AMAZING GRACE

      "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what YOU should speak. For it will be given TO YOU in that hour what YOU should speak," Mt 10:19.

      The days of spiritual gifts have gone and will come again when the Lord returns, Heb 6:;5. However, as we walk close to the Lord, pray, study His Word, and are therefore strong and spiritually minded (God is not pleased with us if such is not true), God will certainly give us the things we should say on any such occasion.
      The emphasis is on what "YOU" shall say. Again it appears that "we" are doing the "work." "It will be given to YOU in that same hour what YOU should speak." Is it possible for us by the Holy Spirit to understand the matter beyond this point? Beyond the very next verse in the same context?

      "For it is NOT YOU who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you," Mt 10:20.
      If we can't understand this matter, let's just believe it anyway because it is the Word of God. The Scriptures plainly say that it is NOT "YOU" who speaks, but the Holy Spirit who speaks in you.
      Surely we must be convinced when scripture after scripture states the same thing: when we say or do things scripturally by faith, it is by grace through faith, because at the point of faith God takes over and uses our minds and bodies to perform His good pleasure. Then, of course, we hasten to add that the faith itself in the beginning was also the work of God.
      As an awkward, not altogether applicable illustration we may say that the car maker builds the car, builds every part to operate precisely the way he wants it to operate, then he gets in, turns on the ignition which starts the car, and then drives it according to his purpose.
      The major difference is that we also have intelligence and emotions which are the chief things God utilizes and operates as though we were doing it all. Being infinite in knowledge and power, God is able to do this.