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                    WALK IN THE SPIRIT

"But I say walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God)." [The text is taken
from the Amplified Version of the Bible].

Introduction

This is a vital part of the true conversion experience in the life of the believer. It is a sadly absent one too. In the lack of examples to follow, there are very few lives of a true "witness" that we may emulate. Within the present Christian community, the popular "numbers game" being played out in many church circles that seem to be in competition with each other, the hope of developing and building Christian Character is almost non-existent.

    Let us begin with a question, a question that would help us put matters in perspective. In a genuine, born-again, conversion experience, there must be discipleship, an increasing love for God's word and fellowship with other like–minded believers. Preferably, in a small community, as these are the ingredients needed and important for building sound lives, lives of commitment, discipline and discipleship.

    In the greater unfolding dimension of "the kingdom of God" on the earth, being an integral part of the New Covenant established by our Lord at the Lord's Supper, all four Gospel writers through the working of the Holy Spirit upon their lives clearly perceived the importance the Centrality of Jesus Christ. In order to affect the leading and guiding of the Sovereign Spirit, Jesus Christ has to be Lord and the center of all things.

    Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians to encourage them to make a proper response to The Holy Spirit that they might not live on the level of their lower nature. Realistically, this struggle would continue between the Spirit of God, upon us at the time of conversion and the lower nature with its sinful appetites (Gal. 5:17-21). So as a believer, don't get your hope too high that all is going to be OK. We have been redeemed from the power of sin, but we have not been freed from the presence of sin.

We live in a fallen, sinful world, surrounded by all those outside God's salvation, who are diametrically opposed to all Godliness. We too lived under those circumstances not too long ago. Now we have been freed, don't expect "a pat on the back" for your change from the folks around you. In fact, it may be the just the opposite. Paul desired that the believers in Galatia and all the churches in Asia, would bear the fruit of the "full harvest of the Spirit" What does all this mean to us in all practicality? Let us consider three areas that would help form a basis for living. Walk also implies an ongoing relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by the study and meditation upon His word. The Holy Spirit does not work outside God's revealed word. Therefore, a disciple must be a disciplined follower of the Lord.

To be led is to be related to Him, to be related to Him will result in being led. Makes a lot of sense too since the word and Spirit makes no mistakes in the daily application of Truth.

To walk implies progress.

It is not the will of God that we remain as we are or where we are. This was never the intention of the Divine purpose of God in creation. God would have us to walk forward towards maturity and fruitfulness (Gen. 1:24-31). Being discipled and discipling others, so that bearing fruit is an integral part also of what our Lord taught and lived amongst his own disciples-in-training. It is a long obedience in the same direction. The objective is not to get to heaven, but be witnesses to His grace, mercy and fullness in a sick and dying world.

To walk implies direction.

God would not have us go backwards from our tasks and opportunities. Neither would He have us to walk in aimless circles or even as some Christians say, when asked "how they are keeping" the disgusting reply would be –Oh, I am just hanging in there, a true believer just hanging in there? If this is the present condition in your thinking you need to repent, since you have undermined the Divine Purpose in salvation. We were not saved just to "hang in there".

     Therefore, by His Spirit He would lead us in the paths of righteousness and fullness as He lead Paul by the Spirit and guided the apostle, He will also guide each one of us in our walk in a similar manner, if we are sensitive and responsive to His leadership. This walk is for the whole person, each moment, every day. It is a walk in the midst of all the circumstances of life and all its challenges. "You are in the world, but not of the world." Jesus did not command us to escape the world into some form of ascetic life, cloistered away from all reality.

To walk implies – Walking in the Spirit.

There are at least five ways in which we know the Spirit wants us to walk. We can count on Him to assist us in every way possible. He is the Gracious Holy Spirit.

1. The Holy Spirit will help us to walk worthy of our Christian calling (Eph.4:1).
   
2. The Holy Spirit will help us to walk differently from the unsaved (Eph.4:17).
   
3. The Holy Spirit will help us to walk in love (Eph. 5:2).
   
4. The Holy Spirit will help us to walk as the children of light (Eph. 5:8).
   
5. The Holy Spirit will help us to walk in wisdom (Eph.5:15).
   

Conclusion

The Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of the believer. He is as close to you and me as the breath we take. Let us then by faith (obedience) recognize His presence. Let us respond to His leadership with joy, and walk forward into the future with courage and cheer, for God has wonderful things in store for each of us if we seek to "walk in the Spirit".

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THE VOICE OF A PROPHET

"He who refuses and ignores instruction and correction despises himself, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding." (Prov. 15:32) Amplified Bible

Other passages to consider are – (2Chron. 36:15-16).

"The Voice of God is a friendly voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it." A.W. Tozer

Many of the laws of God are what are known as self-executing laws. This means that they carry with them the seed of their own punishment and it is impossible for a person to sin, be in rebellion and escape suffering.

 

God's Love is – Confrontive.

         God's Love is – Convicting.

         God's Love is – Convincing.

         God's Love – leads to repentance.

God's Love – then restores the "whole" person to worship Him and Him alone.

What does all this really mean? The implications are very serious as well as restorative, given the nature of one's response to His Love.

The Bulk of the Bible between Genesis 3 and Revelation 19 is largely corrective. In many different ways, it addresses an utterly fallen human condition, through remedy and through judgment. It points out – repeatedly – that we are in need of a change.

    That's not a very popular position in this world. We don't like being confronted with our sin, especially in America, rooted deeply in individualism and an "I can do it by my self attitude." Many have emphatically rejected Christianity because there are commands and judgments in its Scriptures. We often ignore the God who loves His creation enough to divert us from our own destructive ways. In our own eyes, we often do not see that our own ways are destructive, since even though professing to be "born again" we still are in control of our own lives. What then takes place?

    

 

God, in His great mercy will seek through the Holy Spirit to confront us when we are out of line and He has many manifold ways of doing it. Most often through His word, as in the OT given through His prophets, and God still speaks today through His godly servant leaders, in the local church community setting. Christian men and women who have "spiritual mileage" in their lives and Church history down the ages are replete with such witnesses. Whether we like it or not, His voice often calls us to be "dramatically different."

    The voice of a true prophet is always a voice crying in the wilderness. Often times, it is a lonely voice of redirection, showing all of us as wanderers how to get to the "city of God". It is often not welcome. If it were, it would not have been necessary to begin with. As stated earlier, this world does not like correction, and it is often not interested in getting to God's city. We simply can't afford to absorb the independent ways of this world system, if we claim to have faith, believe in Jesus (the devils do by the way and they tremble, we don't), claim to be "born again" etc; the consequences of judgment are very serious. God will not permit the death of His Only Begotten Son on the Cross to be thrashed.

    When the prophets speak – whether they are the prophets of Scripture or the prophets of our age – we must listen. The loving Father will always correct His children, and we must be open to His correction. Not to have ears to hear Him is suicide. It is like walking off a cliff because we have ignored the true path we were pointed to. It just doesn't make sense.

    One of the many convicting signs of sin in terms of erring or disobedience is that we stress out since our ego is affected by the Word of God that ignites conviction. Absolute, daily surrender is absent, if we still have our ego in place. The true believer is dead, has absolutely no rights and is a "slave to Christ". Can you really hear the convicting voice if you are still attempting to run your life dear one? Repent, and heed the loving voice of your Father, His voice always leads to Life (the Zoe life of God), in that voice of discipline, it will be the marks of Love and it will always point you Home. Come Back Home!! Spiritual homelessness can lead to eternal death and the agony of Hell. Mind you, you will experience hell long before you get there. Today is the Day of Salvation, tomorrow, is never ours.