6/17/13- The Spirit of the Church

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

Thoughts: Just because something is religious or spiritual does not make it Christian or right.  In this passage we are told to "test the spirits to see if they are from God."  It is naive to think that because an institution labels itself as something we can trust their label.  Jesus warns us about false prophets as well (Mt. 24) and wolves in sheep's clothing (Mt. 7:15; Acts 20).  
      Wherever two or three are gathered in His name- there He is in their midst.  When Christ is present- the Church exists.  But when a church denies the Christ- divinity or humanity- it is not gathered in His name- but some other name.  The Spirit of God forms the Church of God- so we must test the Spirits.  The Spirit of God does not fight against God's Word, but makes that Word real- illuminating it to us.  When the Spirit has disappeared, the life of the Church has disappeared as well, leaving dryness and either legalism of the right or left.  

Prayer: Holy Spirit, be in me.  Cause me to come together in your name.