I have an interesting relationship with the book of Romans. On one hand, I really enjoy it. It challenges me in a variety of different ways as I reflect on my lifestyle, my understanding of Scripture and my reliance on God’s Spirit. Paul is trying to lay out and demonstrate what life in the Spirit looks like.
He argues that the people of God aren’t bound to the law, but are instead bound to the Spirit. Therefore, God’s people should be living by the Spirit, not the flesh. There’s my 10 second recap of Romans.
Questions
On the other hand, the book of Romans usually creates more questions than gives answers. In the history of Christianity, in my opinion, Romans is one of the most debated books in the whole Bible.
There are whole denominations that have split over what Paul talks about in Romans. This is ironic considering Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit should unite us as children of God.
Paul says this in a number of different places. But he says it most clearly in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 3, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
How does this relate to the Presence of God? Good question!
In the Old Testament God’s Presence often followed the people of God. Actually, it was usually the leaders or the prophets that would experience the Presence of God in a more prominent way than most of the people. Enter the book of Acts and God’s Presence (and the controversial Holy Spirit) is everywhere.
It’s no longer just for individual people or specific situations. But seems to affect a lot of different people, sometimes without rhyme or reason.
So, how does the Holy Spirit and God’s Presence seem to disunite the church, when Paul argues that it should unite us?
Charismatics and Conservatives
This would be the time in which it would be appropriate to blame the charismatics in the group. Saying that there are people that have “misused” or “abused” the work of the Holy Spirit. Which is true.
But, I can also point out the other side of the coin. Especially with my roots and where I grew up, where the Holy Spirit wasn’t even mentioned.
It wasn’t until I stepped into a charismatic church and wondered what the heck was going on that my curiosity was sparked.
What I do know is that God’s Presence is talked about a lot in the Bible. My idea, as I enter back into the “real world” (from my life of missions) is to engage people in a lot of different contexts.
I want to talk to and develop relationships with people that don’t want anything to do with God, to the charismatic, to the very conservative. All having very different opinions and viewpoints.
My challenge to myself and the reader: Is it possible to unite around the Holy Spirit and God’s Presence? Can the church’s differences be strengths rather than weaknesses?
Jason LaLone was on staff at YWAM Brisbane and is currently in America working with Truro Anglican Church located in Fairfax, Virginia. He is passionate about discipleship, taking Jesus’ command to make disciples a practical reality that he can live on a daily basis. He loves lasagna, cats and used to dislike Monday's, making him most like Garfield.
Jason LaLone’s previous articles might be viewed at: http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/Jason-LaLone.html