THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
“No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)
The Spirit of God is the Spirit of revelation, telling us about Jesus.
The Spirit is constantly pointing our minds to Jesus, whether we realize it or not.
He does this for everyone, everywhere, always, whispering Jesus into our souls.
Is Paul saying here that those who say ‘Jesus is Lord’ were made to say this?
Or is he saying that the Spirit is the reason why people were able to say it in the first place?
Not everyone responds to the Spirit’s leading, but those who do must credit the Spirit for it.
Not everyone says ‘Jesus is Lord’, but those who do are responding to the Spirit’s prompting.
And no one can blame the Spirit for their NOT choosing Jesus, or choosing other beliefs.
However the interplay between the Spirit and our free will works, we are still responsible.
For me, this verse encourages me to pay attention to the Spirit’s prompting.
He is encouraging me to embrace Jesus as my Lord, and to live by that confession.
When faced with a decision or challenge or temptation, He is urging me, ‘Jesus is Lord’.
‘Seek Him, submit to Him, serve Him, He is your Lord!’
In this chapter we will consider different kinds of manifestations of the Spirit of Jesus.
But Paul’s point throughout is that the manifestations are secondary.
They are The Spirit’s way of strengthening our love for Jesus and for each other.
The Spirit does NOT prompt us to say ‘miracles, tongues, healings, signs, wonders, gifts, etc…’
His message and purpose are one: to bring us to Jesus, and to live in His love!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to hear the Spirit’s prompting, and to respond with faith, hope and love. Help me not to get sidetracked by secondary things. Help me to love You, and to love others with, like and for You!