[QUOTE="Cameron143,
Also, I'm not interested in scriptural references. I'm interested in your personal experience. You have an excellent grasp of scripture on the subject. I'm interested in your experience.
God has saved me from the sinful life I was living. I had wrong views on life, my worldview was self centered and unbiblical.
When God drew me savingingly to the lord jesus, i did not know anything biblically. I did not know for example, that there was an old testament, and a new testament. I did not know what the letters and numbers meant such as Jn 6;37.
I was completely ignorant of the teaching of scripture, and had started reading the bible to see what was in it so I could defend myself against Christians.
Over all I have come to find out that
psalm 1 is exactly true, and have learned to commune with God through prayer, and bible study.
Mostly scriptural input, reading , lisitening to sermons,[sermonaudio], the means of grace, and fellowship of godly companions.
I drove a commercial vehicle coast to coast and have listened to many sermons during that time.
If godly men are preaching at a location, I have made a point to prayerfully attend those meetings , and if possible attend those meetings with a view to interact with these men and often receive correction on false ideas I might have entertained.
i do not have any simple 5 step plan , or secret to impart. I have been instructed by God, and am still looking to improve my understanding and service daily, like this;
Phil3:
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
In other words, we are called to obedience of faith.
Rom16;19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
Being indwelt by the Spirit, Christians who obey have a biblically educated conscience. being "led of the Spirit" is not as much a mystical thing, but rather a God consciousness...look in Eph 4 and 5. we used to sin, but now we walk in light, we used to steal, but now we work, etc...it happens as a result of seeking God in prayer, like the hymn, trust and obey;
Eph4:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.[/QUOTE]
How does one do this? By keeping all the commandments top of mind, or by following after the Spirit? We don't focus on commandments, but by focusing on Christ and reacting appropriately in His strength. The fruit of the Spirit isn't something we adorn ourselves with, but the Spirit. We don't think...hey, I think I'll be gentle towards this individual; we simply respond in gentleness as the Spirit moves in us. Our endeavor isn't obedience, but to enter the presence of God wherein we are changed from glory to glory.
