It is a strange and unfortunate thing that among all those who have been born of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ, very few seem to be living daily spiritual and Spirit-filled lives. Why is this? Well, a whole book or volumes could be written on this matter and the reasons could be somewhat endless. But I believe at least part of the problem is, that to many, salvation is the forgiveness of sins with the hope of heaven someday, instead of forgiveness of sins in order to live the spiritual, Spirit-filled life of a new creature in Christ. We were first saved by receiving the Spirit that we might go on to live the rest of our lives living, walking, being led by, and being filled with the Spirit. Does this describe your daily life? If not, don't be condemned. But then again, don't be content. Seek the Lord. Repent. Search the Scriptures. Open your heart and your life to the Lord. Refuse to accept a life that looks very much like those without Christ. Pursue the Lord. Confess your sins. Hunger for the presence of God. Don't make excuses for yourself: I'm busy, I have a family, I have a job, etc. These things are not the problem. Our heart is the problem. What do we love? What do we put first in our lives? What occupies our heart, our thoughts? What are we living for? What is our hope? I believe if we are willing to deal with these questions in an open and sincere way with God, we can then go on to pursue to live spiritual and Spirit-filled lives. That being said, let's continue with some of what is known of the Spirit in Acts, Romans, and First and Second Corinthians.
*Jesus gave commandment through the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:2)
*Power is received to be witnesses when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8)
*The disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:4)
*The Spirit enabled them to speak in different tongues. (Acts 2:4)
*The Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. (Acts 2:17-18)
*The poured out Spirit can cause people to prophecy. (Acts 2:18)
*The Holy Spirit is a gift received by repenting and being baptized. (Acts 2:38)
*Being filled with the Holy Spirit causes people to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
*Sometimes the Spirit is given through the laying on of hands. (Acts 8:17-18)
*The Spirit can speak very clear and specific words to lead us. (Acts 8:29; 10:19-20; 13:2; 20:23)
*It is possible to be caught away by the Spirit. (Acts 8:39)
*The Holy Spirit can fall upon people as they are hearing the word. (Acts 10:44; 11:15)
*It is possible to foretell future events through the Spirit. (Acts 11:28)
*The Holy Spirit may send us out. (Acts 13:4)
*The Holy Spirit may forbid us at times to speak the word of God. (Act 16:6-7)
*The Holy Spirit appoints overseers for the church. (Acts 20:28)
*Jesus was designated the Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness in His resurrection. (Rom. 1:4)
*God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 5:5)
*The law of the Spirit of life has freed us from the law of sin and death. (Rom. 8:2)
*We are to be mindful of the things of the Spirit. (Rom. 8:5)
*The Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. (Rom. 8:11)
*The Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies. (Rom. 8:11)
*By the Spirit, we are to put to death the practices of the body. (Rom. 8:13)
*We are to be led by the Spirit. (Rom. 8:14)
*The Spirit witnesses to us that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:16)
*The Spirit intercedes for us in our prayers. (Rom. 8:26)
*The kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)
*Love is of the Spirit. (Rom. 15:30)
*God reveals wonderful things through the Spirit. (I Cor. 2:10)
*The Spirit searches the depths of God. (I Cor. 2:10)
*Spiritual things can be spoken in words taught by the Spirit. (I Cor. 2:13)
*We are God's temple in which the Spirit of God dwells. (I Cor. 3:16)
*We were washed, sanctified, and justified in the Spirit of our God. (I Cor. 6:11)
*The Spirit operates to distribute spiritual gifts to the members of His body. (I Cor.12:11)
*In the Spirit we were baptized into the Body of Christ. (I Cor. 12:13)
*We have been given to drink of the Spirit. (I Cor. 12:13)
*The last Adam (Jesus) became a life-giving Spirit. (I Cor. 15:45)
*The Spirit has been given to us as a pledge. (II Cor. 1:22)
*The New Testament ministry is a ministry of the Spirit. (II Cor. 3:6)
*The Spirit gives life. (II Cor. 3:17)
*Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (II Cor. 3:17)
*The Lord, the Spirit, is transforming us. (II Cor. 3:18)
*Fellowship is of the Holy Spirit. (II Cor. 13:14)
Oh, that the Spirit would be so much more to each one of us daily and moment by moment. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!
