Being Spirit filled

I've always had an uneasy relationship with the Assemblies of God doctrine of tongues as the initial physical evidence of the Holy Spirit.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in it - and I teach it.

It is the main distinctive of our Assemblies of God denomination.

I think one of my main concerns with the doctrine and practice is this:

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of the Holy Spirit is not the END of a deeper and fuller relationship with God but the BEGINNING.

It is not meant to be a badge that we wear to show that we are somehow a "better" Christian than anyone else.

It is not meant to be a sign that we are "first class" Christians and everyone else is a "second class" Christian.  Not at all.

It is an empowerment for life and service. 

However, here's where my uneasiness comes in.  There must always be a connection between what we believe and what we practice.

While we practice the gifts - how are they affecting our lives?

Are they making a difference in how we behave and how we treat one another?  Some of the meanest and nastiest Christians I know are "Spirit filled" Christians.

Here's the challenge.  Let's continue to emphasis the baptism of the Holy Spirit - with tongues as the entryway to that baptism.  But at the same time, let's not stop there.  Let's let that baptism infiltrate our entire lives that we are not only exhibiting the gifts of the spirit but the fruit of the spirit as well - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Just a thought for a Wednesday.