Christian Living

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Many people claim to be a "Spirit filled Christian", while others claim to be a "Spirit led Christian" ... I don't really know if they are saying the same thing in a different way or if, as the words themselves indicate, each mean something different. This is not my concern for this article, however the seriousness of making such a claim is what this article is concerned about.

We saints, especially long time saints, tend to speak in "Christianese" glibly spouting off cliches and buzz words and the most current catch phrase for the purpose of sounding spiritual. Well, there is a danger in that, just as there is a danger in claiming to be a "Spirit filled/led Christian"! Danger? What danger can there be in that?

The danger of judgment! Jesus said so plainly, yet we skim right over it in the Bible paying it little regard ... yet we had better pay close attention to it! What is "it" that I am referring to?

• "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37

If you claim to be a certain type of Christian (much less a Christian at all) be certain that you are what you are claiming!

Over my years as a Christian (more than 33 now) I have encountered saints who insist that they are "filled with the Holy Ghost" ... but never have anything new to report about God's involvement in their lives ... never speak of Jesus to other people ... never have a current praise report ... never seem joyful and never seem merciful!

Don't you think that if a person is "filled with God's Spirit" that he/she would at least be freely exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Or wouldn't they at least have a great overflowing, readily evident joy? Or wouldn't they be merciful towards those of us with faults? Or wouldn't they have new things to say about God's involvement in their lives or current praise reports?

At the very, very least, wouldn't they be open to and looking for and faithful to opportunities to bear witness of Jesus to other people?

At this point do we say "amen!" or "oh me!"?

Does our reality match our claim? Now I don't say all of this to be critical of anyone, but that we all examine ourselves and judge what changes, adjustments or corrections our lives may require.

The world desperately needs to see the TRUE Christ through us, full of grace and truth! Empty claims damage our witness ... but FALSE CLAIMS simply drive the lost further into the devil's darkness and away from the glorious light of the Gospel of Christ!

Let me admonish all of us ... LET'S BE REAL!
If we find that we are not truly Spirit filled/led, then let us strive to become so and let the development of the Holy Spirit's increasing presence and prevalence bring forth the fruit and works that need no claims!


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