To copy or download this document, click here.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Spiritual and Spirit-Filled (Part Five)
It seems that once I get on this matter of the Spirit, it is hard for me to leave it. But I believe there is good reason for this. Consider that the Spirit is called "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17; 15:26) who teaches us and reminds us of all that Jesus has spoken (John 14:26) and even guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Consider that, "Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which have not come up in man's heart; things which God has prepared for those who love Him", are revealed to us through the Spirit, even the depths of God (I Cor. 2:9-10). Consider that it is "by the Spirit" that we are to put to death the practices of our body (Rom. 8:13). Consider that we are to be led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14; Gal. 5:18), live and walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25), and serve by the Spirit (Phil. 3:3). This alone should impress us greatly with the importance of the Spirit in our Christian lives.
But there is much more. In fact, the Spirit is mentioned about 225 times in the New Testament. With that in mind, and with the hope that we would all have a greater awareness and enjoyment of the Spirit in our daily lives, I have decided to spend the next three lessons listing part of the 225 verses concerning the Spirit in the New Testament. We will begin with the four Gospels, go on to Acts through Second Corinthians, and finish with Galatians through Revelation. So here we go!
*The birth of Jesus was "of the Holy Spirit". (Matt. 1:18-20)
*When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came upon Him. (Matt. 3:16)
*Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. (Matt. 4:1)
*Jesus cast out demons "by the Spirit of God". (Matt. 12:28)
*Jesus walked "in the power of the Spirit". (Luke 4:14)
*The Spirit of God was "upon Jesus", having been anointed to preach the gospel. (Luke 4:18)
*Jesus "exulted in the Holy Spirit". (Luke 10:21)
*The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13)
*Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin. (Luke 12:10)
*When being persecuted, the Holy Spirit teaches us what to say. (Luke 12:12)
*Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit. (John 1:33)
*To enter into the kingdom of God, you must be "born of the Spirit". (John 3:5)
*God is Spirit. (John 4:24)
*The Spirit gives life. (John 6:63)
*The Spirit is for drinking and will flow out as rivers of living water. (John 7:37-39)
*The Spirit is "the comforter" given by the Father to be with us forever. (John 14:16)
*The Spirit is the "Spirit of truth". (John 14:17)
*The Spirit teaches and reminds us of what Jesus has spoken. (John 14:26)
*The Spirit "testifies" concerning Jesus. (John 15:26)
*The Spirit "guides us into all truth". (John 16:13)
*The Spirit declares to us the things that are coming. (John 16:13)
*On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus breathed into His disciples for them to receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
I would encourage us all to print out this list to read and pray over it. Meditate upon each verse. Let the Spirit of the Lord impress upon us who He is and reveal to us His operation in our lives.
Lord, I pray that we all would have a greater appreciation, clearer revelation, and intensified realization of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Glory be to God! Grace be with you all.
To print or download this document, click here.
But there is much more. In fact, the Spirit is mentioned about 225 times in the New Testament. With that in mind, and with the hope that we would all have a greater awareness and enjoyment of the Spirit in our daily lives, I have decided to spend the next three lessons listing part of the 225 verses concerning the Spirit in the New Testament. We will begin with the four Gospels, go on to Acts through Second Corinthians, and finish with Galatians through Revelation. So here we go!
*The birth of Jesus was "of the Holy Spirit". (Matt. 1:18-20)
*When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit came upon Him. (Matt. 3:16)
*Jesus was "led by the Spirit" into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. (Matt. 4:1)
*Jesus cast out demons "by the Spirit of God". (Matt. 12:28)
*Jesus walked "in the power of the Spirit". (Luke 4:14)
*The Spirit of God was "upon Jesus", having been anointed to preach the gospel. (Luke 4:18)
*Jesus "exulted in the Holy Spirit". (Luke 10:21)
*The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (Luke 11:13)
*Blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is the only unforgivable sin. (Luke 12:10)
*When being persecuted, the Holy Spirit teaches us what to say. (Luke 12:12)
*Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit. (John 1:33)
*To enter into the kingdom of God, you must be "born of the Spirit". (John 3:5)
*God is Spirit. (John 4:24)
*The Spirit gives life. (John 6:63)
*The Spirit is for drinking and will flow out as rivers of living water. (John 7:37-39)
*The Spirit is "the comforter" given by the Father to be with us forever. (John 14:16)
*The Spirit is the "Spirit of truth". (John 14:17)
*The Spirit teaches and reminds us of what Jesus has spoken. (John 14:26)
*The Spirit "testifies" concerning Jesus. (John 15:26)
*The Spirit "guides us into all truth". (John 16:13)
*The Spirit declares to us the things that are coming. (John 16:13)
*On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus breathed into His disciples for them to receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
I would encourage us all to print out this list to read and pray over it. Meditate upon each verse. Let the Spirit of the Lord impress upon us who He is and reveal to us His operation in our lives.
