2008
12.08

Walking In The Spirit

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What does that mean? Watchman Nee said it best that all too often we seek to be in the presence of God and arrive there in prayer. But when the prayer is over somehow they are no longer in His presence (The Breaking of The Outer Man and Release of The Spirit). So how do I maintain the "spiritual walk" apart from the closet? This is done by walking in obedience to the Father after we "come down off the mountain." It is in the valley the Lord wants us to walk in what he has given us on the mount. The truest measure that my "mountain top experience" was spiritual is my carrying it out in the valley. I am not saying that there will not be difficulty. However in the face of difficulty we have a zeal, an intention, a purpose to do that which the Father has commanded.

Walking in the spirit is not a mystery to those who seek His face. However apart from clear biblical teaching is can be very misunderstood.

There are some that believe that walking in the spirit is hearing an inward voice and being led by that voice (only). Others believe that it is reading the scripture following it apart from any impressions (only). I believe they are both right and wrong. It is both.

Walking in the spirit is an absolute necessity. The scripture (Romans 8:1) says that if one does not walk in the spirit they will be condemned. So using God revealed will (the scripture) I walk in obedience to Him, in communion with Him. However when necessary God, by the Spirit, leads me to do some particular thing that in no way conflicts with His revealed will. For instance in the course of my day the Spirit may lead me to put a gospel tract in my pocket. The Spirit then compels me to give the tract to someone. In this instance I am walking in the Spirit just as much as one who does not steal or commits adultery.

As my senses are excersized (by reason of use) I will be able to discern between good and evil.

2008
12.02

Relationship and Fellowship

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FEL’LOWSHIP, n.

1. Companionship; society; consort; mutual association of persons on equal and friendly terms; familiar intercourse.

RELA’TIONSHIP, n. The state of being related by kindred, affinity or other alliance.

All too often we mistake relationship for fellowship and vice versa. We make the fellowship the basis for relationship, when, scripturally, it is the other way around (1John 1). All fellowships must share some commonality. In the case of believers the commonality is the person of Christ. All believers, as it is written, are in Christ. So then our fellowship is based firstly on our relationship with relationship with Him. There are instances where fellowship is to be broken, but the relationship is never broken. So even when we can no longer “break bread” with a brother (or sister) we must still treat them as such. There is a balance that can be achieved but it can only come by way of the Spirit.

Believers should practice fellowshipping together. Today, fellowship never goes beyond denominational boundaries. And even within denominations fellowship is limited. The Father does not see us the we see us. He sees us all as His children. As a parent I don’t see any of my children differently. However with some of my children their practices disappoint me. Not all my children live their life in light of me being pleased. So I, when a disappointing issue occurs, have to use that as a time to encourage proper behavior.

When one of the children misbehave, their siblings don’t shun them. At least with my children I find them encouraging the behavior that is expected. They don’t behave differently towards them. Even when they have to have correction they don’t laugh and say “See I told you that you were going to get the rod!” They try to comfort each other. However in our spiritual relationships we don’t practice the same behavior. We treat each other like they are not our Father’s children. We have practiced a manner of life that is inconsistent with the life that we have been given. This is shameful. After all when we get to eternity we will all be there for a very long time. We should get the practice in now.

Because of our relationship with the Father, we should embrace the relationship we have with each other.

1Cor 13; Phil 2; Eph 1, 2, 3, 4; Gal 6; Acts 2, 4;