Evidences of Grace Starter’s Kit

A couple days ago I had the privilege of attending Resolved 2009, which is a conference featuring a five God fearing men giving sermons that are germane to the theme of the year. This year’s theme was Sin and oh what a sanctifying, purifying, and humbling effect this conference had in my heart. I am going to try and blog about different ideas that have been profitable to me, but for this post I do want to write about one conception that has given birth to a practical approach in the pursuit of personal sanctification. Here’s an snippet from CJ Mahaney’s message Who’s Really at Work? (you can find an mp3 here) at the conference (This quote is not entirely accurate).

If your Christian, within a few moments of interacting with you, I think by God’s grace I can discern evidence of grace in your life. It’s not that I am an unusually gifted leader or advanced in my discernment. No. No. What I have done for a number of years is that I have studied two lists in some detail. The Fruit of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit, I call this my Evidences of Grace starter’s kit that I recommend to you all… You study these two lists. Two categories. You familiarize yourself with these two lists and two categories and you will look up from your bible with new eyes perceiving God at work everywhere you look. And perceiving God at work in your life.

-CJ Mahaney

Fruits of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23

Gifts of the Spirit:
Operative: Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, Showing Mercy (compassion) – Romans 12:6-8.
Administrative: Apostolic, Prophetic, Evangelical, Pastoral, Teaching – Ephesians 4:11
Charismatic (gifts that are sovereignly and supernaturally bestowed by the Holy Spirit): Wisdom, Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits, Speaking/Interpretation of tongues, Prophecy, Faith, Working of miracles, and Healing – 1 Corinthians 12:1-14

I hope to familiarize myself with these gifts; that when I see the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit in my fellow redeemed, I would be able to glory in the Father who gave us his Son, the Son who allowed us Salvation and the Spirit who is at work of sanctification for all who are saved.

My Pastor once said, “In order to sanctify yourself, you must first see the sanctification of others” which really is an echo of CJ’s excerpt above.

The institution of the Holy Spirit envisaged the sanctification of the believer’s soul, but in part of sanctification there comes obedience to the Great commandments which is to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as we do ourselves.

Mahaney’s simple application has brought to me a joy in understanding the need to seek sanctification by directing my attention the sight of a most holy and magnificent God. A God who’s knowledge is vast beyond measure. An infinite God who gives grace. A God, spectacular in His display of love. A glorious God, who is worthy of all praise for His gracious work in His children.

My prayer is that I will be able to discern the Evidences of the Grace of God by familiarizing myself with the Fruits of the Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit so that I may  pursue personal sanctification in knowing His testimonies constantly and to live in the character of the redeemed as a witness of the Lord most high.

I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!

-Psalm 119:125

Thank You Resolved. Thank You CJ. And most of all Thank You Lord who is worthy to be praised. Truly, truly Sin is a great adversary, but I have an even greater ally. Christ who is the Prince of Peace and the King of Kings.

-Alex Yi