Lord, I pray that we all would have a greater appreciation, clearer revelation, and intensified realization of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Glory be to God! Grace be with you all.
To print or download this document, click here.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Spiritual and Spirit-Filled (Part Four)
God desires and intends that all those who have been born of His Spirit would then go on to live spiritual and Spirit-filled lives. But according to my observation (and I'm pretty sure most of you would agree) it appears that very few Christians live the kind of life they were saved to live. The apostle Paul said, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20). How many of us can say this with a good conscience or even have a good understanding of what this really means? To the saints at Corinth Paul wrote, "And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshy, as to infants in Christ" (I Cor. 3:1). Although they had been sanctified in Christ Jesus and were called saints (I Cor. 1:2), they were not living spiritual and Spirit-filled lives. How about us? First John 2:6 says, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked." Are we walking as Jesus walked? What kind of walk did He have? John 8:28-29 says that He did nothing from Himself and that He always did the things that were pleasing to His Father. Is it possible for us to live such a life? The word of God commands that we do.
I write these things with no intention to bring condemnation, but with the hope of spiritual conviction that would lead to a spiritual and Spirit-filled life. So how can we live this kind of life?
First, we must see that we are tripartite (I Thes. 5:23). This means that God made us with three distinct parts: a body, a soul, and a spirit.
Second, it is crucial that we understand the condition of each part as children of God.
1. The body is called the body of sin and the body of death (Rom. 6:6, 7:24). Sin dwells in our mortal bodies (Rom. 6:12; 7:17). Nothing good dwells in this body of flesh (Rom. 7:18). It is in need of redemption (Rom. 8:23), and will one day be transfigured to be conformed to the body of God's glory (Phil. 3:21).
2. The soul is the psychological part in which we think, choose, have and express emotion and moods, get offended, criticize, judge, etc. It also has been damaged by sin and therefore needs to be renewed and sanctified and fully transformed from one degree of glory to another by the Spirit of the Lord (Rom. 12:2; I Thes. 5:23; II Cor. 3:18). It is called the old man which was crucified with Christ when He died on the cross (Rom. 6:6; Gal. 2:20).
3. The spirit is that which God created in us so that we could not only have fellowship with Him, but even become one with Him (I Cor. 6:17). It is a lamp to contain the Lord who is light (Proverbs 20:27). At the time of our initial salvation, it was our human spirit that was born of the Spirit of God (John 3:6). It is the place where the Spirit of God gives us the sure testimony that we are His children (Rom. 8:16). It is in this spirit that the only true worship takes place (John 4:23-24).
In summary, our spirit is the regenerated dwelling place of God, our soul is the crucified old man in need of daily transformation, and our body is the dwelling place of sin that awaits its redeeming transfiguration.
In summary, our spirit is the regenerated dwelling place of God, our soul is the crucified old man in need of daily transformation, and our body is the dwelling place of sin that awaits its redeeming transfiguration.
Third, we must learn how to let the Spirit in our spirit become our dominating part.
IN THIS WAY WE CAN BECOME SPIRITUAL AND SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTIANS.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Spiritual and Spirit-Filled (Part Three)
When did you get saved? How did you get saved? Is so and so saved? These are very common questions asked by many true believers in Christ. By "saved", they are referring to the time in which through faith in Jesus Christ, someone is born of the Spirit and becomes a genuine child of God. At that moment, their human spirit is regenerated by the Holy Spirit and they become a new creation in Christ. But this is just the beginning. It is a birth. It's the beginning of a race.
To the Galatians Paul said "having begun by the Spirit...." That was the beginning of their Christian life through faith in Christ. But Peter writes in First Peter 1:9, "Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul." Paul's point in Galatians is that as our Christian life begins by receiving the Spirit through faith, it should also continue to be a life of living and walking by the Spirit by faith. This, and only this, constitute a true, spiritual, and Spirit-filled Christian life; it is the way of growing unto maturity and running well to the finish, that is, "the end of our faith."
In the previous lesson I began to list some verses that substantiate the fact that having experienced the "beginning" salvation, it is then crucial to continue to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life to the end. I now continue.
Second Timothy 4:7-8
Close to the end of his life, Paul declared that he had "fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith." It was based upon this, that he had the assurance he would receive the crown of righteousness. It was not just his initial salvation that gave him this confidence.
Hebrews 2:1-3
Here, the writer warns of drifting away by neglecting so great a salvation. It is possible to be truly saved and not give adequate daily attention to the salvation we have received. This is a serious and sober warning.
