From a home prayer meeting in 1969
Uncle Joe testified in a meeting in 1969 and left us this pearl. I’ll summarize how he started his testimony that day:
I think we ought to forget about all that formal, social introduction to each other when we meet the children of God and let God introduce Himself. Let the Spirit of God in each of us have fellowship through each other, and then we’ll know each other, and we won’t have to ask very many questions. We don’t have to go through all that commotion the world goes through in order for us to get acquainted. God’s already acquainted with Himself, and we belong to Him. We’re all one family.
This testimony reminded me of an observation made by Sister Donna not long ago. She laughed when she thought of how often we all have greeted one another when we meet and the Spirit of God would fall on us. After that blessing of God was given, we often back up a little and then do the obligatory, "How are you?" But the holy Ghost has already told us how we are! It is as Uncle Joe said, just let the Spirit within us have its fellowship among us, and we will know each other. And we will know how each other is really doing by the feelings of the Spirit within us. We will not have to go through the usual, worldly motion of introduction and inquiry..
The apostle Paul said something like this when he told the Corinthians that he was coming. There was some controversy among the saints at that time, and Paul said that when he arrived, he would know how everyone was doing by the power of God that they had (1Cor. 4:19). I doubt very seriously that when Paul arrived in Corinth and gathered with the saints, he shook their hand and said, "How ya doin’?"
Of course, this can be taken to an extreme and make people afraid to ask any questions of each other, but Uncle Joe’s point was a good one. We really do not know how anyone is doing unless we know their spirits, and with enough spiritual discernment, there will not be many questions that we need to ask.
The Spirit of truth, tells just that. And knows it when it hears it too. If we won't try and go past that, God will save all of us from being liars. I remember several months ago, before a bible study, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say, "Stop talking about God and start talking like Him" I immedietely realized that we did not need to sit around and 'talk about God, like He isn't living inside of us, SPEAKING! That is what people do who do not have the Lord. God has raised us above that and made us living conduits of His word and His will. We have the word of God -RIGHT NOW- hot off the press and it is the only thing that is perfect at that time. I have been guilty of sitting around "talking about" God, instead of breaking the living bread that Jesus died for and edifying those around me. It is BORING and it gives God a bad reputation among those who do not know Him. They may listen in and think he too is lifeless like those conversations. Uncle Joe was right--Let the Spirit declare it--What can we add to that? Jerry
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