Tuesday 09 June 2009

Background

We live in a world that is full of broken promises. We will lookafter your money say the banks; we promise to stay faithful 'tilldeath us do part' say couples. In a world where God is not heldcentral, there is a tendency towards self-interest. Whether thatmeans holding power over others, or the ethics of big businesswhere shareholder's profits are the most important consideration,we don't have to look far to see broken promises. But Paul, in thisletter to the Corinthian Church, writes that in Jesus Christ, everyone of God's promises is a faithful and resounding YES. God'spromises stand out from the crowd.

Linked to the "yes" of God's promises is the outpouring of the HolySpirit. Paul describes this as an instalment or deposit: aguarantee that the rest will follow. Of course, we continue toyearn for more, for a complete outpouring of the Spirit. And itshould be our constant cry - that the Lord might send more of theSpirit. Perhaps we can find a positive aspect to our yearning formore.

In Corinth (in Greece) there were leaders who thought they wereanointed with the Spirit in a way that others were not - and morefully than Paul himself. So Paul wants his letters to guide them intwo ways:

• Second, that however well things are going now, this is only aglimpse of heaven to inspire people and to urge us on to make God'skingdom more of a reality on earth.

So, as we yearn for more of God's Spirit, we can bereminded to be humble when assessing our gifts and abilities. Weare also reminded of the much bigger picture of all that God isachieving through God's Spirit in the world, and give thanks thatwe can be part of something so amazing and exciting.

To Ponder

When have you asked for more of God's Spirit?What happened?

How can we seek God's glory through our attemptsto live a good life, and not our own glory?

What does it mean for you to trust God whose"yes" to humanity is Jesus Christ who suffered, died and was raisedto life?