Hebrews 3:7-4:11
In using the children of Israel as an example, the writer warns the New Testament believers concerning falling away from the living God because of an evil heart of unbelief. The issue is not the loss of salvation, but of fully entering into a Sabbath rest. In fact, we are exhorted to be diligent to enter into that rest lest we end up coming short of it as did those who died in the wilderness.
Hebrews 5:10-6:1
The concern in this portion is not for initial salvation; it is for the growth and maturity of the saints. It is not normal for those who have been saved for some time to remain on a diet of milk and be dull of hearing when it comes to the solid food of the word of righteousness. It is crucial that we are all brought on to maturity.
Hebrews 12:1-2, 14-16
Having begun the race of the Christian life, we must now run with endurance by putting away every encumbrance and sin and by keeping our eyes on Jesus. If not, we are in danger of falling away from the grace of God and giving up our birthright as did Esau.
James 1:12
The crown of life is promised to those who are approved by testing as they endure trials while loving God. How different this is than the common thinking among many Christians that we are guaranteed the crown of life because of our initial salvation. That is not what the Bible teaches.
Second Peter 1:10-11
Peter charges the brothers to be diligent to make their calling and selection firm. It is this diligence that will keep them from stumbling and enable them to have a rich and bountiful entrance into the eternal kingdom supplied to them.
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 11-12, 21
In his apocalyptic and prophetic writing to the seven churches in Asia, John gives a very clear and strong message that reward is not given just because you are a believer in one of the churches. Reward is given to those who overcome not only the obstacles to their initial faith, but to everything that would hinder them from growing up and running well. How much overcoming is needed once we have been born of God and started the race of the Christian life!
Revelation 22:12
The Lord's reward when He comes is given based upon our work (by the Spirit by faith). Our initial salvation secures our eternity with God. But it is a spiritual and Spirit-filled fruit bearing life that brings reward when He comes.
The verses listed in this and the previous lesson should be adequate to show us that having been born of God and having started the Christian race, it is crucial and essential that we continue to grow up and run well. To be content with our initial salvation and assume that all will be well when the Lord returns is ignorance of the truth and negligence of the clear word of God.
Having seen the great need to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life, we will continue in the coming lessons to see how such a life can be lived.
To copy or download this document, click here.
To the Galatians Paul said "having begun by the Spirit...." That was the beginning of their Christian life through faith in Christ. But Peter writes in First Peter 1:9, "Receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul." Paul's point in Galatians is that as our Christian life begins by receiving the Spirit through faith, it should also continue to be a life of living and walking by the Spirit by faith. This, and only this, constitute a true, spiritual, and Spirit-filled Christian life; it is the way of growing unto maturity and running well to the finish, that is, "the end of our faith."
In the previous lesson I began to list some verses that substantiate the fact that having experienced the "beginning" salvation, it is then crucial to continue to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life to the end. I now continue.
Second Timothy 4:7-8
Close to the end of his life, Paul declared that he had "fought the good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith." It was based upon this, that he had the assurance he would receive the crown of righteousness. It was not just his initial salvation that gave him this confidence.
Hebrews 2:1-3
Here, the writer warns of drifting away by neglecting so great a salvation. It is possible to be truly saved and not give adequate daily attention to the salvation we have received. This is a serious and sober warning.
Hebrews 3:7-4:11
In using the children of Israel as an example, the writer warns the New Testament believers concerning falling away from the living God because of an evil heart of unbelief. The issue is not the loss of salvation, but of fully entering into a Sabbath rest. In fact, we are exhorted to be diligent to enter into that rest lest we end up coming short of it as did those who died in the wilderness.
Hebrews 5:10-6:1
The concern in this portion is not for initial salvation; it is for the growth and maturity of the saints. It is not normal for those who have been saved for some time to remain on a diet of milk and be dull of hearing when it comes to the solid food of the word of righteousness. It is crucial that we are all brought on to maturity.
Hebrews 12:1-2, 14-16
Having begun the race of the Christian life, we must now run with endurance by putting away every encumbrance and sin and by keeping our eyes on Jesus. If not, we are in danger of falling away from the grace of God and giving up our birthright as did Esau.
James 1:12
The crown of life is promised to those who are approved by testing as they endure trials while loving God. How different this is than the common thinking among many Christians that we are guaranteed the crown of life because of our initial salvation. That is not what the Bible teaches.
