Mercy.’
Galatians 6:10-16.
a) Galatians 6:10. Do good to other people – especially to Believers.
b) Galatians 6:11-13. Not to associate with religious people who try to make us obey their “laws”.
c) Galatians 6:14. Glory in the Cross through which the World system is crucified to us and we to the World system.
d) Galatians 6:15. In Christ what is important is that we are a New Creation.
e) Galatians 6:16. If we follow this way we can find Peace and Mercy.
(This Second one shows me The Way To Peace And Mercy. Thank God it is centred on the Cross)
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Chris.
We are not to associate with religious people who try to control us in different ways. The sad thing is that these religious people are often the ones who claim to be the most “spiritual”. They may have pride in their “knowledge” of the Bible or of their charismatic experiences but they bring other people into misery and bondage. We are not to associate with such people – rather we are to associate and fellowship with “balanced” True Believers who love God and His Word, are soundly saved and Biblically filled with the Holy Spirit.
