Fall
1991
The Price of Ministry
in the Spirit
Walter Beuttler
There is a price tag that is attached to all ministry in
the Spirit.
"But as then he that was born after the flesh
persecuted him that was born after the Spirit,
even so is it now." Gal 4:29.
There are two kinds of people in the Church today:
1. Those after the "Flesh." These are satisfied
with serving God according to their natural, or learned desires
and intellect.
2. Those after the "Spirit." These serve the Lord
by seeking to be led by the Holy Spirit.
There are those in the Church who will mock or ridicule those
who are seeking to follow the laws of the Spirit. This fact
of persecution need not be considered unusual, but should
be taken as normal. Note Genesis20:9. "And Sarah saw
the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham
mocking."
There is a line of demarcation between the seed of Isaac
(Spirit) and of Ishmael (Flesh). Though outwardly they might
appear to be relatives, yet inwardly they are diametrically
opposed. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and
the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one
to the other." Galatians 5:17.
"Which things also we speak, not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual (or: teaching
spiritual things to the spiritual minded). But the
natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned." I Corinthians
2:13-14.
There is an international language of the Holy Spirit which
is understood by those who have been born of the Holy Spirit.
The natural man has no such ability. The things of the Spirit
are mere unintelligible sounds that disturb the religion of
such a natural man.
"For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the
(Holy) Spirit, and the (desires of the) Spirit
are opposed to the flesh (Godless human nature); for
these are antagonistic to each other - continually
withstanding and in conflict with each other - so that
you are not free but are prevented from doing what you
desire to do. Galatians 5:17 Amplified Translation.
Note the phrase "continually withstanding." While
ministering to a group of people, we may be conscious of the
fact that they are not responsive. We desire to share "a
special word" with them, but can not do so. This is a
result of the flesh withstanding the Spirit.
"And we are setting these truths forth in words not
taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit,
combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual
language (to those who possess the Holy Spirit). But
the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or
admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations
of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless
nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them
- of progressively recognizing, understanding and becoming
better acquainted with them - because they are spiritually
discerned and estimated and appreciated."
I Corinthians 2:13-14 Amplified Translation).
As the Lord begins to open our hearts to these truths concerning
a life and walk in the Spirit, there begins to be a separation.
Many draw back at this place because the price tag is too
great, preferring a lower more comfortable plane of existence.
Those who are truly seeking the Lord and desire to walk with
Him in a greater dimension of spiritual life and ministry
will become separated from those who do not. This is a spiritual
law that cannot be broken. "And Simeon blessed them,
and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for
the fall and rising of many in Israel; and for a sign which
shall be spoken against" Luke 2:34. It was so in the
life of Jesus, and the servant is not greater than the master.
"He shall not fail nor be discouraged," Isaiah
42:4a. Another translation says, "He shall not be bruised."
There is a grave danger of being hurt or bruised in our feelings
due to reactions to our ministry. Then, we will begin to feel
sorry for ourselves. This will eat out our ministry, until
nothing is left.
The prophet's reward will come in God's time. But until that
time, we must bear the prophet's persecution and continue
to teach the ways of the Lord, treating as precious the things
pertaining to His Spirit and to spiritual ministry.