Second Peter 1:10-11
Peter charges the brothers to be diligent to make their calling and selection firm. It is this diligence that will keep them from stumbling and enable them to have a rich and bountiful entrance into the eternal kingdom supplied to them.
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 11-12, 21
In his apocalyptic and prophetic writing to the seven churches in Asia, John gives a very clear and strong message that reward is not given just because you are a believer in one of the churches. Reward is given to those who overcome not only the obstacles to their initial faith, but to everything that would hinder them from growing up and running well. How much overcoming is needed once we have been born of God and started the race of the Christian life!
Revelation 22:12
The Lord's reward when He comes is given based upon our work (by the Spirit by faith). Our initial salvation secures our eternity with God. But it is a spiritual and Spirit-filled fruit bearing life that brings reward when He comes.
The verses listed in this and the previous lesson should be adequate to show us that having been born of God and having started the Christian race, it is crucial and essential that we continue to grow up and run well. To be content with our initial salvation and assume that all will be well when the Lord returns is ignorance of the truth and negligence of the clear word of God.
Having seen the great need to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life, we will continue in the coming lessons to see how such a life can be lived.
To copy or download this document, click here.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Spiritual and Spirit-Filled (Part Two)
If you have not read the previous post, please do so. It presents some crucial questions that we must ask ourselves if we are serious about following Jesus. It also gives us some indicators to help us know if we are, or are not, living a spiritual and Spirit-filled life.
Having been born of the Spirit does not guarantee that you will live a spiritual and Spirit-filled daily life. It is hard to deny that this statement is true based upon the word of God and our own experience. Yet some believe otherwise. They basically think that if you are genuinely saved, you will live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life, and that if you are not living a spiritual and Spirit-filled life, you are probably not even saved. Once again, I would say that both the Bible and our own experience indicate otherwise.
This matter has caused much confusion to many dear believers in Christ, and Satan has taken advantage of this confusion to hinder and stumble their walk with the Lord. What must be understood is that the Christian life basically consists of a birth, growth, and maturity. It is likened to a race with its start, course, and finish. The birth is the start, the growth is the course, and the maturity is the finish. If you are not growing well, it doesn't mean that you haven't been born. If you are not running well, it doesn't mean that you have not started the race. Being born does not guarantee that you will grow well and mature. Starting a race does not guarantee that you will run well and finish.
The Bible gives many examples and teachings to clarify and substantiate this understanding:
Note: So as to avoid unnecessary debate, I will not include the parables of Jesus at this time, which I believe give clear illustrations of this truth, and will go to the more direct examples and teachings in the epistles.
First Corinthians 1:2-7, 11; 3:1-3
Paul was writing to the church of God in Corinth, to those who had been sanctified in Christ Jesus, to the saints who in everything had been enriched in Christ and had confirmed the testimony of the Lord. Yet, he was not able to speak to them as to spiritual men. They were still fleshy infants in Christ who were not able to receive solid food and were fleshly as indicated by the jealousy and strife among them. Having been begotten as children of God, they were lacking in proper growth.
First Corinthians 9:24-27
Paul spoke of himself as one who was running a race to receive the prize of an incorruptible crown. He was aware of the possibility of becoming disapproved or disqualified if he did not continue to run well. He exhorted the saints to do the same.
Galatians 3:1-5
Paul addressed the Galatians as those who had begun their Christ life by receiving the Spirit by faith. His concern was now with their wrong understanding of how to be perfected. Perfection is related to growth and maturity and is to be accomplished not by the works of law through the efforts of the flesh, but by the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 5:1, 4, 7
Speaking to those who had been set free from the law by Christ, Paul realized they had fallen away from this grace and were no longer running well. Having begun the race by the Spirit by faith, they were now attempting to run according to the works of the law. Paul was laboring to set them back on a proper course.
Ephesians 1:1; 5:15-18
Writing to the saints in Ephesus, Paul did not charge them to be born of the Spirit, but to be filled with the Spirit. Being born of the Spirit is our initial entrance into the kingdom of God. Being filled with the Spirit is for our daily walk as children of God.
Philippians 2:12-13
There is the initial salvation of those who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ. There is then the working out of a further salvation with fear and trembling according to God's operation in those who are now growing unto maturity.
Philippians 3:7-14
Paul himself, as one who had obviously been born of the Spirit and had entered the race of the Christian life, was now pursuing toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus his Lord. He clearly recognized that he had not yet obtained the prize or been perfected, so he strongly pursued that he might attain the goal of the Christian life. As such, he should be an example and warning to us all.
