I don't get politics but...

I was listening to a lecture by some guy called John Piper. He quoted some Bible that says "Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit." It's from 1 Corinthians 12, if you're interested.

What I found most intriguing was that what John Piper started to explain was the meaning of the passage, was not at all what I expected him to say. The reason I say this is because Piper is one of those good bible teachers that you trust most things he says. One thing I also know is that 1 Corinthians was not a letter written to Bethlehem Baptist Church (of which Piper is a preacher). If it was it would called something like 'Paul's first Epistle to that future church of Bethlehem (not in Israel) of the denomination Baptist (no relation to John the Baptist)' At least I'm pretty sure.

What Piper said as a nice explanation of the verse, regardless of the fact that he was using it to illustrate a different point to the text itself - it talking about gifts of the spirit and the nature of that Spirit. He decided a good way to explain this text by applying it an actor on stage.
'An actor,' this is a paraphrase of what he was saying, 'can perfectly easily say "Jesus is Lord" without having that Spirit. That's not the point of the text. Basically the text is really saying that no one can claim Jesus is Lord of their life and really mean it.'
Before I start to really lay into old John, I'm not saying he's wrong. He's right. It just struck me there is a much greater and easier explanation of the verse.

In the context of the letter, obviously, this pagan non-Jewish collection of Christians were a little confused and their church was going a bit wacky. On top of that, it was a city situated in the depths of the Roman Empire, and as much as Christianity was growing through any means possible, the fastest growing cult of the day was the 'Caesar cult.' The majority of citizens in the Roman Empire believed Caesar was descended from the gods, he was a son of god and was the Lord of the world. So many people believed this that there was a danger to even consider that someone else could be 'Lord.' I hope you know where I'm going.

A truly dangerous thing to do would be to claim that someone other than Caesar is Lord. Jesus for example. In fact, the implications of saying Jesus is Lord, is to inadvertently draw on the assumption that therefore Caesar isn't. So an encouragement would be to tell people who are bringing immense judgment on themselves actually have the Spirit of Jesus in them.

And what an encouragement all the more that if you're saying this and trying to live a life where some man deluded by power isn't dictating your life, but Jesus son of the Living God, who is risen from the dead is ruling you life, then there are some great gifts on offer for you?! Well. I'd say enough said, but I might just follow through a little more. Paul has written:

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone."

So he says on this subject of gifts of the Spirit, just remember who you were first. You were led astray by all manner of distractions. Don't be ignorant in this. There are gifts on offer if you'd just pay some attention (key word is gift brothers). You should have full assurance that if you're claiming Jesus is Lord and therefore Caesar isn't then you have the Holy Spirit living in you. Does that make you feel good or what?

This spirit gives you loads of different gifts, and there are different things you can do as a Christian because of this one Lord, you're stuck with doing one thing. But whether there is some kind of special work of the spirit by a gift that builds the church's spirit, or a gift of service that you do empowered by that same Lord that builds the church's body, either way, it's the God, the God of Israel, that empowers these acts in everyone.

I have to be honest that sits right with me. In today's society, obviously, we don't have a massive empire, claiming to be immortal, with a dictator who is convinced he is a son of god - though there are some pretty crazy people in power; there always are, I guess. It takes a bit of work to get that to fit with the Western culture, but the understanding fits with the writing in a much truer way.

Be encouraged then, if you stand on your faith even though it brings persecution, that should serve as a reminder that the gift of the Holy Spirit, and all His gifts remain on offer. Is Jesus King in your life? Then be encouraged that every act of service you do, or any point where you allow God to work through you, you are a true channel of the Spirit of Jesus.

Well done!