Super 95 Gasoline!
We rented a car on a recent trip to Paraguay. As the person handed us the keys he said,
“Señors, only use Super 95 gasoline!!!”
We drove over 1300 miles. It was an interesting experience to say the least. Paraguay has very different “rules of the road” which led to several close calls, an almost high speed head-on collision, and a totally rigged traffic ticket costing us $100.
However the scariest moment happened while trying to pass a very slow truck. The car’s engine began to miss. The power went off and on and off again. The oncoming traffic grew large in our windshield. Just in the nick of time we crept passed the truck and back in our lane. For several hours we struggled just to keep going. We prayed and eventually we made it to our destination.
Turns out the problem was from not using “Super 95” gasoline. We had unknowingly used lesser quality gas that wasn’t as pure. The impurities resulted in the on-and-off-again engine performance.
Grace that doesn’t lead to holiness isn’t grace at all
There is a very twisted view of grace that lowers the bar on sin. As the bar goes lower, actions, attitudes, and lifestyles once considered off limits for Christians become acceptable.
Grace certainly covers sins, but more importantly grace empowers our lives. We should not live in reaction against things that are wrong, but we should live in response to what God is wanting do and not allow anything to hinder it. The whole issue of “being like Jesus” is not about acting a certain way, but becoming vessels that the pure flow of God’s power can be released.
It’s not okay to be followers of Jesus who desire a move of God’s supernatural power but walk in same mire acceptable to the world. But it’s also not okay as followers of Jesus to be nice guys who walk uprightly, but have no power.
Quenching or grieving the Spirit?
Go back to the rental car in Paraguay. What would’ve been worse: to pass the slow traffic with an engine that’s missing, or stay behind the slow traffic with an engine that’s running perfect?
What’s more important to not quench the Holy Spirit, or to not grieve the Holy Spirit? Quenching is about power, and grieving is about purity. You can’t choose one over the other. It’s impossible to lack godly character and attempt to walk in power. It’s offensive to God, but equally offensive is people who walk in character but don’t walk in power.
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