Colossians 2:8, 18
Here Paul warns the saints to be careful not to let others carry them off as spoil or cheat them of their prize by wrong and deceptive philosophies and teachings. Satan has many tactics to hinder the growth of the saints and frustrate them in the running of the race. We must be aware of his strategies and know how to fight against them.
In order to keep this lesson from getting too long, I will continue and finish it in my next posting. Grow to maturity! Run to the finish! Grace be with you all.
To copy or download this document, click here.
Having been born of the Spirit does not guarantee that you will live a spiritual and Spirit-filled daily life. It is hard to deny that this statement is true based upon the word of God and our own experience. Yet some believe otherwise. They basically think that if you are genuinely saved, you will live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life, and that if you are not living a spiritual and Spirit-filled life, you are probably not even saved. Once again, I would say that both the Bible and our own experience indicate otherwise.
This matter has caused much confusion to many dear believers in Christ, and Satan has taken advantage of this confusion to hinder and stumble their walk with the Lord. What must be understood is that the Christian life basically consists of a birth, growth, and maturity. It is likened to a race with its start, course, and finish. The birth is the start, the growth is the course, and the maturity is the finish. If you are not growing well, it doesn't mean that you haven't been born. If you are not running well, it doesn't mean that you have not started the race. Being born does not guarantee that you will grow well and mature. Starting a race does not guarantee that you will run well and finish.
The Bible gives many examples and teachings to clarify and substantiate this understanding:
Note: So as to avoid unnecessary debate, I will not include the parables of Jesus at this time, which I believe give clear illustrations of this truth, and will go to the more direct examples and teachings in the epistles.
First Corinthians 1:2-7, 11; 3:1-3
Paul was writing to the church of God in Corinth, to those who had been sanctified in Christ Jesus, to the saints who in everything had been enriched in Christ and had confirmed the testimony of the Lord. Yet, he was not able to speak to them as to spiritual men. They were still fleshy infants in Christ who were not able to receive solid food and were fleshly as indicated by the jealousy and strife among them. Having been begotten as children of God, they were lacking in proper growth.
First Corinthians 9:24-27
Paul spoke of himself as one who was running a race to receive the prize of an incorruptible crown. He was aware of the possibility of becoming disapproved or disqualified if he did not continue to run well. He exhorted the saints to do the same.
Galatians 3:1-5
Paul addressed the Galatians as those who had begun their Christ life by receiving the Spirit by faith. His concern was now with their wrong understanding of how to be perfected. Perfection is related to growth and maturity and is to be accomplished not by the works of law through the efforts of the flesh, but by the Spirit through faith.
Galatians 5:1, 4, 7
Speaking to those who had been set free from the law by Christ, Paul realized they had fallen away from this grace and were no longer running well. Having begun the race by the Spirit by faith, they were now attempting to run according to the works of the law. Paul was laboring to set them back on a proper course.
Ephesians 1:1; 5:15-18
Writing to the saints in Ephesus, Paul did not charge them to be born of the Spirit, but to be filled with the Spirit. Being born of the Spirit is our initial entrance into the kingdom of God. Being filled with the Spirit is for our daily walk as children of God.
Philippians 2:12-13
There is the initial salvation of those who are born of the Spirit through faith in Christ. There is then the working out of a further salvation with fear and trembling according to God's operation in those who are now growing unto maturity.
Philippians 3:7-14
Paul himself, as one who had obviously been born of the Spirit and had entered the race of the Christian life, was now pursuing toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus his Lord. He clearly recognized that he had not yet obtained the prize or been perfected, so he strongly pursued that he might attain the goal of the Christian life. As such, he should be an example and warning to us all.
Colossians 2:8, 18
Here Paul warns the saints to be careful not to let others carry them off as spoil or cheat them of their prize by wrong and deceptive philosophies and teachings. Satan has many tactics to hinder the growth of the saints and frustrate them in the running of the race. We must be aware of his strategies and know how to fight against them.
In order to keep this lesson from getting too long, I will continue and finish it in my next posting. Grow to maturity! Run to the finish! Grace be with you all.
To copy or download this document, click here.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Spiritual and Spirit-Filled
I assume that the majority of you who are reading this blog are Christians. As such, I would like to ask you a few questions:
1) Do you understand that the only way to become a true Christian is to be born of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:6-8; Gal. 3:26)?
2) Have you been born of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:16)?
3) Do you understand that the only way to live a normal and healthy Christian life is to be spiritual and Spirit-filled (I Cor. 2:11-3:3; Eph. 5:15-21)?
4) Are you living a spiritual and Spirit-filled life?
