Nougat 14

Quite often in conversation or reported speaking, we make reference to an instinct, a voice, or ‘something’ that urges us. We are often ready to obey, but usually hesitate to give a name to the voice. Could such actions indicate denial of God’s Spirit? Hmmm Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.” John 14:17 NLT

The first chapter of John’s Gospel alludes to Jesus being denied, unrecognized and even rejected by humanity. It is a theme that echoes Isaiah’s prophecy of the Suffering Servant (chapter 53:3) and a preface to the Nougat. My initial instinct is to wonder why ‘those people’ do such things, until I remember that I’ve been guilty of ‘a voice’, ‘my mind’ or ‘something just’ in my conversation also.

Why would we believers, Christians and children of God hesitate to acknowledge the presence and work of God’s Spirit in our activities? And why so quick to judge others, demanding perfection even, from those who operate with the Gifts of the Spirit?

Admittedly, we ought to be discerning, as there are indeed fakes and scammers out there. And for the most part, we seek to give God good representation. But do we realize that in our caution we also run the risk of denying the presence and worth of God’s Spirit? Yes we are.

Just think – each time we contribute to a project at work or school; our name being (intentionally) omitted. The excuse being, persons weren’t sure if you contributed, yet no one thought to ask. My human response is to leave/quit, for obviously, I’m not valued. I don’t even want to fathom what that means when we treat God’s Spirit with disdain.

But if we’re standing on God’s promises (actually Jesus’ promise), we realize that the active presence of God’s Spirit is a Gift. Freely Given. And if a Gift, then we ought to ‘unpack’ and savor ALL this Most Precious Gift offers to us. That begins with accepting and opening ourselves to God’s Spirit. As with many gifts we receive nowadays, there’s NEED to visit the Operators’ Manual when we are uncertain about pre-existing, unfamiliar functions.

Our Operators’ Manual IS the Bible.

Like God’s Spirit, it reveals God at work through, with and in the lives of great and ordinary humans. And in so doing, it illuminates the work and witness of Jesus, God’s Son. We have general directions. At least enough to start with. We are even told what to look for when God’s Spirit has been allowed free reign in our lives (see Galatians 5:16-26).

Let’s not be part of the unbelieving crowd described in the Nougat. Can we resolve to affirming God’s Spirit at work in and around us?

By God’s Grace, let’s do it!

—

May all we seek be found in Christ