quality

We’ve been studying what qualifies us to serve the Lord, what qualities we need for Him to deem us acceptable. (Here are the links to the first, second, and third posts in the series.)

Last week’s post culminates the observations of the previous articles: we derive our qualities from another. Really, Another. The Holy Spirit qualifies us for service.

This sounds like a nice theological idea–easy to agree with but kind of vague. So let’s take a look at a man who illustrates what we’re discussing–King Saul.

(Throughout the series, I used three different versions of the Bible: the ESV, the NASB, and the NIV. But now I’ll stick with the NIV.)

“After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying. ⁶The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. ⁷Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.” – 1 Samuel 10:5-7

This passage blends instructions and prophecies all in one address. Uttered by Samuel the prophet, these words prepared the young man Saul to assume the role of king.

Samuel had anointed him with oil and spoke God’s blessing over him, but Saul didn’t feel up to the challenge of rulership. Israel had no king, so the new sovereign had no role models. Saul may not have deemed himself worthy of the honor; he might have doubted his abilities. In short, he questioned his qualifications.

And what’s more, Saul didn’t know how to solve his problem. No school existed to train Israelites aspiring to royalty. How could he prepare himself?

According to verse 5, Saul would meet a company of prophets. These were men like Samuel–they revealed the mind of God to the people. The Jews could trust their wisdom and their guidance. As the leader of the government, Saul would need to associate with individuals of sterling character. God saw to it that his first lesson would be with His spokesmen.

We can glean from Saul’s encounter that others will influence us in our work; we derive their qualities, good or bad. So if we are to carry out the will of God, we must team up with those who honor Him.

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

The Lord Jesus calls us to walk with Him, and as we do, we discover that we’re not alone. We’ve joined a group, a flock, an army–call it what you will–committed to Him. Within that fellowship, we find ourselves adopting the spiritual qualities that enable us to exalt Christ and accomplish His purposes.

But good companions, even prophets, have limits. People affect us but they can’t change us. Great teachers provide us an education but they can’t give us the ability to learn. For that, we need Another.

And in verse 6, Samuel promised Saul that the Holy Spirit would transform him. Coming under His anointing, he would prophesy like the others.

And that would be great if God called Saul to serve as a prophet. But He didn’t; the Lord chose him to be king.

So why did God send Saul to the prophets?

He wanted the king to witness for himself people transformed by the Spirit. As the prophets couldn’t conduct their ministry without the power of the Spirit, neither could Saul. He had to learn that lesson.

And as the prophets strove to bring the Jews to submission and obedience to the Lord, so also with the king. Saul’s duty was to honor the Lord above all else.

The Spirit points us to Christ; He is and ought to be the focus of our ministry.

“It is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” – Revelation 19:10b

When the Holy Spirit does His work in Saul, he would become a different person, one who qualified for his office.

If our disqualifications unnerve us, we should look to God’s Spirit. Not only will He reveal the mind of Christ to us and through us, He will also equip us to realize His will. Understanding the will of God can make us nervous when we grasp how little we can live up to His plan. But there’s good news–the Holy Spirit makes us different! The old person we were doesn’t qualify, but the new creation we are in Jesus is able. That’s the gift of the Holy Spirit!

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

If we focus on our qualities, we may sadden ourselves. But as we dwell on God’s Spirit, we find ourselves doing what we assumed was out of reach.

As a result of the Spirit’s touch on his life, Saul would be free to serve as king. Verse 7 declares that he could discharge his responsibilities with full confidence. He would have God’s approval.

Likewise, our labors in the Spirit meet with the favor of the Lord because we aim to influence people for Christ.

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father–the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father–he will testify about me. ²⁷And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning.” – John 15:26-27

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” – Revelation 22:17

As the prophets prioritized God, and as Saul learned, so we must put Jesus first.

Did it work? What happened to Saul?

“As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day.” – 1 Samuel 10:9

Afraid you don’t qualify to serve the Lord? Suspect that you fail to meet His standards? Rather than fight these feelings, accept them. You’re right, on your own you don’t make the grade. But God’s in the business of changing people! So cooperate with Him because He’s working in you.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:12-13