Who Is 'In'? Who is 'Out'? How Do I Know?

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware.  You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.  Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:1-3 NASB)

My personal and group study of 1 Corinthians was driven by a desire to explore what Scripture says about 'spiritual gifts'.  There's a lot of controversy between groups and even within groups who call themselves Christians or 'believers' or 'Christ-followers' on this subject.

Few topics (actually none that I can think of) instill this sort of divisiveness between groups of believers.  One side fears this topic like no other, creating the most outlandish reasons for not permitting practice of spiritual gifts.  On the other side, it seems Scripture is almost optional, and personal experience preempts the inspired words of our Savior.  It's the oddest thing.  But it's not a new problem.

Paul enters into this topic toward the end of his letter to the Corinthian church.  He has beat them verbally over divisiveness and pride, ministers from outside and sin within, marriage and 'food sacrificed to idols'; and several other failures along the way, all actually quite common in our own day.  Having done all that, he turns to this topic.  What first stopped me in my tracks was how he began.

First off, this problem seems to be a Gentile problem.  I thought it would stem from either both sides or from the more Jewish among them, but it doesn't.  My error is probably in that I'm not familiar with pagan practices of the First Century Roman culture.  Clearly though, '...when you were pagans,' can't refer to Jews.  The second part though, that they were led astray to mute idols, obviously sets up what he says next, but I can't clearly make the connection.  "...no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus is accursed'; and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." How does that relate to the pagan problem of being led astray to mute idols?

And for those of you who, like me have blown by this while reading the chapter, never really paying much attention to it, consider that to really get what he's saying in the rest of this chapter, possibly the rest of this discussion, we need to get this introductory statement.  This forms the 'cornerstone' of the rest.  Without it, our understanding is skewed somewhat.

So, the problem isn't with the second part itself, that's pretty straight forward.  And really, it's not with the first part, that makes sense; sort of defines what a pagan is in the first place.  The problem is how the two connect.  So, here's what I do with it:  Paul is defining who is in and who is not in a relationship with God versus over against an accusation that some are still 'pagan' in their practice.  Sounds simple enough.  But, he's doing this only because it's not as 'obvious' to the Corinthians as it should be.  What I mean is that the church in Corinth was accusing each other of not being 'led by the Holy Spirit', and since this falls here in the letter, I'm assuming their accusation had to do with this topic.

This should sound rather familiar because it still happening today.  Groups that overly focus on spiritual gifts tend to 'grade' believers on how 'gifted' they are, and on whether or not they have certain gifts.  Paul is starting out clearly arguing against such judgements.  So, to begin my own study here, I will say the same thing Paul is saying, "STOP IT!"  Very therapeutic.  Okay, that's out of my system. 

I find it interesting that the only determining factor between those who do and those who don't have a relationship with Jesus is the declaration that He is Lord.  Why is the also the element we have the most problem living out as well?  I hesitate to stand and accuse the people to whom Paul is writing as I'm actually standing with them accused of a similar problem.  My specific behavior is different, but the problem is the same, "Is Jesus truly my Lord if I behave this way?"  I must declare Jesus is Lord, which can only be done by the Holy Spirit.  But I must live that out; behave consistent with that statement; and declare with my life that He is my Lord.  Then others will see through my life that He is Lord of all.

The point here is two-fold: 1) the determining factor of who is in and who is not is declaring Jesus is Lord, not 'gifting'.  2) My declaration that Jesus is Lord should be obvious to both the blind and the deaf (what I say and what I do - calm down, it was a metaphor).  Okay, now I'm ready to discuss gifting...or rather 'unity of the church.'

Circumstantial Faith?

Today’s entry is a hard one.  I think it’s hard because it was distilled down and I am missing some explanation.  On the other hand, what is left is succinctly on point.  First, my Master will bring me into circumstances where my faith in Him is tested against actualities (difficulties where I do not sense His blessings).  Second, my focus will be tested in the same circumstances to determine if it is on Him or on His blessings (am I a mercenary follower).

The passage in John 16 is part of a discourse where Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for His coming execution by crucifixion.  He has been trying to get across the event, but also the meaning.  Both seem to be missing them.  In verse 32, Jesus is responding to their claim to “finally believe” or “understand”.  He replies with “Really?  The hour has arrived when you will scatter and abandon me alone.”  How’s that for a tough response?  Jesus sees through their pretense, through their own denial and inability to see themselves, and into their ability to connect their faith with the actual circumstances they will face.  The ability is not there.  He knows this and brings them into it anyway.  He does so because He also knows that these twelve will then have the faith to take the good news of His the work He is about to do to the very ends of the known world, and beyond.

My Master is still working with my faith in actualities.  Am I tied to my beliefs about how He must work, and is my understanding of that work driven by my desires?  Or have I reached the point beyond saying that “He works however He likes and I will follow” and actually living that statement out?  Have I focused past the blessings to the One blessing?  When I tell my Master that “You love me, You have my back, and I am at Your service,” does that statement then reach into actual events of my day?  I believe that at this point, to a large extent, it does.  But an hour comes and has come when that faith is tested in actual events that I can not predict, do not understand, and where I am completely at His mercy. 

We have an apartment and storage unit, but we also have an appeal by family for help.  This transition is no longer about whether or not to enable family members to relax in happy luxury, it is now about assisting aging parents.  Now the decision to stay or go is no longer easy, but it seems clearer.  The marks previously used have been superseded by the appeal.  Now the Scripture compelling me to take care of my own household applies as it did not before.  So, the call appears to be to leave what has been achieved here, minor and major levels of success, and start over socially and economically.

This is the actual set of circumstances I am in.  Where is my faith?  Do I follow the blessings I have enjoyed here, or follow my Master into a hard life?  Well, I hope McDonalds is hiring where we’re going.

Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest": April 4th.