A Believer’s Gifts
Believers discover their gifts as they travel down the road
of life. One such gift is helping
others. But its purpose is not only to
enrich people - the poor and well-to-do alike, but to enlighten them. To accomplish these blessings, it is
necessary to have an active spiritual life.
A French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher Voltaire (1694–1778) wrote, “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to
us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” What follows is a focus on some of our
wonderful gifts e.g., Nature, Knowledge, Peace, and Holy Spirit.
Nature - A liberal politician, philanthropist, and scientist John
Lubbock (1834–1913)
said, “Earth and sky, woods and fields,
lakes and rivers, the mountains and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and
teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.” With ecologically consciousness minds there’s
much talk about caring for nature. Each
day people should care for the trees, rivers, lakes, mountains and
valleys. They should experience the
surge in the life for birds, fishes, and the abundance of wildlife in parks,
forests, and jungles. Unlike information
in books Lubbock saw nature as teaching us valuable lessons. It gives us comfort, food, clothing, and
medicine.
Knowledge - A Classical Greek philosopher Socrates (470/469–399 BCE) wrote, “To know, is to know that you know
nothing. That is the meaning of true
knowledge.” Socrates was referring
to human senses that are deceptive. Even
with science and empirical studies there are often errors. Many people experience the hardship of life,
difficulties, and illness that teach lessons.
As they endeavor to understand life’s questions their thoughts are often
polluted by their undeveloped senses. With
some studies they are left wondering about the knowledge they once thought was true. With such changes they might conclude like
the preeminent English poet and playwright William Shakespeare (1564–1616): “Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge
the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”
True knowledge could only be found through the Holy Spirit.
Peace - An Indian politician and attorney Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) said, “An eye for an eye only ends up making the
whole world blind.” That is why
forgiving our fellowmen and women are important. And with life’s possibilities people become
channels of peace. It’s wise to practice
purity, and view this virtue as a goal to perpetuate. As the German-born physicist Albert Einstein
(1879–1955) wrote, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only
be achieved by understanding.” In order to find peace problems arising
between nations must be candidly discussed to find solutions.
Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is a gift from God. This is the greatest outpouring any believer
could have. Undoubtedly, he is a
life-giving force and the light of life.
By him believers enjoy a supreme quality of life - that is enlightening,
and full of everlasting love. The Holy
Spirit’s presence is sustained by a lifestyle of caring, and compassion toward others. By living piously believers partake of this
abiding truth of the Spirit. A senior pastor of the First Baptist Church
Charles Stanley (b. 1932) said, “Earthly
wisdom is doing what comes naturally.
Godly wisdom is doing what the Holy Spirit compels us to do.” So
that’s why believers should strive to be led by the Spirit of Life.
Comments
Post a Comment