From the Cross to Clarity: The Ripple Effect of Spiritual Insight (02/28/'24)*

From the Cross to Clarity: The Ripple Effect of Spiritual Insight In the intricate tapestry of spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit—such as the abilities to prophesy, teach, and heal—misuse of these gifts tarnishes their divine purpose, transforming sacred exchanges into a cacophony reminiscent of a bustling marketplace fraught with deception, hidden agendas, and folly. This misuse distorts the essence of these gifts, much like envisioning Jesus devoid of His crucifixion strips Him of His defining role as the Christ. Similarly, a church that sidelines the crucifixion loses its core identity, for the foundational message of the Gospel is anchored not in the dichotomy of heaven and hell, but in the profound significance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The Gospel, centered on the cross, unfolds like a ripple effect, emanating from a point of luminous truth into the expanses of darkness and ignorance. This principle underscores a spiritual journey that begins with addressing the immediate and tangible, from which the management and understanding of more complex, distant matters naturally follow. The act of illuminating the evident paves the way to discerning the obscured, guided unfailingly by God’s will, which directs us from the known to the unknown in our quest for truth. This message serves as a beacon, encouraging believers to navigate from the proximate and comprehensible aspects of faith toward the mastery of its profound, often hidden dimensions, assured by the constant guidance of God's will towards the path of righteousness. ~ Pastor Steven G. Lee (February 28, 2024) Cross References include key biblical passages such as 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, Matthew 12:31-32; 5:15; 13:11,35; 11:25-27; John 1:5; 3:16,19,20; 14:26, among others, offering a scriptural foundation for these insights.