Dependence and Assurance in the Spiritual Life

Dependence and Assurance in the Spiritual Life

by | Dec 17, 2015 | God, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Wisdom, Worldview

The true Christian is utterly and totally dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit that indwells us at the moment of Salvation.

Any attempt to manufacture righteousness apart from the Spirit is futile. In the Flesh, there “dwelleth no good thing” (Rom 7:18). As a grape is dependent on the branch which is dependent on the vine, the believer is dependent on the Holy Spirit.

My favorite passage of scripture is John 15:1-11. The theme is total dependency on God through Christ (the True Vine). “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5).

Dependence:
“For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” (2 Cor 1:9)

  • God has given us the power to overcome the Flesh (our sinful nature). How?
    By yielding to the (Holy) Spirit.
  • How do we yield to the Spirit?
    By abiding in Christ and pursuing God.
  • What does that look like?
    By studying God’s Word, (prayerfully) seeking His face and believing.

Of course, to the unsaved world this is foolishness because the world is blind and unable to discern that which is Spiritual. They do not have the knowledge of God nor the indwelling Spirit of God. Our job is not to worry about what the world thinks but to trust in Christ (who overcame the world).

Assurance:
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Cor 1:21-22)

The Holy Spirit testifies to this truth. We are no longer slaves to sin and death. We are set free by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. In Him, we are truly free to ‘walk in the newness of life (Rom 6:4) and eternally secure in Him.

Who are you dependent on today and do you have assurance of Salvation?

God wants the best for your life

God wants the best for your life

by | Apr 9, 2015 | Encouragement, God, Jesus Christ, News, Personal Growth, Relationships, Spiritual Life, Uncategorized, Wisdom

I hear folks say, “God wants the best for your life” without telling you what ‘the best’ actually means. Many people have come to believe that “God’s best for your life” means material prosperity, happiness and comfort. This is a lie because it is unbiblical. There are a lot of ‘preachers’ who teach prosperity and comfort or if ‘you name it, claim it’. They are teaching rubbish and falsehood.

So what is ‘God’s best for your life’?

God’s sole purpose for your life (and mine) is to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Salvation is stepping through the door to relationship and freedom. But, pursuing God with an all-consuming passion is completely different and requires abiding in Him. We must allow our will to be put under the bridle of the Holy Spirit, and we will be guided.  We ultimately become more and more like Jesus (conformed to his image).

Ready to be spiritually challenged?

“Bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” (Ps 118:27)

Our relationship with God is rooted not in emotions but at the seat of our will (heart). When we yield our will to that of Jesus Christ, He will bring us through fire. That fire is a part of purification. Purification cannot be manufactured in the Flesh, it is a work of God (Holy Spirit). It is a deeper voyage into sanctification, being crushed and molded into Christlikeness. There is nothing ‘wimpy’ or ‘weak’ about the true Christian life. We are constantly being ‘poured out’ (2 Timothy 4:6).

‘The fullness of Christ’ (Eph 4:13) is experienced when we have ‘bound’ our will to ‘the altar’ and yield to the Spirit. Only then can we begin to experience the abundant Spiritual Life full of grace and true freedom in Christ.  God’s best for your life and mine is the process of becoming more like Jesus.

Are you willing to be bound with cords to the altar and go through the fire?

‘Be filled, abide and walk….’