LED BY THE SPIRIT
The Scriptures clearly teach that God will lead His children
if they will follow. The Scriptures
also clearly teach that not all human beings are children of God even though He
has created them and given them life. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one
can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again". John 3:3 NIV
I believe God's children need to be open
to His leading, and willing to be led, by the Spirit of God. Most of us as parents have
heard, and possibly uttered the phrase, "in one ear and out the other", in
regards to dealing with our children. I believe our Heavenly Father sometimes
finds that to be true as He deals with us, and all of mankind, whom He has
created and loves. The following
is a brief account of a happening in the life of Pastor Al, the Pastor of the
church that I attended during my early years as a Christian.
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Romans 8:14
KJV
Pastor Al was a young man and was the leader of a growing body of believers
and church attendees. He was led by the Spirit of God and many times exhibited a
knowledge about situations or individuals that he could not have known or
learned by natural means. He was a good man and a concerned, loving Pastor.
One Sunday, as the church service was progressing, Pastor Al stopped the
progress of the service and told us that God had impressed upon him the
knowledge that there was someone in the service who needed help. Pastor Al went
on to say that this someone was troubled in mind and spirit and had a desperate
need to ask God for help. The Pastor, with concern that was evident in his voice
and body language, urged the someone to seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ
and receive help from the Lord to ease the turmoil and strife that was in the
person's mind and spirit. Pastor Al continued this way for several moments,
urging the someone to seek help from the Lord and had already asked the
congregation to earnestly pray. The Pastor, at length, said that the situation
was not resolved and asked the people to continue to pray about this need. The
service continued but had taken on a different, urgent tone. We didn't know who
the urgent plea was intended for but there was no doubt that God, through His
Spirit, had led Pastor Al to make strong attempts to reach someone's heart and
mind with the message of the Gospel. Scriptures teach that the blood of
Jesus will change and cleanse our hearts.
"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit;"
1 Corinthians 12:8 KJV
Within hours of that service, an individual who had sat among the
congregation, walked into a local business establishment and killed another
person with a shotgun. The Lord had certainly given warning to the troubled
individual and had provided opportunity for them to turn from the way in which
they were going and receive help from God. What a waste of many people's lives.
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Revelation 3:20 NIV
"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near."
Isaiah 55:6 NIV
James Lloyd Clark
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