Pursuing the Gift of ProphecyÀpẹrẹ

Day 5 - The Importance of Community

There are two places in the Bible where it talks about the gifts of the Spirit and love at length. The Bible talks about God's miraculous power and love throughout, but there are two places where it gives it a more lengthy definition. Those two places are 1 Corinthians 12-14 and Romans 12.

In both passages, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of community. It’s important to remember that in both places, it talks about the gifts and love at length; it also directs us to pursue this inside a healthy community of fellow believers. We are not called to be lone rangers. We are not called to follow Jesus all by ourselves. Romans 12:4 For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body’s parts do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. (NASB)

As we pursue, understand, and grow in the gifts of the spirit, but especially prophecy, we learn and grow faster inside a healthy community of believers. We become sharper in our ability to partner with the Holy Spirit and speak prophetic words as we pursue together. “As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 - TPT)

As prophetic communities are established, and prophets train and equip believers (Ephesians 4:11-13), the body of Christ becomes “an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37:1-14) that speaks life and raises dry bones to life. The more we grow in our ability to hear God speak and say what He is saying, the more we release His life to a hurting world, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh provides no benefit; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life.” (John 6:63-NASB)

As we link arms, know how loved we are, love each other, and grow in the things of the Spirit, we are empowered to be His true disciples. John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” (NIV)

Prayer

God, help me to love the community of believers you have put in my life. Let us grow in Your Spirit and love each other deeply, and out of this love we have for You and each other, empower us to love the world around us into Your arms and into Your Kingdom.