Walk in the Spirit

 Gal 5:24,25
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts…If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

It is the lust of the flesh, the carnal sinful nature of man that wars against us walking in the Spirit. Having accepted the gift of God, salvation through Christ, our lives have been transformed. Our sins have been washed away in the blood of Jesus. Those things that we have done in the past have all been put to death. We no longer live to gratify the lust of sinful flesh. The experience of holiness, or sanctification provides us with the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we walk in the light of God, we come to a place in our lives that we have not only put to death the lust of our flesh, but we surrender the totality of our being. Everything we have, everything we are given to God. We learn to live and walk in the Spirit, giving us the power to triumph over sin and the temptations that Satan brings before us. What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? Walking in the Spirit is to yield ourselves to what God wants and desires of us, to live blameless and without filling the lust of the flesh. If we fail to walk in the Spirit, He is faithful to call us back to Him. Paul was clear that if we continue to live a life fulfilling the lust of the flesh, that we cannot inherit the kingdom (heaven). Living, and walking in the Spirit will keep us faithful to the way God wants us to live.

Follow The Lord

Deut. 13:4

 You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him

This scripture is full of things to do: follow, fear, keep, listen, serve and cling to the Lord. Many follow the world and its progressive thinking, many fear the Covid virus and fear for their life. People will keep and commit to causes to save the earth, but neglect to keep God’s word to save their soul. Voices come from all directions, and many are led astray by people who give out a voice that appears to be good, but it leads to destruction. There are those serving the world and the pleasure of sin, and they cling to the sin that they love, and refuse to let go. Living for God is a full abandonment to be all that God wants us to be. It requires all of our energy and surrender to Him and His will. Serving God is not a “go to church once a week thing”. It is a day by day walk that requires us to live a life filled with the Holy Spirit. The commandment given in the OT is also given in the NT. Be filled with the Spirit, draw close to God, and walk in His word.

More of Him

Matt. 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

We seek what we desire. If we desire the things of God, we find time to get more of Him. Seeking righteousness is not done by accident, it is intentional and with purpose. Those who look for ways to fill their lives with good things will find satisfaction. God is ready to bless those who hunger and thirst after Him. Those who read His word, find time to pray, worship Him in the place of worship, and desire to live a consistent life of holiness. We live in a culture where people are entice to live to seek the pleasures of the flesh. To follow the fleshly desires that appeal to the carnal heart. Desires that are forbidden in God’s word. As we seek God for salvation and sanctification, He deepens our desire for more of Him. As we seek for more of Him, He fills us with His Spirit and empowers us to live holy.

Filled With The Holy Spirit

Acts. 9:17 …the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

The Bible is filled with scripture where believers in Christ are filled with the Holy Spirit after they have turned their life over to Christ and their sins have been forgiven. The Day of Pentecost is a historical event that demonstrates that the Holy Spirit desires to indwell all believers to equip them to live a victorious life in Christ. Empowering them to preach the gospel of Jesus without fear of man. This is the foundation principle of holiness. A Holy God through the Holy Spirit, living in and through those who name the Name of Christ. There is no formula, or procedure manual showing how this takes place. It is  base on Bible teaching, that God will not dwell in an unclean vessel. The vessel must be sanctified before it can be filled. This is the Wesleyan doctrine. Believe in the Lord Jesus and be saved. Consecrate and surrender your life to the will of God, and the Holy Spirit will come to all who trust and obey.

A Lamp with Oil

Matt 25:3 “They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them”

A lamp without oil is useless. Religion without the presence of God is also useless. Being ready for the returning bridegroom is more than having a form of religion. Professing to be a Christian goes beyond the dressing of going to church or being raised to believe certain truths. The wise that have their lamps filled with oil are those who have trusted Christ for salvation and depend on the merit of the blood of Jesus to cleanse their heart from all unrighteousness. Being ready is to have your vessel (your heart) filled with God’s love and living in His presence in every situation and circumstance we find ourselves in. A lamp filled with oil is to have the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, leading us in our daily walk with God. “Fill my lamp Lord, and help me never to be without”. 

Power From Above

Luke 24:49 “And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high.”- 

For us to be effective below, we must have the power from above. Once we are endued, filled, empowered by the Holy Spirit, the impact of our life for Christ increases greatly. The power from on high fills our hearts with perfect and fearless love to live for God no matter what circumstances and situations come our way. The promise of Christ He gave to His followers before ascending to heaven was to send the Holy Spirit to fill us, so that our lives would be Holy Ghost directed. Living a victorious Christian life can only be done consistently when the Holy Spirit dwells with in each one of us. Without Him, we become easy prey for the devil.