The Spirit Brings Grace

Something that bothers a lot of people about churches is how they behave. You see church splits where half the congregation walks out the door, sometimes even battling out their differences in court. Really? Is that how it's meant to be? In the early 1700s, a small band of religious refugees from Moravia (in Czechoslovakia) fled persecution and found shelter on the Saxon estate of Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf. At first, tensions ran high among the diverse group but on August 13, 1727, something remarkable happened: during a communion service, they experienced what they later called an "outpouring of grace." Divisions dissolved, love abounded, and unity replaced strife. From that moment, everything changed. Within decades, these once-scattered exiles sent missionaries to the Caribbean, Africa, and the Americas—arguably igniting one of the greatest missionary movements since the book of Acts. Speaking of the book of Acts: Acts 4:31,33 … when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness … And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (ESV) Here's the thing. When we allow our personal wants and desires to rule our lives, when we insist on being right … it's only going to end one way - in division and strife. But when we allow God's Holy Spirit to fill us to overflowing, just as happened with the apostles, we'll be overcome by His power and His grace. Hmm. Grace. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.