You wouldn't even know you had the Holy Spirit unless the Bible told you.

You wouldn't even know you had the Holy Spirit unless the Bible told you.

Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh, Gal.3:3? So how did the Galatians get the Spirit of God? By the hearing of faith which comes through the written word. Ephesians 1:13 says, "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, unto the day of redemption." You were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise until the day of redemption. Did you feel that happen when you got saved? Did you feel the Spirit of God come into you and circumcise you, and put off the body and the sins of the flesh, and take your soul and join it to the Lord Jesus Christ? You didn't feel any of these things. The Word says that we walk by faith. You wouldn't even know you had the Holy Spirit unless the Bible told you. The Holy Spirit did not come upon you like with Peter, James, and John, when they started talking in tongues, displaying mighty signs and miracles, and laying hands on the sick. Their dispensation was one of signs and sight. The truth is that we are in a different dispensation: one of faith; not of feelings! Thus, anyone who is seeking for the Spirit through signs, through feelings, through their physical senses, are not walking in the faith of our doctrine. They are living in ignorance of the written word of God according to the doctrine given to the Body of Christ through Paul’s epistles.

What does the scriptures say? The scriptural truth is that once you hear the gospel and put your trust in Jesus Christ, you are regenerated by the Spirit of God, and that Spirit of God baptizes you into Christ, sealing you there to the day of redemption. Then from that moment on you are to ‘drink in that spirit’ that comes from spending time in the word of God, 1Cor.12:13, not seeking it by the laying on of hands or trying to find that fresh anointing of the spirit at the church alter.  The written word of God is God’s spirit and life, Jn.6:63. When you partake in the word, you are ‘filled by God’s spirit’, Eph.5:18, renewed in your mind, increasing in the mind of Christ, 1Cor.2:16, in tune with the will and the judgements of God. We receive the Spirit of God by spending time in His Word and we walk by that Spirit when we give ourselves over in obedience to that word that is Spirit and life within us.

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

There is a spirit that's been given to us in the word of God, and when we let it fill our hearts, it begins to work effectually in us to free us from the law of sin and death, so that we can serve God. In Rom.8:2-4, Paul tells us, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The sin in our lives has already been judged, and we don’t have to carry that judgment anymore. Yes, sin exists, but we are not obligated to follow it: we are not a debtor to the flesh. God has not asked us to fix our flesh; he's asked us to reckon it dead. Quit trying to fix it. The moment we try to fix it is the moment we've given it back its power. It's dead, it's condemned; we don't have to fix anything in it.

God did this so that we could fulfill His law, which we couldn’t do in the flesh because of our sin, and now through his Spirit, the righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. The moment we try to fix our sinful nature ourselves, we lose the battle. God has freely given us the gift of life through His Son, who has risen from the dead. We need to learn how to come into union with Christ, because without this union to Christ through the written Word, we can be a redeemed soul that delights in God and wants to do God's will, yet never find the power to do what God wants. It’s important to understand how to live in unity with the Son of God through the Spirit [of the written Word], so that He can work his life in us to bring forth fruit unto God.

Let's remember to keep learning our Spiritual Curriculum

Let's remember to keep learning our Spiritual Curriculum

The book of Romans lays the groundwork for our faith. First Corinthians addresses issues of immaturity and divisions within the church. Second Corinthians focuses on comfort and understanding as one learns these truths. In Galatians, Paul warns us not to foolishly try to achieve perfection through our own efforts and laws, which he also discusses in Romans chapters 7 and 8. He introduces the idea of the "new creature" in Galatians.

Ephesians reveals this new creature, which we refer to as the "new man." Paul encourages us to live in a way that reflects our calling and prepares us for spiritual battles. This isn't just about us; it's about the new man, Jesus Christ, who is in conflict with sin and the world. That's why we are told to put on the armor of God.

Philippians teaches us to work together for the faith of the Gospel, united in mind and spirit, while deepening our understanding of the Son of God. Colossians encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith and to grow in our walk with God, embodying the new man. These seven letters guide us in living out the work of faith, and the labour of love.

The letters to the Thessalonians present an example of a strong church. First Thessalonians encourages us to be patient in hope and to grow continually. Second Thessalonians reminds us not to be easily shaken or troubled, and it emphasizes the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the teaching of the Apostle Paul, outlining a path for us to follow. By studying these letters and obeying their teachings from the heart, we can grow from spiritual infants into mature sons of God, living by the Spirit and pleasing our Father as we bring glory to Christ.

See more here: https://thebigpicturelink.blogspot.com/2023/10/as-grace-believers-what-is-our-primary_14.html

What does that mean to walk after the Spirit?

What does that mean to walk after the Spirit?

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

What does that mean to walk after the Spirit?

Let me use ‘leading the blind’ as an example. If I'm a blind man, how do I live my life? I need someone else who has eyes to take me by the hand and lead me through this world. Now, in this context, who’s the blind man? That's us: we're blind. We need the Spirit to be out in front of us leading us through life saying, do this and don't do that. And where do those instructions come from? It’s all in the Word of God, and more specifically, in Paul’s epistles. We just need to learn it and know it, and then yield your members unto that leading. 

To be led by the Spirit is not complicated. Paul said the following in Corinthians,

1Cor.12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

What is the cause of weak and wavering faith in Christians?

What is the cause of weak and wavering faith in Christians?

Israel encountered challenges when they deviated from the laws of Moses, similar to how current issues stem from straying from Paul's teachings. Paul was entrusted with the "dispensation of the Grace of God" for today's believers. The primary cause of a weak and wavering faith is not a departure from the entire Word of God, but rather a shift away from the specific doctrines taught by Paul.

Do believers truly backslide and "lose fellowship with God?" Is it necessary to "strive to maintain our relationship with God?"

Many Christians believe they must perform certain actions to have a relationship with God. Conversely, they fear that God will distance Himself or judge them if they fail to maintain their relationship with Him. These mindsets are common among many Christians who are not informed about the truth in God's word.

• What happens if a Christian does not confess their sins daily?
  
• What happens if a Christian does not tithe?
  
• What happens if a Christian does not get water baptized?
  
• What happens if a Christian continues to love the worlds attractions?
  
• Is God displeased with a Christian if they become sick or come into misfortune?

Explain the difference between BY faith and THROUGH faith

Explain the difference between BY faith and THROUGH faith

Rom 3:30  Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision BY faith, and uncircumcision THROUGH faith. 

In the scripture above, Paul writes an interesting thing. He distinguishes between the circumcised and the uncircumcised by referring to their justification as by faith or through faith. So, what is the difference? Can this be explained and clarified? Many commentaries simply conclude that there is no difference between the two, but why then would Paul, through inspiration, write different words for each group. I do not agree with these commentaries as I believe that they are different, as much so as the doctrine between Israel and the Body of Christ are different. I am no formal scholar of doctrine and hermeneutics, so I do not claim absolute accuracy in my interpretation, but I have come to believe that Romans 4 has some insightful content to clarify this difference. 

Rom.4:11-17 And he [Abraham] received the sign of circumcision, a seal (Eph.1:13) of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of ALL those who believe, though they are uncircumcised [Gentiles], that righteousness might be imputed to them also [as the Body of Christ], 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision [Jews], but who also walk in the steps of the faith [Little Flock] which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.