Flesh and Spirit: part 4

Flesh and Spirit will always be with us.   If you haven’t been following check out the first Flesh and Spirit post here.  I’ve spent some time contrasting the two but the reality is both are a part of us.  It isn’t a war, it is a reality.  We have our flesh that is learning a new identity.  We have our Spirit that is walking with and joined with the Holy Spirit.  We have our soul which is the storehouse of experience and emotion.  Our mind crosses all of them and is learning how to think differently.  The key to growing in understanding and walking this out like Jesus, is to walk in the Spirit.

So how do we walk in the Spirit?  Have you thought about that before?  Religion tells you it is “to live free from sin.”  I challenge anyone to accomplish that impossible task.  Only Jesus did that.  Some might say it is to be more aware of sin and avoid temptation.  Good idea but why would I concentrate on sin instead of Jesus?  Some would say it is being conscious of and deliberate in following God’s laws.  Interesting concept but the law gives power to sin and focuses on self not Jesus.

Walking in the Spirit is exactly what it says.  We walk with God.  Our spirit is one with the Holy Spirit.  Our spirit knows without a doubt that God is for us.  When we walk in the presence of God we know He has our back.  When we rest in the Spirit of Christ we know that He has already overcome and we are victorious.  When we walk with the Spirit of Truth we never doubt that we are a child of God and He loves us.  When we walk with the source of life and live from His life, we are filled with the power of resurrection life.  Every circumstance will absolutely yield to the goodness of God.  Every situation will bow to King Jesus.  Every moment eagerly awaits the breath of God.  We have His breath.  We have Him.

Practically speaking it comes from walking upright.  We stop agreeing with Hell and instead agree with God.  We stop letting the enemy lie to us and pound us with despair.  We stop letting the religious and self-righteous tell us how awful we are.  We stop believing the lie that we are miserable sinners and instead remember we are saints.  We stop believing we are orphans and instead remember we are heirs.  We are His kids.  We should walk like we are His kids.  We should boldly step into His presence and walk side by side with the one who loves us more than we can imagine.  We don’t cower.  We don’t hide.  We don’t slump our shoulders in defeat.

Want some verses?  How about these few:

Heb 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESVST)

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  (ESV)

Eph 3:8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith . (ESV)

Heb 7:18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. (ESV)

Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.  (ESV)

This is not a new concept.  Jesus died so we will know we are free.  Jesus becomes our sin so we know we are clean.  Jesus sheds His blood of a new covenant so we will know we are reconciled.  Jesus is the proof of God’s love when we forget.  Jesus is the expression of God’s love that we are conformed to.  But even before Jesus went to the cross God’s heart was for us to draw near in confidence.  We missed it.  We hid in the bushes.  Jesus took away any excuses to stay away.  We were always supposed to come into His presence.  Check this out.

Psalm 15
Living in the Shining Place
A poetic song, by King David.
Lord, who dares to dwell with You? Who presumes the privilege Of being close to You; Living next to you in Your shining place of glory? Who are those who daily dwell In the life of the Holy Spirit?  They are passionate and wholehearted, Always sincere and always speaking the truth— For their hearts are trustworthy. They refuse to slander or offend others, By tripping over their tongue. They’ll never listen to gossip or rumors. Nor would they ever harm another with their words. They will speak out passionately against evil, and evil workers; While commending the faithful ones who follow after the truth. They always keep their promises, even if it ruins them. They never crush others with exploitation or abuse And they would never be bought with a bribe against the innocent. They’re the ones who will enter into the life of the Spirit. Never shaken, they will stand firm forever. (The Passion Translation)

That is walking in the Spirit.  It isn’t hard.  It isn’t a struggle.  It isn’t a chore.  It isn’t a test.  It isn’t a right of passage.  It is just walking with Jesus.  Go ahead and take a walk. Stand upright, shoulders back and be proud of your Abba.  Take your flesh with you.  Maybe it will learn a few things along the way.

Yay God!

Lance