The Aroma of Christ

Wow, its been a while since I've posted. Perhaps its time to get the internet at church so I don't have so much competition for the computer.

The last couple of Sundays we've been studying 2 Corinthians 2:14-3:6. We've talked about being the aroma of Christ and the fact that God uses us to spread the fragrance of life to those who are being saved. Last week we talked about being involved in a spiritual ministry. True ministry consists not in attempting to get people to behave by following rules, but in being used by God to help transform the human heart. We are competent for this type of ministry only because of our relationship with Christ. It is obedience to Him that allows us to be competent to minister to others.

I was thinking about the disciples this morning. They had spent three years with Jesus. They heard the teachings, saw the miracles and watched Jesus up close. They were blown away by the resurrection and spent time with Him before he went back to heaven.

They certainly knew enough about Jesus to teach a Sunday School class or lead a Bible Study! But Jesus had an important message for them. He told them to wait in Jerusalem until they had been baptized by the Holy Spirit and that this Holy Spirit would empower them to be witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:4-8).

Why was this necessary? They knew enough to teach others, but they were told to wait for the Holy Spirit. As we read the book of Acts, we see that the disciples were led by the Spirit in their ministry. Being "led by the Spirit" is not a blanket phrase to cover all that is done in the name of Christ, rather it is a description of how they did ministry. They waited on and followed the directives of the Holy Spirit as they sought to spread the gospel. This was a key for their ministry.

How much more do we need to be Spirit-led in all we do! Yet many are unfamiliar with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their own lives. Let us all take time to examine our lives regarding whether we know the Holy Spirit by experience. If we don't, let us ask God to fill us with His Spirit that we might be truly led by the Spirit.