Tried and Wondering Why in the Christian Life?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22-23

“Compressed into these nine words we have not only the exact statement as to what Christian character is, but a description, as well, of the life that Christ lived while here on earth. It is also a statement of that manner of life which He would have the Christian experience here and now. These nine words form a Bible definition of what is meant by the phrase, “For me to live is Christ.” Though the world strives at a shadow of what these nine words represent, the reality is foreign to human nature, even when that nature is at its best. These graces, as here presented, are exotics and are never found in human nature unless produced there by the power of God. They are the ‘fruit of the Spirit.’” L. S. Chafer, He That is Spiritual.

So many times in our lives we are trying to be better Christians and to please God with our lives. Many times we might be going about it in the wrong way though. I remember early in my walk with God, that I saw other Christians who seemed to have “it all together.” I wanted to be like them. And so, I would try to do the same things they were doing. The problem was “I” was trying to do all the work. I missed the whole point of being better for Christ and His Kingdom, by just inserting the “I” part of the transforming life. Later, when I found myself unable to do what others were doing, I got frustrated and went backward in my Christian walk. I felt like many Christians today; I got tired. I missed the whole point as Chafer said above; I tried to use the human nature part of me to fuel the transformation process. I thought surely that if I were trying to transform my life that God would honor that part. I was wrong though. My “fuel” comes from the Spirit’s ability to transform my life as I later discovered. Even in my best efforts and strives to be better, it wasn’t enough. Why? Because of the nature that lives within me has an inability to effect change without the One who lives inside me giving me the “fuel” to do so. Besides, why would I think that if God used His power to save me that He would leave my salvation to me here while I’m on earth to struggle through until I get to heaven?

In our lives, if the aim were no higher than the standards of the world, it might seem reasonable to try to build a Christian character; but even then, there would be no Scripture to warrant the human struggle. The True Christian character is the “fruit of the Spirit.” This means all I could do in my own human effort would be to attain the standard of the world’s character, which is flawed at best from the very beginning. Besides, if there is a spiritual transformation to occur in my life, I must yield myself to the “spiritual” influence that equips and “fuels” me to the direction and equipping from the Spirit of God.

So how much of the Spirit are you yielding to today? Are you trying to work your salvation out on your own and finding yourself tired and worn out like I was? I beg you today not to neglect the inner “fuel” you have which will always give you the ability to bring forth a harvest of the fruits of the Spirit. Remember, the fruits are of the Spirit, not of our abilities and efforts…

What's the Big Deal with Drinking?

“To be filled with the Spirit is to have the Spirit fulfilling in us all that God intended Him to do when He placed Him there. To be filled is not the problem of getting more of the Spirit; it is rather the problem of the Spirit getting more of us. We shall never have More of the Spirit than the anointing which every true Christian has received. On the other hand, the Spirit may have all of the believer and thus be able to manifest in him the life and character of Christ. A spiritual person, then, is one who experiences the divine purpose and plan in his daily life through the power of the indwelling Spirit. The character of that life will be the out-lived Christ. The cause of that life will be the unhindered indwelling Spirit (Eph. 3:16-21; 2 Cor. 3:18).” L. S. Chafer, He That is Spiritual.

In the New Testament, these things are clear about how this new adjusted life is supposed to look. Throughout the New Testament, these things are also important to understand since they lead to a life of true spiritual definition and walk. However, many never take the time to “at length,” learn from the source to better understand the walk which has been so clearly been shared with us through God’s Word.

Throughout my life as a Christian, I have been asked about my stance on drinking alcohol as a Christian. I have explained as such: In the New Testament there are three different times where the effect of strong drink are mentioned against the Spirit filled life (Luke 1:15, Acts 2:12-21, and Eph. 5:18). If we are to lead a Spirit led life and controlled by the Spirit, we don’t need a competing force to complicate or make the journey of Christian walk any harder. Let’s face it, the walk of a true Christian is not for wimps. In tough times alcohol is used as an escape mechanism for those who are going through a stressful time. If you have consumed alcohol before you know alcohol lowers inhibitions and causes us many times to become someone we are not. The result is opposite to the controlled life through the Spirit of God. In fact, over time, the more one gives themselves to alcohol they end up turning to it in the future for comfort rather than God Himself. The result of this is a life which suffers an impossible heavenly walk and service, because the control is from the greater party called alcohol. This dependence on alcohol becomes the controlling factor of life rather than the complete dependence on God. Would you purchase alcohol with Jesus or your pastor standing there? Most wouldn’t.

Will it change our salvation? No, Jesus paid that debt by His sacrifice and nothing you or I can do undoes that security. Does it complicate our sanctification? Absolutely. Let’s face it; we need God’s presence in our life every second of every day as a Christian. And we don’t need any more distractions than we already have. Consider this as well. The Bible calls us ambassadors of Christ. An ambassador represents the One who called him. If we walk around saying we have the freedom to do this and to do that, I would say “sure you do,” but does it represent the One who sent you well (John 4:34)? Does our testimony show others we depend upon the world’s solutions to help us and do we really think that people identify Christians with the “party scene?” I know we have the power to do all things through Christ our Lord (Phil 4:13). Don’t let anything stop you this year from allowing the full and complete control of the Spirit of God in your life this year. Make this year one which is fully controlled by the Spirit of God!