If so, praise and glory be to God! If not:
5) Have you put much prayer and consideration into why not?
6) Are you daily pursuing to be more spiritual and Spirit-filled?
7) Do you have some idea of what it takes to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life?
I write and ask these things out of a genuine concern and love for the Body of Christ, not excluding myself. I also realize that this matter is somewhat relative and may be difficult to give just a yes or no answer. At the same time, when we take a look at our daily lives, it is probably somewhat obvious to us if we are spiritual and Spirit-filled or not. If we are not, and realize it, but are actively pursuing to do so, that is good. What concerns me most is that so many genuinely saved believers are not living spiritual and Spirit-filled lives and are not even aware of it, not concerned about it, or don't know what to do about it. This is a very serious matter.
Some indications that we are living a spiritual, Spirit-filled life:
We are typically joyful, peaceful, inwardly restful.
We are generally humble and meek, compassionate and forgiving.
We are not easily offended.
We are empowered and strengthened by the grace of God for whatever life brings.
Loving people is not hard.
We are able to treat well those who may not treat us the same.
We are always believing and hopeful in God's word according to His promises.
We live for God and His eternal purpose.
We minister to one another according to our giftings to build up the Body of Christ.
We feel blessed and rich regardless of our circumstances.
We are always thankful.
We enjoy fellowship with God daily and moment by moment.
We enjoy fellowship with the saints whenever possible.
People outside the kingdom are affected by who we are in Christ.
We bear fruit.
We are often convicted by the Spirit and enjoy confessing and forgiveness.
Our hope is not in this world and the temporary things of this life.
We are godly and content.
Some indications that we are not living a spiritual, Spirit-filled life:
We are often anxious and bothered by many things.
We think more highly of ourselves than others.
We are condemning and judgmental.
We are not willing and find it difficult to forgive others.
We keep an account of how others may have wronged or offended us.
We feel "burned out" by life's demands including our participation in the church.
We gossip about others including the saints.
We are easily offended and think we are justified in being so.
We do unto others as they have done unto us.
We covet.
We have jealousy and evil ambition.
We put other things and people ahead of God and His eternal purpose.
We use most of our time, energy, resources, and talents for things other than God's kingdom.
We live by sight, not by faith.
We are more concerned with pleasing men than God.
We barely know what it means to live in the presence of God.
Our inward condition is based upon our outward circumstances.
We murmur and complain inwardly and sometimes outwardly.
Building up the Body of Christ is not a priority in our lives.
Most people wouldn't know we are Christians if we didn't tell them.
We often feel condemned and do not have full assurance in the blood of Jesus.
We are either living in the past or for something earthly in the future.
We are rarely content with our circumstances.
There seems to be no end to either of the above lists. My intention is to give us some impression of where we are as regards to a spiritual, Spirit-filled life.
If category one characterizes your life, praise God. Continue in your pursuing.
If category two characterizes your life, and you genuinely want that to change, the next series of teachings will be with the hope that they will help you toward this goal.
One thing we should not deny: God desires us all to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life and He has done everything and provided us with everything to bring this about.
To copy or download this document, click here.
1) Do you understand that the only way to become a true Christian is to be born of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:6-8; Gal. 3:26)?
2) Have you been born of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:16)?
3) Do you understand that the only way to live a normal and healthy Christian life is to be spiritual and Spirit-filled (I Cor. 2:11-3:3; Eph. 5:15-21)?
4) Are you living a spiritual and Spirit-filled life?
If so, praise and glory be to God! If not:
5) Have you put much prayer and consideration into why not?
6) Are you daily pursuing to be more spiritual and Spirit-filled?
7) Do you have some idea of what it takes to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life?
I write and ask these things out of a genuine concern and love for the Body of Christ, not excluding myself. I also realize that this matter is somewhat relative and may be difficult to give just a yes or no answer. At the same time, when we take a look at our daily lives, it is probably somewhat obvious to us if we are spiritual and Spirit-filled or not. If we are not, and realize it, but are actively pursuing to do so, that is good. What concerns me most is that so many genuinely saved believers are not living spiritual and Spirit-filled lives and are not even aware of it, not concerned about it, or don't know what to do about it. This is a very serious matter.
Some indications that we are living a spiritual, Spirit-filled life:
We are typically joyful, peaceful, inwardly restful.
We are generally humble and meek, compassionate and forgiving.
We are not easily offended.
We are empowered and strengthened by the grace of God for whatever life brings.
Loving people is not hard.
We are able to treat well those who may not treat us the same.
