Walking after the flesh vs. Walking after the Spirit
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A gradual growing into what? A person can say they are going somewhere...and even know the name of the place they are going. But unless there is a real connection with God, the growth cannot be in perfection. That's what we are talking about. What seems both good and right gets in the way of what God wants to do in us.
Paul said...in me dwells NO good thing (in the flesh). So if you are growing and "improving" but without being crucified by the Spirit in the power of the flesh, then you could very well be edifying something that gets in the way of what is perfect. It is easy to miss this.
I have had this type of conversation many times in the past.
We are to yield our members to the Holy Spirit. But unless we are emptied of ourselves we cannot be filled with the Spirit. Paul said...
It is no longer I who live... which means Paul was "out of the way" so to speak. In order for Christ to live through us we need to be crucified with Christ so that His life is made manifest in us. We must decrease and He must increase.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is just that...a full immersion in the Spirit whereby our life is now hidden in God. To be filled with the Spirit means we are empty of ourselves and filled again with what is holy and eternal...Jesus Christ.
There is the idea of "constant growth" but one must be very careful of the warning ..."always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth."
The gradual growing process then becomes learning as we walk in perfection. So then we can improve into what we think is good...or grow into the exact likeness of Jesus. The difference is the scale. That is why I asked you...growth into what? Into the perfection of Christ. Or just being a good person?
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If there is nothing pure in us...then we need to be emptied before we can be filled with what is holy. There is nothing holy in us before that. It is by the Spirit. We must be willing to take on the death of Christ so that the life of Christ can "kick in." That means we are now walking under the power of the Spirit and therefore under grace.
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How do we know what power we are living by? Are we walking as any other human? Are we just human? ...or is there something divine in everything we do? We all walk in the flesh but not all according to the flesh. We have this treasure in earthen vessels.
Is Christ living through us?
Or are living in the same power as before?
So we ought not to think we are doing better than we ought to. We should fear the Lord and be humble. Even if we are walking in resurrection power...it is not us...but Christ. To God be the glory.
Is Christ living through us?
Or are living in the same power as before?
So we ought not to think we are doing better than we ought to. We should fear the Lord and be humble. Even if we are walking in resurrection power...it is not us...but Christ. To God be the glory.
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I return to Paul's letter of Galatians 5 as he shares what are the fruits of the Spirit. (proper noun "S"pirit, meaning walking by the leading of God. ) See Galatians 5.
When walking in the Spirit we're not gratifying our carnal desires, our hedonistic thoughts, our flesh. It isn't a selfish journey we're taking. It is a charitable and compassionate one. That which leaves seeds behind so that the leading of God to serve his purpose at any time produces something positive , blossoms, beyond that moment we were there.
At least that's what I think.
Though I do admit to sometimes walking in the flesh when I see a fresh batch of Krispy Kreme at the grocer.
When walking in the Spirit we're not gratifying our carnal desires, our hedonistic thoughts, our flesh. It isn't a selfish journey we're taking. It is a charitable and compassionate one. That which leaves seeds behind so that the leading of God to serve his purpose at any time produces something positive , blossoms, beyond that moment we were there.
At least that's what I think.
Though I do admit to sometimes walking in the flesh when I see a fresh batch of Krispy Kreme at the grocer.
Amen! Romans 8:8 - So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body isdead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
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Please know that I don't want to receive the grace of God in vain, with respect to all the posts of encouragement and instruction.
I read them, I believe, by the Spirit, and not my m
,
I do not wish to receive the grace of God in vain with what He has made available for us all in these posts.
I believe, as far as I can discern, that I read all the posts by the Spirit, not my carnal mind, especially this and one other.
It is difficult, as you state, to enter in, much less remain, but my resolve seems to be stronger by His grace.
He has shown me the truth and self-deception about myself through these words, unlike any time in my life, where we think we're farther along than we really are, etc.
Not wishing to receive the grace of God in vain with these words, as far as I can discern, I read the posts by the Spirit, especially this one and one other. Actually, all of them. I want to enter in by lunch tomorrow, so to speak, so, it is with much pressing in that I thank Him for His grace and His promise.
I read them, I believe, by the Spirit, and not my m
,
I do not wish to receive the grace of God in vain with what He has made available for us all in these posts.
I believe, as far as I can discern, that I read all the posts by the Spirit, not my carnal mind, especially this and one other.
It is difficult, as you state, to enter in, much less remain, but my resolve seems to be stronger by His grace.
He has shown me the truth and self-deception about myself through these words, unlike any time in my life, where we think we're farther along than we really are, etc.
Not wishing to receive the grace of God in vain with these words, as far as I can discern, I read the posts by the Spirit, especially this one and one other. Actually, all of them. I want to enter in by lunch tomorrow, so to speak, so, it is with much pressing in that I thank Him for His grace and His promise.
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You hit the nail on the head! 
I was in a discussion with Latour a little while back and he accused me of "doing nothing" and thinking that I'm justified by my own belief that has no power and he also accused me of thinking that the Israelites should have just ignored God and did nothing like me, which is slander! You were right about some "works Gospel seeping in to some of his posts."
