In some ways I wonder if this last post in the series may be the hardest for some to swallow. It might seem like the riskiest. Maybe it is. Ironically, however, it is also the post in which I will most push for a deeper trust in the work of the Holy Spirit. In a sense that’s what all of these posts have been about, a movement
So good, Phil. I’m new to your writing, so now I need to go back and read the earlier parts of this series. But I’ll be taking that image of “trusting the Spirit in the other” with me as I lead my church tomorrow. Trusting the Spirit in the convert but also in the community.
I’ve commented / judged, at times, other Christians who don the phairisaical purple and gold robes when assessing the legitimacy of a new convert’s salvation based on the degree of their change in lifestyle. I’ve come to realize that I have a blind spot to the acceptable uniqueness of what individual conversion looks like. While I may not condemn one based on what is seen/not seen in their changes life, my attitude has been to wait and witness the change that the Holy Spirit will bring. Sounds good but, really, I’m casting the same judgment only with a softer delivery as I am unwittingly rejecting any initial beams of light that don’t “fit with the program”. I’ll be chewing on this for a while . . .
So good, Phil. I’m new to your writing, so now I need to go back and read the earlier parts of this series. But I’ll be taking that image of “trusting the Spirit in the other” with me as I lead my church tomorrow. Trusting the Spirit in the convert but also in the community.
Welcome! Have an amazing time with your congregation today.
I’ve commented / judged, at times, other Christians who don the phairisaical purple and gold robes when assessing the legitimacy of a new convert’s salvation based on the degree of their change in lifestyle. I’ve come to realize that I have a blind spot to the acceptable uniqueness of what individual conversion looks like. While I may not condemn one based on what is seen/not seen in their changes life, my attitude has been to wait and witness the change that the Holy Spirit will bring. Sounds good but, really, I’m casting the same judgment only with a softer delivery as I am unwittingly rejecting any initial beams of light that don’t “fit with the program”. I’ll be chewing on this for a while . . .
Love this, Phil. I think many of us are coming to realize some of our blind spots – a work of the Spirit in itself.
Hope to see you out east someday soon.