Living Inside Out
What grace we have recieved, that we should be called sons of God, and that is what we are. The eternal all-powerful life of God has become our life. The nature of the Lord is now become our nature. The Spirit of God to do the works of God has taken up his residence in us. We are the very body of Christ. We are the very sons of God. We now bear the image of the eternal God, as we have been born again after His kind, the God kind. It does not yet appear what we shall be, but when Jesus appears, we shall be like Him.
This calls for a radical change in the way we live. In the past we all lived according to our own thoughts and desires. But now we are called to live after the Spirit, where we are in communion and joined with God. We are not two, but one. Just as the Father is in Jesus, so Jesus is in me. The old life has died, and the life of God has started. We are to walk in this new life. It's not a mixture of the old and new, but a new creation.
To walk in this life we have to live from "the inside out" where all the treasures of Christ are hidden. These are not hidden from us, but for us. We are to draw out these treasures from the well of salvation. We are to draw on the communion of the Spirit and receive the blessings of God. Both for us and to minister life to the world. We are to train ourselves to hear and obey the promptings of the Spirit. To live in companionship with him. To walk with God.
Let's look at the work of the Spirit. In Acts 2:17
The Lord has said; "not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." The time has come for us to put away our own thoughts, and ways. The work can only be accomplished through and by the Spirit. We have to get in step with Him. We have to seek the plans and purpose and will of God. I look around and see a lot of discussion of different areas of God. But see little of the prophetic word and revelation of the Spirit. I want to hear of the manifestations of His power. I want to hear prophesies of His plans for the people's of the nations, and other things that I haven't even considered. Of the signs, wonders, and mighty acts. This is what sets the church apart from the world; the power of God. As Paul said; "the kingdom of God is not a matter of speech, but of power".
This is our heritage, and our inheritance, to walk in the power of God. To proclaim the mind of God. To demonstrate the life that is within us, in signs, wonders, and mighty acts. Anything less is settling for the traditions of men. The presence of God should be obvious to those around us. It should be said of us, as it was of Jesus; "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know."
This calls for a radical change in the way we live. In the past we all lived according to our own thoughts and desires. But now we are called to live after the Spirit, where we are in communion and joined with God. We are not two, but one. Just as the Father is in Jesus, so Jesus is in me. The old life has died, and the life of God has started. We are to walk in this new life. It's not a mixture of the old and new, but a new creation.
To walk in this life we have to live from "the inside out" where all the treasures of Christ are hidden. These are not hidden from us, but for us. We are to draw out these treasures from the well of salvation. We are to draw on the communion of the Spirit and receive the blessings of God. Both for us and to minister life to the world. We are to train ourselves to hear and obey the promptings of the Spirit. To live in companionship with him. To walk with God.
Let's look at the work of the Spirit. In Acts 2:17
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."The Spirit of God will empower us to speak new things, the things that the Lord has layed up for this time. He will show us things to come. Things that we have not yet understood, and that we have not seen. The Spirit gives revelation and knowledge and wisdom from God. So that we might walk in the paths that have been prepared for us. Who then is the visionary, where is the dreamer? Is it not us! Have we neglected our higher calling by substituting knowledge and intellectual study for revelation and wisdom from the Spirit? What of the wonders and signs, and miracles. We all have received the same Spirit. Then we are the people to whom this work has been given by the Spirit. We should therefore make every effort to enter into this work of God.
The Lord has said; "not by power nor by might, but by my Spirit saith the Lord." The time has come for us to put away our own thoughts, and ways. The work can only be accomplished through and by the Spirit. We have to get in step with Him. We have to seek the plans and purpose and will of God. I look around and see a lot of discussion of different areas of God. But see little of the prophetic word and revelation of the Spirit. I want to hear of the manifestations of His power. I want to hear prophesies of His plans for the people's of the nations, and other things that I haven't even considered. Of the signs, wonders, and mighty acts. This is what sets the church apart from the world; the power of God. As Paul said; "the kingdom of God is not a matter of speech, but of power".
This is our heritage, and our inheritance, to walk in the power of God. To proclaim the mind of God. To demonstrate the life that is within us, in signs, wonders, and mighty acts. Anything less is settling for the traditions of men. The presence of God should be obvious to those around us. It should be said of us, as it was of Jesus; "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know."
posted by pete porter | 10:36 AM
6 Comments:
"We all have received the same Spirit. Then we are the people to whom this work has been given by the Spirit. We should therefore make every effort to enter into this work of God."
"If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:17-20.
It is dangerous to tell people they should go heal people. Especially since God states He did not give every follower the same roles. We are all here to play a role in God's master plan. We do not all share the same gifts. What if you tell someone they are not trying hard enough for God because they can't heal someone, and they just give up on God all together? What if they were just not meant to heal people? Are you a prophet? Are you not reaching deep enough in the Holy Spirit? Are you not trying hard enough?
Anonymous,
Are you walking in love? This is the first command. Everything else works by love.
Be Blessed,
Pete
Why do you ask if I walk in love? Do you believe I do not love because I don't believe everyone can heal? Of course, I walk in love. Do you? Or, do you just question peoples' love because you have no other response? Am I wrong that God says we all play different roles? Are the scriptures not clear enough?
"Have we neglected our higher calling by substituting knowledge and intellectual study for revalation and wisdom from the Spirit? What of the wonders and signs, and miracles."
Are these verses you quoted suppose to add credibility to your statement? The verses say "in the last days." Are these the last days? Do you need wonders, signs, and miracles to let you believe in God? Can you not look at a new born baby and see the miracle? Can you not see the rainbow outside and see it as a sign? Can you not see the wonder in the dove that flies? What miracles do you need? We are not to ask of a sign from God. Our faith is what makes us believe. Does someone need to be healed to be a miracle. What about the loving father who was given three years to live, nine years ago? Is that not a miracle? He is not healed, but he has been given more time to spend with his family and to do God's work.
It is not a question of whether or not I live in love. The question is why do you need proof from God to believe? If you believe you have the gift of healing, by all means go spread the Word of God and heal those who are to be healed. Do not waste your time spreading ill feelings to those who do not heal. It is not very Christian-like. I will pray for you.
Anonymous,
Thank you for your prayers. I was not meaning to judge. The point is that love of the God kind will show the goodness and greatness of God to those around us. God has no problem showing his love with power. In fact that is what He promised. Jesus is our example. Jesus said; "the works that I do, you will do also, and greater works than these, because I'm going to the Father." That is what I'm looking for, the believers to walk in the promises of God. Not all will have the same gifts, but all can witness by the Spirit's power in one way or another. I agree that life itself is a miracle from God, and we have all received grace upon grace.
Another good post, Pete! keep up the good work, its very refreshing to read here!
GBYAY
Brother John,
As always a pleasure to hear from you. Thank you for the encouragement, and for steadfastness in love.
Be Blessed,
Pete
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