More Than Words
“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church 95% of what they did would stop and everybody would know the difference.” -A.W. Tozer, “Reflections,” Christianity Today 29 (Dec. 13, 1985):46.
When is the last time Scripture changed you? When is the last time you read something in the Bible that caused you to stop, repent, and change? I ask this question because if you’re anything like me, you may walk away from a daily scripture reading with a lot of information, but you aren’t changed. You may read about God speaking to Moses through the burning bush and think, “Hmm… interesting.” You may study the ten plagues cast upon Egypt and go about your day without a second thought. But, when was the last time you read Scripture, and the words changed you?
The inspiration for this question came about after a frustrating few weeks in my personal life. I wrote a lovely blog post with eloquent parallels between a popular show and biblical truth, but it just didn’t feel...right. I didn’t pray about the words as I wrote them, because I wanted my way to be the right way. Even though my words poured out of me, I shushed the louder words in my ears, which said, “this isn’t best.” I ran the idea of the post by my husband, and he questioned the direction as well. Well, phooey. I spent the next few weeks in a pout with the Lord. My inner monologue reasoned something like, “Well, fine. I just won’t write, then.” Isn’t that ridiculous? You’d think I’d read my own words from my last blog post and learned my lesson. But I didn’t. Spoiler alert: I’m still broken and in need of redemption.
Along with my dramatic conversations with the Lord, the theme of spiritual gifts keeps popping up in my life. I often struggle with overall direction; what ministry should I pour into, how does He want me to use what He’s given me, what ‘big picture’ things am I missing? I attended a conference a few weeks ago, and one of the breakout sessions had us list some of the ways God has uniquely created us. I listed all of the superficial things and a few of the deeper ones. It didn’t feel like the list was complete, but I went along my way. Before the start of the next session, a sweet woman stopped me out of the blue and shared some of the most loving words I’ve ever heard. She shared how Sammi’s Story impacted her, but the main reason she came over was that she felt compelled to tell me that I was faithful. She wanted to reach out before, but felt compelled to tell me right then that God needed me to know that I was faithful. As you can imagine, Free Range Tears Alex cried all over that sweet woman and my friend once I got back to my seat. Okay, Lord, I hear you. Message received.
Alright, then. I’m faithful. Now what? The next Sunday, our church announced the topic of the next equipping class: Spiritual Gifts. Okay, Lord, I’m listening. I’ve taken spiritual gifts quizzes before, but this test rendered some new results. I’ll give you one guess about my top gift. You got it, faithfulness.
This past Saturday morning, I woke up early to spend some time in the Word. I’m going through Jen Wilkin’s study of Exodus, and I just finished studying the tenth plague. The last application question directed me to 1 Timothy 4:11-16, and I couldn’t believe what I read:
“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
Seriously, what on earth is happening? I neglected to mention my second and third gifts: exhortation and teaching. You’d best believe I walked away changed after reading that passage. These words aren’t recommendations or vague words of wisdom. Scripture is clear: teach the truth (verse 11), set an example (verse 12), devote yourself to teaching and exhortation (verse 13), don’t neglect your gift (verse 14), practice the aforementioned for the betterment of all (verse 15), and watch yourself (verse 16). The last sentence absolutely levels me: “Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers.” A little context is needed because the text is not suggesting that we are the ones doing the saving. Romans 10:13-14, 17 (ESV) states:
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [...] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Following the logic in Romans, people come to know Christ by hearing about Him. They hear about Him through the words of someone talking about Him. And where do they hear about Him? They hear about Him from you and me, friend.
A Heart Check
The A.W. Tozer quote at the beginning of this post stings every time I hear it. Those words sting as I consider that I am the one who gets stuck in the motions and rhythms of “doing good things” with or without the Holy Spirit’s guidance. I am the one who read about the interaction of God meeting Moses at the burning bush and thought, “Hmm… interesting” and went about my day. He already addressed the Moses-like stubbornness in my heart back in January! Why can’t I remember? I am the one who read about the stubbornness of Pharaoh and didn’t see the same stubbornness in my own heart.
So, y’all are stuck with me. As long as He asks me to write and share what He’s doing in me, I’ll keep sharing. Until I meet Him face to face, I’ll keep sharing what He has done. How about you, friend? Will you join me as we apply the words of 1 Timothy 4:11-16? Will you join me as we teach others about the truth? Will you join me as we use our God-given gifts for the glory of the Kingdom? Will you persist with me?
Prayer to Persist
God, please forgive my obstinate heart! Thank you for extending grace and forgiveness to me, despite my recurring toddler tantrums. Father, I pray that you would bring 1 Timothy 4:11-16 to fruition in my life and anyone else reading these words. Help us to devote ourselves to your Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching until you come back. Help us to use the gifts you’ve given us and help us practice what is best. And, please use our inevitable hot messes for your glory. Father, please help us persist. Please infuse us with courage as we deliver the good news.
