Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all - Ephesians 4:1-5
I want you to think about what makes you distinctive as a Christian. What makes you different from the man or woman you meet that is not a Christian. OK, times up! It is the presence of the Holy Spirit in a Christian. You might think of the Holy Spirit like a wireless internet connection. Without it - you cannot communicate with God.
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.- John 3:5-6
At the moment that you place your faith in Jesus, God seals you with the Holy Spirit.
[You] 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
The Holy Spirit is who enables you with a spiritual nature. Yes you are saved by faith. But God has sent the Spirit to help us.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. - John 14:26
Because we have the same Spirit we can have unity as the Body. We are cautioned to not be unevenly yoked. Meaning that we cannot be in spiritual agreement with someone else who has not been born again - is not sealed by the Spirit of God.
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial [worthless, wicked or destroyer - also a demon]? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? - 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
In the Bible Study, Experiencing God, the author, Dr. Henry Blackaby, describes seven spiritual realities. Realities that that unsaved cannot see or will they embrace. The fourth reality is that God speaks to us. Not in an audible voice as he did with Moses, Samuel and the prophets but by His Spirit through the Word of God, prayer, circumstances and other Christians (those who are sealed by the same Spirit).
I remember some years ago - 1994 - I met with a pastor, Pastor David Wooten, in the parking lot at a BP gas station next to the Clanton, Alabama Peach water tower to talk about men's ministry and the Promise Keeper ministry. (I later went on to be staff with Promise Keepers as the Alabama and Mississippi state manager.) Pastor Wooten talked to me about his vision, what he believed the Holy Spirit was leading him to do in men's ministry. He must have talked non-stop for 15 or 20 minutes. Then he looked me square in the eyes and asked, "So what do you think?"
About 5 minutes in to his speaking I already had a sense of spiritual agreement with him. I can't really explain the feeling - well, it isn't really a feeling - more of a knowing - knowing when you don't know why you know. So I said the only thing I could say. "Yes! You are right in your understanding of what God is doing through Promise Keepers and what he is asking us to join Him in doing with the Christian men in Alabama." That was all I had to say about it and that started an amazing partnership and journey in men's ministry.
How can two walk together unless they be agreed - Amos 3:3
You cannot be evenly yoked and walk together spiritually unless you are both sealed by the Spirit of God and you have not quenched the Spirit.
Do not quench the Spirit. - 1 Thessalonians 5:19
How do you quench the Spirit? Grieving or quenching the Spirit is suppressing or hindering the Spirit’s influence in a believer’s life. Engaging in behaviors that cause sorrow to the Spirit (sin or spiritual apathy) grieves or quenches the Holy Spirit. Believers can avoid grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit by aligning with God’s ways and putting off the flesh. Having clean hands and a clean heart.
When we are submitted to the leading of the Spirit then the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in our lives and the gifts of the Spirit will be at work through us.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:22-25
What has He been saying to you? Are you listening for His voice?
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
No comments:
Post a Comment