Walking - Spirit & Truth Fellowship International

Opening LetterMay/June 2008An Enduring Work of TruthDan GallagherJust as every child learns to crawl beforewalking, so too every Christian should learn towalk by the spirit.Every time I receive The Sower I am truly amazed at thequality and the content. In some ways that seems odd forme to write because every week I participate with the entirestaff as we painstakingly dream, plan, and strategize over everyissue. The reason it is so exciting for me is because, like you, Itoo have no idea what the final product will actually look likeuntil after it is mailed out. I have great confidence based on thesuperb performance of our staff in the past that this issue will bebeneficial in your spiritual walk.This year we are focusing on subjects that are fundamentallyimportant to every Christian. This is why this issue is devoted toWalking by the Spirit, because it remains one of the most confusingand least understood topics in Christianity. So often I hear peopleusing phrases that seem to suggest the holy spirit is an entity thatcomes and goes in meetings, and often implying the success of anevent can be demonstrated if “the spirit’ was present. Then thereare times when some speak about an “anointing,” as if to implythat sometimes we are anointed and sometimes, we are not.Just as every child learns to crawl beforewalking, so too every Christian should learn towalk by the spirit. I do not believe it is essentialthat a person understand the gift of holy spiritand its nine manifestations in order to walk inspiritual power, but it definitely will help eliminatedoubts, confusion, and wrong teaching when weunderstand it accurately. How unfortunate it hasbeen for some to think that they cannot hear fromGod, or that there are nine gifts and that they justdo not have them. The truth concerning Walkingby the Spirit goes a long way to increasing aperson’s confidence, faith, and effectiveness inthe spiritual battle. Is there any doubt why somuch confusion and wrong teaching exists in thisarea?We have set the spiritual goal of building “anenduring work of truth” and it will take men andwomen who are spiritually maturing, walking inthe fullness of the spirit in order to accomplish it.It is our prayer that this issue of The Sower helpsyou on your journey towards spiritual fulfillmentand maturity in Christ.Understanding that every person receives the gift of holy spiritat the time of the New Birth provides the greatest benefit when weunderstand what to do with it. Knowing I have spiritual power isgreat, but accurately understanding how to use it is best. It is theholy spirit which enables me to be like Christ and do the works hesaid I could do.Blessings,Dan2 STFonline.org/sower | May/June 2008