I was in church today and among other things, the issue of the Body of Christ was addresses along with our giftings - how our giftings are to be used to build up the Body. Yet, as I heard it I questioned the call because I wonder if we make room for prophets, those with discernment, those who are gifted and do not fit the mold.
I will not get into a theological debate over what gifts are still operating, but I seriously question whether or not church leaders are humbly willing to accept those with all the gifts as opposed to those gifts which easily fit the mode and model of "building up the church" - i.e. making people feel better.
Yet, the gift of discernment is given so people can see what is good and true and what is not. Prophecy (often) calls out the sin of the church. Do we really WANT those and recognize the importance of them in building up the Body of Christ?
In most churches, I doubt it. Personally, I know it is hard to receive a rebuke from a friend. I'd rather turn them away and say that they are wrong then to receive what they are saying as life and truth. Yet I have learned that those from the outside - who are outside my system of thinking - tend to see my blind spots, my sin, in much clearer ways then I ever could.
It has taken time (and still takes intentionality) but I am learning to be opening to rebukes and corrections, recognizing that they are of incredibly power in protecting me (and the church) from error and sin that they would otherwise fall into.
Now, do we make room for prophets - those who call out sin - both personally AND corporately?
Is this what prophecy is? I still think of prophets as Nostradamus types. But since you've brought up the spiritual gifts of discernment and prophecy, what about the gift of tongues? American Christians speak in tongues, but yet many believers are not open to this because there is not an interpreter present. But is it possible we are not being open to the mysteries of the Spirit and are super-strictly interpreting how this gift should be used? (You can see I have willfully gone on a tangent which you may indulge if you choose.) I am really curious about this gift of prophecy as you describe it -- as in, calling-out and speaking out about sin, instead of someone who sees into the future, like a palm reader.
ReplyDeleteI love your ramble-y comment. If you read through the prophets you'll see that the majority of what they're called to do is tell the leaders that they're in sin and call them to repent. New Testament prophecy is meant for the building up of the church - whether calling to repentance or giving a word of encouragement, not so much the future-istic forecasting.
ReplyDeleteYour comment is LOADED and there is MUCH to be said on these. There is a growing movement of churches that believe that tongues and prophecy are still active (Mark Driscoll's church and Sovereign Grace) and Pentecostal denominations have long since advocated it. We should chat about it.
Yes, the Spirit is at work in ways we do not often anticipate or expect, and I think we often do close ourselves off to his work when we don't acknowledge it.