Act Like It

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

We are one. There are days I too question this understanding, but that does not change a truth about Christ’s followers, we are one. We are one by the Holy Spirit. I can’t explain the way the Spirit works, but I can see the outcome. In my village when someone dies people come together. The people gather in support of each other. Yes, there are tears, but there is laughter too. This is fresh on my mind as I face another death of a much loved member of our community. Twice in two weeks my village has faced the loss of long-time, much loved members of this body. To my joy, once again the people, many the same people as last week, will rise up and comfort the grieving. They always do. They are tireless. To me, that’s the Holy Spirit working. This is the only way I can explain it. And they not only gather upon a death, but upon births too. And they gather to celebrate weddings and Baptisms. Tireless! It can only be the Holy Spirit. At each gathering I see people exhibiting the Spirit in their actions and presence. Strangely, these “spiritual gifts” seem to go unnoticed until we gather. As individuals our gifts may not be dormant, but can be unremarkable. Something about being with each other brings out the Spirit. As the Spirit is experienced we are drawn closer together. We are one. Why? I like the way Joni Earekson Tada put it, “Believers are never told to become one; we already are one and are expected to act like it.” Act like we are one and I do believe … it will happen.  The Holy Spirit will see to it.

About Pastor Steve

Pastor Steve Hodges is an ordained minister, pastoring a church in SW Pennsylvania.
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