I told him that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16). Yet he calls the gospel the power to walk as Jesus walked.. (which he confidently and self righteously believes that he does and qualifies to receive eternal life under those terms) and he accused me of not only never experiencing that power, but denying that power even exists.
I've heard similar arguments just like this before from those who teach sinless perfection.
I was in a discussion with Latour a little while back and he accused me of "doing nothing" and thinking that I'm justified by my own belief that has no power and he also accused me of thinking that the Israelites should have just ignored God and did nothing like me, which is slander! You were right about some "works Gospel seeping in to some of his posts."
I told him that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16). Yet he calls the gospel the power to walk as Jesus walked.. (which he confidently and self righteously believes that he does and qualifies to receive eternal life under those terms) and he accused me of not only never experiencing that power, but denying that power even exists.
I've heard similar arguments just like this before from those who teach sinless perfection.
The reason some believers don't bear the fruit they ought to bear is because they are not walking in the Spirit. And they cannot walk in the Spirit because they do not agree with the Holy Spirit. Their thoughts and actions do not line up with His thoughts and directions. When a believer is not yielded to the Holy Spirit, he has a disagreement with God and cannot manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Their testimony is tainted and the world sees much of them, and little of Him in their lives. The results are impotent lives with little impact on a lost, hell-bound world. The Holy Spirit WILL lead us, but we must give up our way and yield ourselves wholly to him.
Note these four things regarding your relationship with God:
No yieldedness, no walk
No yieldedness, no fruit
No yieldedness, no power
No yieldedness, no holiness
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary says: Yield means to deliver up, to give up.
We've all seen a "YIELD" sign somewhere on the streets and highways. When we come to an intersection and are instructed to YIELD, we are to give way to the other driver. There are two interests involved and we are to give up our right of way to the other party. It's the same way with the Lord, and we are specifically instructed in the Bible to YIELD to God and let him have the right of way. Always keep that yield sign in mind when there is a conflict in spiritual matters.
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." (Romans 6:13).
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego yielded their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28).
That's what I call yielded. But it's no more than what is expected of each born again believer today. Those three Hebrew boys gave over their very lives unto death, keeping nothing back from the Lord. Christ wants each of us to do the same (Galatians 2:20).
Look what Paul the apostle says:
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:12-22).
Romans 6:13 tells us that we become the instruments of those things to which we yield ourselves. Instruments of righteousness or instruments of unrighteousness to which are you yielded? Of which have you become an instrument?
Every believer should commit himself daily to yield himself as "servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Romans 6:19).
If we are saved, we have everlasting life, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be manifested as holiness (Romans 6:22).
Remember, no yieldedness, no holiness, BUT
"the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit..."
Note these four things regarding your relationship with God:
No yieldedness, no walk
No yieldedness, no fruit
No yieldedness, no power
No yieldedness, no holiness
Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary says: Yield means to deliver up, to give up.
We've all seen a "YIELD" sign somewhere on the streets and highways. When we come to an intersection and are instructed to YIELD, we are to give way to the other driver. There are two interests involved and we are to give up our right of way to the other party. It's the same way with the Lord, and we are specifically instructed in the Bible to YIELD to God and let him have the right of way. Always keep that yield sign in mind when there is a conflict in spiritual matters.
"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." (Romans 6:13).
"Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego yielded their bodies that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God." (Daniel 3:28).
That's what I call yielded. But it's no more than what is expected of each born again believer today. Those three Hebrew boys gave over their very lives unto death, keeping nothing back from the Lord. Christ wants each of us to do the same (Galatians 2:20).
Look what Paul the apostle says:
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:12-22).
Romans 6:13 tells us that we become the instruments of those things to which we yield ourselves. Instruments of righteousness or instruments of unrighteousness to which are you yielded? Of which have you become an instrument?
Every believer should commit himself daily to yield himself as "servants to righteousness unto holiness" (Romans 6:19).
If we are saved, we have everlasting life, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be manifested as holiness (Romans 6:22).
Remember, no yieldedness, no holiness, BUT
"the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit..."
If a person Is not born AGAIN then they are walking after the flesh but If they are born again then sin Is no longer the Issue but now faith In GOD and they have now been equipped by GOD and will seek to purify themselves even as they are pure and there Is no condemnation to those In JESUS.
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1 John 3:1-3
King James Version(KJV)
1.) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2.)Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3.)And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
King James Version(KJV)
1.) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2.)Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3.)And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Those who are sanctified are set apart/made holy in standing before God, positionally in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:11 - Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 1:2 - To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified (past tense) in Christ Jesus..
Yet I also see progressive sanctification in which the reality of that holiness becomes more and more evident in our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes, and motives. In regards to presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, we read- For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain (present tense) from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.
Here is how I see it. The believer possess a positional, judicial standing of righteousness positionally in Christ (sanctified/set apart/made holy) and, second, a remaining need for practical, progressive holiness.
Yet I also see progressive sanctification in which the reality of that holiness becomes more and more evident in our actions, words, thoughts, attitudes, and motives. In regards to presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, we read- For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain (present tense) from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.
Here is how I see it. The believer possess a positional, judicial standing of righteousness positionally in Christ (sanctified/set apart/made holy) and, second, a remaining need for practical, progressive holiness.
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