Spirit to Spirit
When was the last time you really connected with someone in a deep and meaningful way? It might have been with someone who was a close friend or relative, or it could have been with someone that you didn’t know very well. What was that connection; how would you define it? We have different expressions to describe it – “a heart to heart conversation” – “I wanted to bare my soul” – “can you feel me?” These are expressions of a sense of inner connection between people. These bonds are important to us because they lead us to feel we are “with” others and not lonely or isolated.
This kind of connectedness is foundational in the Christian faith. In Jesus we are adopted into an eternal family relationship with other believers. We are brought into a “spirit of unity” and “bond of peace;” we are part of the “family of God” and “members of one body.” “God puts the lonely in families …” (Psalm 68:6)
In the beginning of Romans Paul describes his desire to meet the believers in Rome. He writes, “I long to see you so I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (Romans 1:11-12) Paul knows that when they get together there will be a spiritual connection. He has learned how to pass on spiritual truth in a deep – heart to heart, soul to soul, spirit to spirit – way. This profound, mutual kind of encouragement is one of the benefits of Christian fellowship. We have been given ability in the Holy Spirit to impart “gracelets” – little packages of God’s gracious power and insight – to each other. A very powerful aspect of our community of faith is giving and receiving in the spiritual realm. The Holy Spirit will enable you to do and say things that are beyond your natural ability to build and strengthen others in their faith.
This kind of spiritual impartation happens quite frequently among believers whether they realize it or not. It is so powerful and so fun to be used and to receive spiritually, however, we would all do well to grow in our ability to discern when God is moving among us in this way. Thus Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that he didn’t want them to be ignorant of spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:1) When you get with others, look for ways that God may want to encourage and strengthen them. Honor God’s purposes in your relationship, and see how He might use you to mutually spur each other on. Listen to what God might be saying through them, and allow God to use your words to build, clarify and hearten them. This is what it is like for believers to get together. There is a spirit to spirit connection in the power of the Holy Spirit. You, like Paul, can do this in Christ. You can learn to impart spiritual gifts to others.
Looking to Spiritually Encourage you,
Pastor Tom
