The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "When Pharaoh says to you, 'perform a miracle', then say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh', and it will become a snake." So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians did the same thing by their secret arts: each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. (Exodus 7:8-12)
In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam warned us that the element of Spirit-filled power can be counterfeited. Just as Pharaoh's magicians counterfeited the powers demonstrated by Moses and Aaron, there are also men and women in our day who are able to perform the miraculous, though not through the power of the Holy Spirit.
How do we distinguish authentic Spirit-fullness from its counterfeit?
Our pastor shared, and I paraphrase, that when we are Spirit-filled, the character of God subsumes our character. How does God characterize Himself? Pastor Sam referenced John 3:16: There is an essential self-sacrificing quality, the love of God, which undergirds the power to do the miraculous.
Further, Pastor Sam noted that this love which comes from God must be produced in us by God Himself. On our own, we have neither enough skill nor enough will to make it happen. It is the Spirit of God who empowers us to love the unlovely, to love ourselves, and to love Him.
Today, let's look into the proverbial mirror. What reflection do we see? Is it the love of God poured into us and pouring out of us, so that we can authentically demonstrate His power? Or is it something else?
Lord, send Your Spirit that we might look like You, live like You, and love like You.
No comments:
Post a Comment