CORINTHIAN CHURCH VIRTUES 2
This was totally spontaneous, entirely their own idea, and caught us completely off guard. What explains it was that they had first given themselves unreservedly to God and to us. The other giving simply flowed out of the purposes of God working in their lives. That's what prompted us to ask Titus to bring the relief offering to your attention, so that what was so well begun could be finished up. You do so well in so many things—you trust God, you're articulate, you're insightful, you're passionate, you love us—now, do your best in this, too. 2Corin 8:5-7 MSG
UTTERANCE
Praise the Lord! The church of the living God grew and multiplied! Also was the Word of God. The holy assembly, church did not leave homes its altitude, such noiseless gatherings run and tested for a century 100AD. Suffice to say, God never intended to have church migrated from homes because that in itself, is already an overdo. God's priority and determination is to dwell in our hearts, sanctified for Him. Let it be clear and known to you that God is returning Church to where the Bible kept it in 100AD. Building special houses for God aside the ones already built is completely out of it, practically uncalled for. The reason is obvious: BIBLE DOES NOT NEED AN UPGRADE!
Shortly before making quick, short notes on the virtue "utterance" imagine this: You starting a business, being the CEO, founder and president employed about 20 skilled and semiskilled labourers as all things started well until some 20 months later when you uncover some funny things - one of your employees started his own business under your auspices and running it successfully. He'd come to office but focus on his own business, then get paid. Can I just ask you most honourable CEO: how will you feel about the smart guy or try show him some everlasting love?
See brother, church is strictly the Father's business and never ours. It's forbidden to stealthily lead the flock away from their Lord to form another small group for your "humble self". The Lord also said in Matt 16:18, "....I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Clearly, it means the Lord Himself is building His invisible church, though not oblivious to us all and nothing can or will stop it, as we always knew those who belong to God! Even if anyone will do God's work, he may only at best work as an employee - doing what the CEO says!
In John 12:36, the Master having answered some Greeks that wanted to see Him, departed from them and hid Himself. The heathens were always after wisdom, wise tips, life nuggets, some enriching talks but not really after God, so Jesus Christ separated Himself by socially distancing Himself from their ways. For emphasis, know that the Lord walked out of the temple Matt 24 and decreed an end to such ventures that obscure God and His Jesus, sent from above. "Not a stone will be left on another, everything will be thrown down!" Building buildings don't help God's work, it always obstruct His moves. Heaven forbids that you're found "rebuilding" and lifting the very things the Lord pulled down on His way to calvary by the word of His power.
Now, the church at Corinth was good at UTTERANCE, they always knew what say, do and were never stranded. They had the flow of words and words of wisdom. Their faith was so alive that no impossibility was ever found in them. Unlike Lucifer which looked good and perfect until the time iniquity was found lurking in His heart. To the Corinthian church, God can do all things. Even if He chose otherwise, it could only have made them more ARTICULATE handling His affairs than restrain them. They always said it and things came out just that! The virtue/gift of utterance paved way for the Corinthian church, so, were never at any point angry with God - there was no reason for such attitude. Yes, they believed God would do it and eventually, He did. This seem like a missing virtue in our own practice/belief today. Then, we yell when things go bad, probably for doubts! Repent
Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Jesus is dynamic and articulate. And so is the Church He graciously started in its resemblance. Is anyone angry and frustrated because of utterance - for what God said but hasn't been? Change your seating which is giving you the wrong perceptions of God! Don't be like Jonah the designated prophet to Nineveh who failed the Spirit's dynamism test and never sensed it even when God changed directions. In the book of Jonah chapter One through Four, prophet Jonah became angry severally about the "cheap" saving ways of God, the dynamism of His grace, yet God was gracious and meticulous in saving people. God came down and saved Nineveh and its teeming populace. Excuse me, prophet Jonah ended being used and dumped! That's all.
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