For more info, read a good article at:  http://www.gty.org/resources/print/study-guide-chapter/1667

Looking for Something Else?

A Christian, to be spiritual, must, then, be filled and kept filled by the Spirit. An experience may or may not accompany the first entrance into the Spirit-filled life; but, even when there is an experience, the Bible knows nothing of a “second blessing,” or “second work of grace,” wherein there will be any less need of the mighty enabling power God tomorrow than there has been today. One may learn better how to “walk in the Spirit”; but he will never come to a moment in this life when he will need to walk less by the Spirit. The divine resources for a moment by moment triumph in Christ are limitless; but the utter need of the helpless creature never ceases. L. S. Chafer, He That is Spiritual.

When Paul experienced his “blinding light” experience on the road to Damascus, he was saved at that time. He met Jesus head-on. At this time he received the Spirit of God in its sealing capacity. Later after he arrived in Damascus, Ananias came to him, placed his hands on him. At this time Paul received his sight and the filling of the Spirit of God. His salvation (sealing) came on the road to Damascus, and the filling came later once he entered the city where Ananias waited. If you note in Acts 9:17-20, Paul went on to preach in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. He wasn’t aware of some great “second filling” at that time or “second blessing.” Nevertheless, he was filled with the Spirit of God as he preached Jesus. These two are distinct in nature.

In a day and age where many Christians are looking to receive something extra in their salvation, know this; Jesus finalized all that we will ever need in our salvation in the moment it happens. We don’t need Him to add anything to our salvation. In fact, how scary would our salvation be if God didn’t get it right the first time and needed to add something to it once we received it? It really wouldn’t be finished would it? This is why we also see Jesus say on the cross before He died, “It is finished.” If it weren’t finished, then God wouldn’t be perfect in sealing us maybe either, which means He didn’t either have or remembered to do it right. This means He isn’t God, because God is perfect; and our salvation is perfect too!

As one speaker I was listening to this last week said; “Too many times we are looking for God to add something to our lives and asking for things in our lives, when all we need to do is deal with the sin in our lives and it will become a life of reward and happiness.” We constantly are looking for something in our lives many times as Christians and are missing the life that we have been given in Christ. Most of the time it is because we are looking to live the life of Christianity outside the original design of what Jesus intended. We want to morph the life we have now and ask God to bless it when it doesn’t even line up with the plan He has set for us.

So what do we do about learning and understanding what our lives are about in this thing called Christian Salvation? Let’s do some studies in the following areas: Grace, Propitiation, Substitution, and Righteousness, to name a few. Take your concordance out and look up these words this week and coming. I guarantee you will have plenty of things to consider that you might not have seen before. May the Lord guide your studies when you do so!

First Filling? Second Filling? Which one?

In the Bible, the meaning of the phrase “filled with the Spirit,” is disclosed, and the filling of the Spirit is also seen to be the experience of the early Christians. From the Word of God, then, we can hope to arrive at some clear understanding of what is meant by the phrase, the “filling of the Spirit”; but there is no instruction to be gained from such man-made, unbiblical terms as “second blessing,” “a second work of grace,” “the higher life,” and various phrases used in the perverted statements of the doctrines of sanctification and perfection. An unlimited field lies before us when we are told that we may be “changed from glory to glory” even into the image of Christ, and that by the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18). What this transformation may mean to a believer and the exact conditions upon which it may be realized, must be understood, not from the imperfect analysis of experience upon which it may be realized, must be understood, not from the imperfect analysis of experience, but from the words of revelation. L. S. Chafer, He That is Spiritual

So what is Chafer really trying to say here? What he is saying is this. There is an ability of God, through the Bible, to transform a life which is the image of Christ. Not in the sense that we can become Jesus ourselves (for He is God and we aren’t), but a real possibility to be transformed like the Christians from early years through the revelation of God (His Word). I think so many times, many Christians think that since the era of the first century Christians have passed that it is no longer possible for us to live a life like they. We tend to look back and say “well that is fine for them, since they were of a different caliber and different circumstances.” Let’s set this straight, the Holy Spirit is the same person we experience today as they.

In an era where the “second blessing,” “second work of grace” is being preached, this notion that one can receive more than another by an “experience,” doesn’t line up with scripture is simply not true. All it does is elevate the one who has the “experience,” to a higher plain than another. This can become an issue of pride, self-attention, or even more scary issues. So when someone tells you they have had an experience which is part of something which they received after their salvation by a so called “second blessing”; be careful. When we were saved, we received the “whole Holy Spirit,” not something in part that can be revealed later by an experience. It is possible to live to a higher caliber of life in-Christ Jesus by being filled daily. You note this by Chafer, “By His power the very “virtues of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light” and the “mind of Christ” may be reproduced in the one who is saved.” And those blessings are set forth in the Word of God.

Looking for an experience today? You will find it through God’s Word which will transform you through your obedience to it. Make this year a wonderful year and experience the life God has in store for you; the way it was supposed to be!