We want to continue our search for answers to questions like “How could a local church bring sorrow to God’s Spirit?” and “How could a local church even stifle Him in His work of Christlike transformation?”
We asked ourselves earlier, why might God’s Spirit be hindered in starting or continuing the Christlike transformation of a local church? Why might this transformation process even come to a premature halt?
When manifestations of God’s Spirit are ‘extinguished’ in my church.....
Over the centuries there have been many theological arguments and historical developments that have snuffed out various manifestations of God’s Spirit within local churches.
The apostle Paul on the other hand encourages the local churches “to please the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8) and “not to bring sorrow to Him” (Ephesians 4:30) or “stifle Him” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
The Greek term Paul uses for the Christlike transformation of the local church is often translated in our Bibles by “to build up (in the Lord)”.
In the following texts you’ll find the way this term is used in the New Testament in connection with the local church:
-- “And now I [Paul] entrust you [the Ephesian Elders] to God and the word of his grace-- his message that is able to build you up...” (Acts 20:32)
-- “... try to build each other up. Don't tear apart the work of God...” (Romans 14:19-20)
-- “We should please others. If we do what helps them, we will build them up in the Lord.” (Romans 15:2)
-- “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
-- “But one who prophesies is helping others grow [litt. building others up] in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens [litt. builds up] the entire church.” (1 Corinthians 14:3-4)
-- “Since you are so eager to have spiritual gifts, ask God for those that will be of real help to [litt. build up] the whole church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)
-- “Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize what I am saying. When you meet, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in an unknown language, while another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must be useful to all and build them up in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 14:26)
-- “I [Paul] may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But this authority is to build you up, not to tear you down. And I will not be put to shame by having my work among you destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 10:8)
-- “Everything we do, dear friends, is for your benefit [litt. for building you up].” (2 Corinthians 12:19)
-- “Their [the church leaders’] responsibility is to equip God's people to do his [God’s] work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.
Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.
Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:12-16)
The New International Version translates Ephesians 4:16: “From Him[Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
-- “Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful (NIV for building others up), so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29)
-- “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
-- “And now God is building you, as living stones, into his spiritual temple.” (1 Peter 2:5)
From the texts we just mentioned, some verses are of special importance to our meditation:
-- “...love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
-- “...his message [God’s Word] is able to build you up...” ( Acts 20:32)
-- “...to do his [God’s] work and build up the church, the Body of Christ, until ... we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, ... becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his Body, the church..” (Ephesians 4:12-15)
-- “From Him[Jesus Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:16)
-- “... ask God for those [spiritual gifts] that will be of real help to [litt. build up] the whole church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)
Indeed, “building each other up in the Lord” has first of all to do with “loving each other intensely with all your hearts” (1 Peter 1:22).
In the context of that mutual love, the gifts [manifestations] of God's Spirit are not given for spiritual superstar qualification. On the contrary, they are given to encourage and strengthen Christlike love in the Christian community. (1 Corinthians 14:12).
From all we wrote in this meditation, it is clear that according to the Word of God [the Bible], this “building each other up in the Lord” is one of the main characteristics of a healthy and Christlike church.
It is also clear that a local church cannot produce such Christlike life by its own efforts. It is a transformation process directed by God’s Holy Spirit.
As we said already, in this process the gifts of the Spirit, when used in a Christlike way, have an important ‘booster function’ to grow Christlike love.
So, when my church lacks the manifold gifts [manifestations] of God’s Spirit to increase mutual love, it brings sorrow to the Holy Spirit and might even stifle His work of Christlike transformation.
What might remain is a church with clear biblical teaching regarding God’s Spirit, with inspiring sermons, rousing songs, an impressive liturgy and a well-oiled organisation... Yet, it would be a church without the all-out directive of God’s Spirit as the One who uses His gifts in the process to lead the church to Christlike love and maturity.
We are left with some important questions:
-- Does God’s Spirit encourage and strengthen mutual Christlike love in my church?
-- Does my church sincerely ask God to provide those gifts [manifestations] of His Spirit in my church that will be of real help to grow towards Christlike maturity?
-- Are the gifts of God’s Spirit serving the Christlike transformation progress of my church? Or, are those gifts used for self-glorification of some individuals or to authenticate my church as a‘charismatic community’?
-- Is my church actively seeking how to please God’s Spirit?
-- Is my church in a real danger to bring sorrow to God’s Spirit or even to stifle Him in doing His ministry of Christlike transformation? What would my church need to do to stem that tide?
(to be continued)
The Bible verses 1 Corinthians 8:1 and Ephesians 4:16 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are all quoted from the New Living Translation.
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