Follow the Spirit but expect major bumps on the way

Every day we’re asking four questions about part of the Bible. Today Bern Leckie answers:

What did I like about today’s passage?

This passage reminds me what an incredible, awesome, mind-blowing thing it is to be walking with Jesus, full of wonders as the Spirit works in and around us, changing things, including our minds. It also reminds me how difficult we find change, and how close I always am (maybe you too?) to confusing closeness to God with understanding of God. I believe God lives in me! So why shouldn’t I also believe that my opinions are also correct, from him, unchallengeable?

Maybe this was the problem which was so big, it nearly ripped the early church apart. Paul famously argued with the people who wanted Christians to be circumcised and follow Jewish laws, but this passage shows that those people were not outside the church body of believers. Look at chapter 15 verse 5: “Then some of the believers… stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised…’” Believers! Not troublemakers outside the church, but people filled with the Spirit, sharing the walk with Jesus too. With this faith, their spiritual experience and a lifetime’s knowledge of studying and following God’s laws, why wouldn’t they think they were right about this? And if they were right, why not pursue this line with passion and vigour?

But we know from the rest of the story that God has spoken to Peter, changed his mind, and turned around Saul’s life into Paul’s mission to Gentiles. I love how the work God has done in the least expected places helps illuminate ancient prophecy and starts changing more minds among the believers. I love how God guides leadership in the church to make commitments to inclusion which many would have found shocking and unlawful. From Paul’s letters, we know this was not the end of the argument! But I love how God leads people through change.

I’m also loving how God uses these leaders’ differences, even their flaws. How could there be any good in Paul and Barnabas splitting up over differences in trusting someone? For one thing, they had two mission trips instead of one! Paul’s sounds incredibly fruitful, and as he had to rely on new partners, more people got to grow their ability to minister and strengthen others. I love Paul’s adventures showing the power of the Spirit when in prison too. Boom!

What amazing stuff Mark missed. Do you think he regretted that forever? Who knows, but we’re pretty sure that God took him on a different path with something else in mind. He is thought to be the author of the gospel story which sourced Matthew and Luke’s gospels too.

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God advances his kingdom by changing people’s minds, not just from unbelievers to believers, but within believers who learn more about the Spirit’s work and intentions over time. God does not choose to make every believer identical in personality or outlook, and he takes each of us on difficult journeys. But God gets glorified on a huge scale as diverse people engage with change, move and, from many different directions, end up pointing to him.

What am I going to do differently as a result?

Hold my opinions more lightly, look for the Spirit’s work and changes more seriously.

Who am I going to share this with?

Some people I believe the Spirit may have been drawing from the fringes into deeper faith.