Andrew Murray in his book "Path to Holiness" makes this application: "I have only as much faith as I have of the Spirit. This then, is what I most need to live entirely under the influence of the Spirit"
What is it he needs? He needs more faith. In Scripture we see that a God can add to our faith. Jesus added and completed John the Baptist's faith when he was in jail. Jesus sent "word" back to John to cancel his doubts. (Doubt really is unbelief...unbelief is lack of faith) The apostles asked for their faith to be increased. And each time it was increased, it was by the words of Christ. Christ is the Living Word. (We talked about that last month. You can go back to Archives or Past Posts section to the left column and re-read it if you need refreshment)
To live a "spirit filled life" is to live saturated in the Word. That is where our unbelief becomes belief. That is the case for everyone who desires to live a holy life. But it is not as if God has to keep adding everyday more of His Spirit so we may be Holy.
2 Peter 1:3-4 states
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires"
Did you get that in the first sentence? ALL that we need to live a life that is godly and holy has been given to us in Christ. Our response to this great exchange is to live fully appropriating what has been deposited.
I heard a story not to long ago of a man who died alone in his home. No one knew much about him. He died in the poorest of conditions. His home was in shambles. His clothes appeared to not have been washed or changed in months. When police began to try and find his identity they were astonished. Seems to be this man was the son of one of the wealthiest families in California. As police began to research financial records they found he was worth millions! Yet with all that at his disposal, this man chose live a life of a pauper. That is how most of us live...we live as paupers not utilizing the riches of our adoption into God's family. We live meagerly, from struggle to disappointment as we move through this life. But that is not how it should be...we have a great resource to draw everyday from.
That is the life I desire in 2008.
I would like to know what you would like to focus on next. Please let me know the subject you are interested in ...
Parenting:
1-Disciple for small children.
2-Discipline for teens
3-Devotions time with kids
4-Teaching and modeling purity to our girls
5-Protecting our boys from worldly lust
Women:
1-Proverbs 31 Woman
2-Godly friendships
3-Home missions
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