God Works At Both Ends Of The Stick

"Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” So, he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him." - Acts 10:17-23

The idea that God speaks by His Spirit through other Christians is something that I have shared before. Peter and the Centurion is a Biblical example. I think there is a practical value for us to consider the dynamic. First, you know that all believers are sealed with Holy Spirit. 

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:13-14

 and we are all indwelt by the same Holy Spirit

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16

To be affirmed by another Christian when you believe that you have received a word from the Lord has Biblical precedent and personal testimony from the Saints. When you believe that God has spoken - that He is calling and/or leading you to a work then you should make it a practice to seek out the counsel of godly men and women as a way of affirming the call. God works at both ends to the stick.

That counsel should not be received as your sole source of affirmation but in concert with prayer, the Word, and circumstances that have presented themselves. My point is that our response to what we believe that God is saying to us should be tempered with patience and discernment. Testing that it is not our flesh or old nature that is prompting us - but is in fact the Lord.

What the Lord revealed to Peter on the rooftop was contrary to what Peter had known to be true. What he had embraced and practiced his whole life. Now God had revealed the "mystery" that "not all Israel was Israel". That the Jews had thought in terms of the physical - ethnic Israel but there was a spiritual Israel - the Israel of the Promise to Abraham that included Gentiles.  That was radical. But God affirmed it through Cornelius and raised up an Apostle to the Gentiles - Paul. 

Having said that - we must be careful that we don't stray from the truth because we believe that we have heard from God when we have not. Refusing to listen to the counsel of mature Christians we are in danger of charging off on a path that the Lord has not set our feet on. Many who were well intentioned have traveled that road to their detriment. Intending to bring glory to God, they have not.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone