Dear Aaron:
I appreciate your post below on the necessity of godly character in the lives of those who seek spiritual power. I would like to point out the difference between character and power and try to dispell some Christian myths.
First let me say that I agree with you, Jesus, and Paul the apostle who said... "if I have not love, I am nothing" even if I have all this spiritual power. It's just clang clang clang....irritating noise :)
Now on to the myths:
Christian Myth #1: Christian character is required by God in order to give individuals spiritual power or gifts. NOT TRUE.
We have all seen people move in great power, healing, signs, wonders, miracles, prophecy, preaching (even on holiness), leading worship, selling lots of books and cd's, having powerful international ministries and we later learn that they were in gross sin the whole time they were ministering in such great power, etc.
This is one of the mysteries of God. The only thing I can come up with is that God loves people and he gets his work done however he can, even through donkeys :) God is also VERY patient and gracious :) Thank goodness!
TRUTH: Ministering in spiritual power is NO GUARANTEE of godly character or holiness. (We need BOTH godly character and great spiritual power!).
Christian Myth #2: Christian character will automatically release God's miracle power in someone's life and ministry. NOT TRUE.
Again, this is a mystery in God. All of us know great people of fabulous character that lack the power to heal, prophesy, bring the tangible precence of God, etc.
I don't know why this is true, but we MUST PURSUE spiritual gifts, (Paul said EAGERLY DESIRE THEM) and CONTINUE to pursue them and use them so that will grow and God will be glorified MORE!
One of the sayings that people use alot is "seek God's face and not his hand". This is unfortunately not biblical. We must seek God's face (worship) AND his hand (gifts of power). The Bible clearly teaches us to pursue BOTH with great hunger, humility, faith and dilligence.
So let's hear it for LOVE and POWER! That's why I love that song so much...MORE LOVE, MORE POWER! God IS LOVE...BE the LOVE! God is POWER!...BE the POWER!.
Rock on revival!
love,
Keith Luker
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-revival-fire-3002829@hub.xc.org [mailto:bounce-revival-fire-3002829@hub.xc.org] On Behalf Of Aaron Shaneen
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 11:55 PM
To: A forum for Revival Discussion and Posts
Subject: [revival-fire] Only Love...
******* REVIVAL FIRE!!! ******* From: bounce-revival-fire-3002829@hub.xc.org [mailto:bounce-revival-fire-3002829@hub.xc.org] On Behalf Of Aaron Shaneen
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 11:55 PM
To: A forum for Revival Discussion and Posts
Subject: [revival-fire] Only Love...
Just today me and a very dear friend were talking about the (supposed) separation in between those who lean real heavy into the supernatural power of God and those who lean real heavy into the Christlike character of God. I am not here to discuss or debate specifics but I proposed the idea to my dear sister that the Christlike character of God IS the supernatural power of God and that there was never meant to be a separation in between the two. Signs, wonders, and miracles flow out of a patient, loving, and holy heart. It's actually impossible to walk in one or the other without the other...
Given that I am extremely touched by Lauren Champagne's post regarding her return from Africa. And that is the first time I've ever heard anyone say "become the love of God" besides God. I have currently gone through a strange spout with healings myself (if you ask me the whole healing thing is far to complicated and confused) as I have for years now. The most recent lesson was this. I would see an obvious need that someone would have for healing and immediately go to heal them but the Lord would stop me and ask me "Do you even love this person?". How can I touch and heal and save and deliver people whom I don't even love when it's the ONLY reason He ever did it...
Most people think that Love is some softcore issue in Christ that is all nice nice and doesn't need much attention. The truth of the matter is the Love IS Christ and until we learn to love we will continue to be the blind leading the blind. When the Body remembers to love and learns to love righteously (not worldly or carnally but Godly) then EVERYTHING will fall into place. I don't have the time nor the energy to go through scripture to prove this and my dear brothers and sisters are far too arguementive and hard hearted to hear it anyways, but I promise you this...love and let love...all else will follow...
Or as Mahesh Chavda put it...
Only Love Can Make A Miracle,
Lord help us
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