21 SEPTEMBER 2018 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Connecting 'Gifts' vs 'Fruit' of Spirit The Body of Christ today is more knowledgeable then ever before in the area of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but we are extremely lacking in the area of understanding our spiritual “fruit.” We need to make sure that we connect the “fruit of the spirit” with the “gifts of the Spirit”. Let's start by identifying what the Word of God means by “gifts” versus “fruit.” In the book of James 1:17 says; ...”Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all light, in Whom there can be no variation or shadow cast by His turning.” (James 1:17) Also in the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians reveals the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit that are given to every believer: ...“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discern- ing of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all theses worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (1 Corinthians) Just as people are all dif- ferent, the gifts are different for each person, but they are all given to us by the same Spirit. He may give one person the word of wisdom and to another the gift of healing. The key word here is that they are all gifts. You can't do nothing to earn these gifts, because you receive them according to the will of the Holy Spirit. During my time of prayer, the Lord also allowed me to understand that gifts confirm the Word of the Lord. In other words, whether you receive a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, prophecy, or speak in tongues it confirms what God is saying to you or doing through you. The “fruit of the Spirit, on the other hand, is the expression of our renewed nature as it is seen by others. (Galatians 5:22-23) tells us what this “fruit” is: ..”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- ness, temperance: against such there is no law. God began to deal with me about the difference between “gifts & fruit” when I recognized that my time of meditation and prayer with Him was becom- ing more intense. I sensed that I needed this fruit in my life more than any gift I possess. 1 Corinthians 13:8 says, “whether there be prophecies, they shall fail. Whether there be tongues, they shall cease...” The gifts of the Spirit are temporal but the fruit of the Spirit is eternal. God give us the gifts of the Spirit to serve His purpose; each is designed with others in mind. The fruit of the Spirit represents the nature and character of God that abides in us. As God transforms our character, it takes us from level to level in this life and leads us into the next (2 Cor. 3:18). Christ is coming back for His body, which is the Church. He's coming for those who pos- sess His nature. It doesn't matter whether or not you speak in tongues or if God uses you to prophesy. Jesus is com- ing back to connect with those who possess His own nature; and that goes far beyond mere- ly exercising spiritual gifts. Consider what Matthew 7:22- 23 says; “Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to then openly, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly.” All of us need to be certain that our name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life! When I read this scripture, I asked myself, “What does God want from the body of Christ? He wants us to stop playing church and be about Our Father's business and genuinely carry the fruits of the spirit. You can't carry love when you give hate most of the time, you can't carry peace when rising hell all the time etc... He doesn't want the newest spirituality fad in society; there's already a great gathering of people who attend conferences, but they don't necessarily receive the “fruit” He desires. So often these same people who praise in the meet- ing go to the product tables and fight over books and tapes, or worst then that leave the conference and get right back in the flesh. In the conference and or church some folks are so full or pretend to be caught up in the spirit, right after church they are telling somebody off or cussing out somebody. This should not be! If you are a believer, a child of God, first and foremost God wants us to display His character in all that we do. He wants the “fruit of the Spirit” to operate in you to the degree that you obey His commands and become a reflection of Him at all times and of the fruits of the spirit”. Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove and her husband Pastor Lee Grove are Associate Pastors at the Potters House of Denver. They are the Founders of Heavenly Sent Ministries. Dr. Grove can be reached at pmwynn9@msn.com By Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove When I read this scripture, I asked myself, “What does God want from the body of Christ? He wants us to stop playing church and be about Our Father's business and genuinely carry the fruits of the spirit. You can't carry love when you give hate most of the time, you can't carry peace when rising hell all the time. Luke chapter 8 : vs 4 : ”And when a great multitude had gathered and they had come to him from every city he spoke by a parable. “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed some fell by the way- side….” Vs 9: “Then his disciples asked him say- ing, what does this parable mean? And he said to them, to you it has been given to know.” The Greek word there to know is the Greek word ginosko, to see by revela- tion. By revelation of the Spirit of God. For you it has been given to ginosko, to know. To receive by revelation not by information. How do you know a man that has understanding? He does not dwell only on knowledge that came by information. But he also is able to dwell on knowledge that comes by revelation. “For you it has been given to know.” Vs. 11, “Now the parable is this, the seed the word of God.” And he began to explain to them. Vs. 10 “And he said to you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God but to the rest it has been given in parables that seeing they may not see and hearing…” How many of you have been in a lec- ture, the professor gives the lecture and you heard everything he said but you didn’t understand nothing. Somebody said Pastor you kept repeating your- self, I said, I was a teacher and I was a math teacher. I’ve seen people like you in my class. Sitting down laughing at jokes but understand nothing. So, I come from various angles that if you can’t get it on this one at least you will get it on this one. Because if I’m teach- ing you and you don’t understand my effort is fruitless. And the very, very brilliant of them said, “no Pastor too much example just say it once.” I asked him what did I preach last week? He can’t remember. The devil is pushing him to get more information but never revelation. My prayer is that you will understand. Understanding is very important. That they will hear. Proverbs Chapter 8 vs 14 -18 “Counsel is mine, and sound wis- dom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me King’s reign, and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. I love those who love me. And those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me. Enduring riches and righteousness.” Many people don’t give attention to understanding. Many people have closed the door before royalty. Even though they knew, but lack of under- standing has made them to be pushed out. There are certain things you don’t say if you have understanding. Especially to your boss if you want to be promoted. Even in the church if you want to be recognized. There are certain things you just don’t say. Let me tell you one thing that God never abolished. The law of honor was never abolished. Calvary never took away honor in fact it enforced it. BREAKTHROUGH ... continued from page 17 SCRIPTURE