Free Counseling . . .The Holy Spirit
Of Jesus, the prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 9:6 . . . And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace . . . . In John 14:25 Jesus tells his disciples that the Holy Spirit would be his replacement on earth until he returns, "These things I have spoken to you, while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you." This counseling and teaching also results in great comfort and peace. Acts 9:31 tells us, "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase."
We often forget that those people around us who are believers are indwelt by the Spirit: "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. . . . He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you." Romans 8:9,11b
God's design for the Church was that indwelt believers counsel each other in the context of community. Ephesians 4:15-- ". . .but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that wich every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love."
We are willing to pay someone
to accept us unconditionally
With the advent of professional couselors, many believers have abdicated their God-given responsibility to speak the truth in love to those who need it. Professional counselors certainly are necessary at times and provide needed help to many. Ironically, however, we are all too willing to pay someone to accept us unconditionally, but are not willing to be vulnerable to a group of people who know us and have experienced our patterns of behavior and relating. Furthermore, the Church has lost its stomach to deal with people who struggle with various problems ranging from personality disorders to child-rearing problems to sexual issues and just as soon send struggling people elsewhere for help. The Church admittedly has failed in the past to provide a safe place for sharing difficulties and receiving counsel without judgment. Ephesians 4 presents a body of believers who have various talents, gifts-- all given for the purpose of building one another up in the counsel of the Holy Spirit. A group of believers who recognize they did not bring anything to the table of salvation, but are among the Least, the Lost, the Littel & the Dead, are no longer in the judging business. Because their life is "hid with Christ in God" they are free to enter into peoples' lives and walk through difficulties with them.
Imagine the wisdom of God
available for free
Where does the wisdom come from to help people move in life-changing directions?-- You got it . . . the Holy Spirit working through a group of people who are totally dependent on Him for wisdom and direction. How does the Holy Spirit manifest himself in a body of belivers?
1. He reminds: "the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you"(John 14:26)
2. He glorifies: "He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."(John 16:14)
3. He pours out love: "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us"(Romans 5:5)
4. He assures: "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children"(Romans 8:16)
5. He seals believers: We are "marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit"(Ephesians 1:13)
6. He guarantees the future: "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."(2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
7. He annoints every believer with the truth: "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth . . .The anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you."(1 John 2:20,27)
Imagine a community where safety is assured and love is the only motivation for involvement . . . Imagine the wisdom of God available for FREE-- sounds a lot like grace-- sounds a lot like God's plan for the Church.