“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. “- Galatians 5:16
by Rhonda Jones
Act 17:28 declares, “In Him (Christ) we live and move and have our being.” Yet in reality we can’t be in Him unless He is in us. There are those in the last days who will have done many mighty works in His name, but He will declare, “Depart from me, I never knew you.” (Matthew 7:21)
Jesus said in John 14:24, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” They will listen to and follow His leading, inspirations, promptings, and words. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” I believe we can live in continual communion with God by connecting to the Holy Spirit within us, giving Him full reign, and walking in complete faith, love, and trust. When Christ said, ‘I and the Father are one” and “I only do the things the Father tells me to do,” (John 8) Christ was living in this perfect state of union with God. Creating this union, involves the constant emptying of carnally-minded and fear-based thinking and becoming an empty vessel where Christ’s spirit can dwell and live. We can cultivate a temple that is available to God’s Spirit 24/7 as we continue to root out and pull up anything that would taint our hearts or block the spirit from entering in.
God never forces himself upon us, and will only occupy as much space as we will allow. Whatever space you leave for Christ, he will take it automatic. As you empty your heart and mind of all that clutters or defiles your spirit, because you are a believer, the spirit of Christ takes up residence. We need only have invited him in and we did that when we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior.
Revelations 3:20 says that Christ stands at the door and knocks. He knocks on the door of your mind, your heart, and your consciousness. This is an ongoing process because Christ is always trying to get our attention. He wants to take over. He wants us to stop living and striving in our own efforts and strength. A life in Christ doesn’t have to be like a teeter-totter, living in and out of the spirit. We can actually live and walk in the Spirit of God to the exact extent that we move self out of the way. Who or what is the “self,” the ego, the mind, and the flesh who wants to be in control. Romans 8:7 says that the flesh (the mind) doesn’t submit to the things of God.
I have found on my spiritual walk that a consistent practice of Christian meditation, being in stillness and silence, taking times of restoration and renewal, and dwelling in God’s presence along with reading and meditating on His word has given me the greatest ability to weed out and root up the mindsets that want to continually pull me away from a complete trust and surrender to Christ.
Walking and living in Christ doesn’t drastically change who we are, our personalities per se, we are still us, but instead we have a renewed mind and heart that connects more efficiently with the things of God, and creates more holiness, wisdom, and truth as our foundation. We make decisions with wisdom and understanding. We react to situations with more trust and love.
Walking in the spirit isn’t about becoming this holier than thou Christian who preaches constantly to others or who is always talking about God. I believe walking in the spirit is about letting the Holy Spirit take over your life and your personality, so that no matter what you are doing (working, cooking, playing sports), Christ’s love, joy, and peace is being represented in you; his living waters are flowing through you. It is not something you have to muster up through hours of prayer or supplication, but because you are in union with Christ you automatically respond from the heart of God. It’s really about cultivate a peace within that creates no boundaries or interference standing in the way of receiving divine communication, inspiration, and wisdom from Christ. The clearer the connection, the greater the union and intimacy.
During times of decision we want our default response to be one of faith and trust; however we must develop this through practice, by stomping out thoughts of fear and doubt and bringing every part of us under subjection. When we notice we are reacting in any way but trust and love, “for where there is strive and envy there is confusion and every evil work,” if there is enough of the Holy Spirit within us, He will bring us quickly back to a place of peace, joy, faith, and trust.
This is when life becomes a meditation unto the Lord because you don’t have to invoke the Holy Spirit’s powers, his power lives, abides, and leads you every moment of the day. This is where we should all inspire to be.
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Hi Bx, Thanks for your message. Can you send me some references regarding the book of Revelation. I have been listening to a Biblical teacher named Komorusan and he is saying the same thing. Here is a link to one of his videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxNMrjCTV6A. I am not saying I agree with it, but I am finding it interesting and would like to dig deeper. It would be naive to believe that the powers that be would manipulate every part of society and not the Bible itself. Do you have any reference materials I can view as well? It is so important that we draw near to God in Spirit and Truth so that we can be lead by His Spirit and discern all that is before us. Thanks for sharing.
I agree. I especially loved your comment about catching the gleam before it goes over the horizon…before the hourglass is spent…and the scripture quote about every thought, word or deed…we are in a dimension of time and need to be ever vigilant. I start my day with bible study and meditation with the Lord. However throughout the day I find myself making decisions sometimes without taking them to the Lord. Later as I reflect I knowi still have a long way to go in my learning and walk with the Lord. I appreciated Rhonda’s thoughts and suggestions for growing closer to Christ through my daily walk with the Holy Spirit. I want to slow down and listen more…and walk more of each day with Him so that his light will shine through me with Him leading the way not me.
I cannot explain easily about the Book of Revelation , but whenever I see , or hear it, put as Revelations I cringe and know it is not right.
John writes, “The revelation of Jesus Christ that God gave to his servants concerning what must quickly come into being, signifying the sending of its message through his messenger and servant John.”
This is how it was put when looking it up, I believe this is right.
So only one Revelation.
You are doing such good work but just needed to point this out.
Hello Rhonda,
I just made a bit of time to read this article, and I agree. There is a cultivation process and a rooting out of crumby stuff in our lives, starting in the heart. I went through a very intense trial, and jounaled much throughout the process. On one occassion, while rowing, I felt God spoke to me and said, “If you behave yourself wisely, you’ll do honorable things.” What an awesome thought. I thought about it some more in light of 2 Timothy 2:19-22. And there is action on my part. Salvation is free, yes. But, living out the plan God has for our lives involves us and our efforts. ” If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Purging is action. Honor is available in God. I’m after the gleam before it goes over the horizon–before the hourglass is spent. From this experience and meditation on those scriptures, a quote came to mind that is good wisdom and instruction. “Every thought, every word, every deed, is currency to purchase honor.” We’re buying in the dimension of time. I’ve found that from this standpoint, we truly are soldiers of Christ. Always vigilant–365 in thought, word, and deed. I put the quote on a set of dog tags. The other dog tag says, “You are a vessel of honor–spend you time wisely.” I thought you might like this story. Have a great day!
Dan