We are always believing and hopeful in God's word according to His promises.
We live for God and His eternal purpose.
We minister to one another according to our giftings to build up the Body of Christ.
We feel blessed and rich regardless of our circumstances.
We are always thankful.
We enjoy fellowship with God daily and moment by moment.
We enjoy fellowship with the saints whenever possible.
People outside the kingdom are affected by who we are in Christ.
We bear fruit.
We are often convicted by the Spirit and enjoy confessing and forgiveness.
Our hope is not in this world and the temporary things of this life.
We are godly and content.
Some indications that we are not living a spiritual, Spirit-filled life:
We are often anxious and bothered by many things.
We think more highly of ourselves than others.
We are condemning and judgmental.
We are not willing and find it difficult to forgive others.
We keep an account of how others may have wronged or offended us.
We feel "burned out" by life's demands including our participation in the church.
We gossip about others including the saints.
We are easily offended and think we are justified in being so.
We do unto others as they have done unto us.
We covet.
We have jealousy and evil ambition.
We put other things and people ahead of God and His eternal purpose.
We use most of our time, energy, resources, and talents for things other than God's kingdom.
We live by sight, not by faith.
We are more concerned with pleasing men than God.
We barely know what it means to live in the presence of God.
Our inward condition is based upon our outward circumstances.
We murmur and complain inwardly and sometimes outwardly.
Building up the Body of Christ is not a priority in our lives.
Most people wouldn't know we are Christians if we didn't tell them.
We often feel condemned and do not have full assurance in the blood of Jesus.
We are either living in the past or for something earthly in the future.
We are rarely content with our circumstances.
There seems to be no end to either of the above lists. My intention is to give us some impression of where we are as regards to a spiritual, Spirit-filled life.
If category one characterizes your life, praise God. Continue in your pursuing.
If category two characterizes your life, and you genuinely want that to change, the next series of teachings will be with the hope that they will help you toward this goal.
One thing we should not deny: God desires us all to live a spiritual and Spirit-filled life and He has done everything and provided us with everything to bring this about.
To copy or download this document, click here.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Keeping the Words of the Prophecy
The book of Revelation (the last book of the New Testament and of the entire Bible) is full of many wonderful and terrible things. Both in its introduction and in its conclusion it promises that those who keep the words of the prophecy of this scroll will be blessed (1:3; 22:7). What does this mean? How are we to keep the words of the prophecy of this scroll? Of course we must first read them. And while reading, we need ears to hear what God has spoken and is speaking to us through them. But then we must also be keepers and doers of these words, not just readers and hearers.
It appears that the majority of the things written in this book are to take place sometime in the future. Then how are we to keep them? Are we just to keep these things in our hearts and minds? Possibly. Yet I believe there is something even more essential in our keeping the words of the prophecy of this scroll. One of the unlocking verses in this book is 19:10 which ends with "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy." The testimony of Jesus is the vital breath, the true essence, the intrinsic revelation of the words of this prophecy. Therefore, I believe that the keeping of the words of the prophecy of this scroll must be related to and for the manifestation of the testimony of Jesus.
Based upon this understanding, I have listed twelve (a key number used frequently in the book of Revelation which symbolically means completion and perfection) practical ways in which I believe we can be not only readers and hearers of the words of this prophecy, but keepers.
I hope you will consider them prayerfully and take the time to open your Bibles to read the references that are listed. You will then be greatly blessed as, by the grace of God, you become keepers of the words of the prophecy of this scroll. Glory be to God!
To go to the twelve point document, click here.
To copy or download this blog, click here.
It appears that the majority of the things written in this book are to take place sometime in the future. Then how are we to keep them? Are we just to keep these things in our hearts and minds? Possibly. Yet I believe there is something even more essential in our keeping the words of the prophecy of this scroll. One of the unlocking verses in this book is 19:10 which ends with "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy." The testimony of Jesus is the vital breath, the true essence, the intrinsic revelation of the words of this prophecy. Therefore, I believe that the keeping of the words of the prophecy of this scroll must be related to and for the manifestation of the testimony of Jesus.
Based upon this understanding, I have listed twelve (a key number used frequently in the book of Revelation which symbolically means completion and perfection) practical ways in which I believe we can be not only readers and hearers of the words of this prophecy, but keepers.
I hope you will consider them prayerfully and take the time to open your Bibles to read the references that are listed. You will then be greatly blessed as, by the grace of God, you become keepers of the words of the prophecy of this scroll. Glory be to God!
To go to the twelve point document, click here.
To copy or download this blog, click here.
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