The Cross Is the Power
The power of spiritual gifts depends on the believer's spiritual state and their willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to work through them.
G.W. North emphasizes that spiritual gifts, while inherently spiritual, depend on the recipient's spiritual state for their continued effectiveness. He warns that if an individual becomes carnal, the gifts will also lose their spiritual essence and become misused. To maintain the original power of these gifts, one must live in holiness and allow the Holy Spirit to guide their use. The gifts should be initiated and inspired by the Holy Spirit, particularly in oral communication, to avoid the risk of becoming misleading or destructive. Ultimately, the gifts are meant to manifest the Spirit's power, rooted in the sacrifice of the cross.
Text
Now, as before stated, any gift given by the Spirit is in itself spiritual in origin, but having been once bestowed, for its permanent spirituality in use it depends very much upon the person to whom it is given. It must ever be remembered that the person so privileged must bear the responsibility for its use. If the individual remains spiritual, the gift will continue as spiritual as the Spirit who first gave it, but should that individual become carnal, the gift will also unavoidably become carnalized in use.
The only way an individual can preserve his gift in its original spiritual condition is by maintaining his own spirit in holiness and power, and always allowing the Holy Spirit Himself to work the gift.
In the case of an oral gift, this means that the Holy Spirit must be the sole initiator and inspirer of each particular message. He must be both the beginning and the ending upon each occasion. If it be one of the other gifts, he must use it as from and by the power of the cross, or else the power that works it will be carnal soul power. Should this latter state become so with any member, the ultimate function can only be misleading, and its power destructive. Each of the gifts must only ever be a means of manifestation of the Spirit.
Sermon Outline
- The Nature of Spiritual Gifts
- The Responsibility of the Believer
- The Role of the Holy Spirit
- Must be the initiator and inspirer of each message
- Must use gifts as from and by the power of the cross
Key Quotes
“The only way an individual can preserve his gift in its original spiritual condition is by maintaining his own spirit in holiness and power, and always allowing the Holy Spirit Himself to work the gift.” — G.W. North
“He must be both the beginning and the ending upon each occasion.” — G.W. North
Application Points
- As a believer, you must take responsibility for your spiritual gifts and maintain your own spirit in holiness and power.
- The Holy Spirit must be the initiator and inspirer of each message or gift, and use it as from and by the power of the cross.
- If you become carnal, your gift will also become carnalized in use, leading to misleading and destructive power.