Urging All Christians To Keep The Fire Of God Burning Brightly In Their Lives

Leviticus 9:22-24 "Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces."

Introduction: The need to keep the fire burning

I was thinking upon the above passage of scripture regarding the beginnings of the priesthood in Old Testament Israel. Aaron, Moses' brother, was chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel. His family and clan and tribe were the chosen portion of Israel that were set aside by God to represent His interests to the people. The Book of Leviticus represents the Israelite's first month or two of life following their Exodus from Egypt. We see the beginnings of their journeys and the start of a ministry. As God was finalizing all of the instructions to Aaron and his sons through Moses, the one feature of their calling and office as priests had to do with keeping the fire burning upon the altar (see Leviticus 6:13).

I can recall in my younger days as a beginning preacher gathering with older pastors at a retreat. One of the men began to sing an old hymn that went something like the following:

"Oh Lord, in my heart, keep the fire burning, burning, burning". 

The rest of the words I cannot recall, but I do remember the depth of walk that older pastor had, and the impression it left on my life. In my beginnings, I knew that if I was going to make it in ministry and daily Christian living, I needed to tend the flame of God burning in my soul by way of the Spirit-filled life.

We need not so much the "forms of Godliness" as we need the fire of God burning in those forms

Undoubtedly the preparation for the moment of the beginnings of Aaron's priesthood is recorded for us in Leviticus 9. The priesthood of Israel was a special office commissioned by God. Aaron and his sons had experienced the prescribed rituals of anointing and donning of garments. However, one thing was needed - "the fire of God". Lest the Spirit of God would come and kindle the altar, the priesthood would remain a ritual - and not a relationship with the covenant keeping God of Israel. 

The scene must had been truly an emotional one as the Jewish Levitical priesthood was getting underway. The people were present. Moses was there. Aaron and his sons were arrayed in their white garments. Then the fire came. The corporate spiritual life of a nation could now officially begin. They had experienced the deliverance by God from Egypt and were at the place God had called them. But until the fire of His presence kindled that altar, the ministry, the life of following God - could not commence nor continue. 

Matthew Henry, the great commentator of old wrote these words: "This fire did, as it were, take possession of the altar. The fire was thus kindled in God’s house, which was to continue as long as the house stood, as we read before, Lev. 6:13. This also was a figure of good things to come."

Henry later writes:

"The Spirit descended upon the apostles in fire (Acts 2:3), so ratifying their commission, as this spoken of here did the priests’. And the descent of this holy fire into our souls to kindle in them pious and devout affections towards God, and such a holy zeal as burns up the flesh and the lusts of it, is a certain token of God’s gracious acceptance of our persons and performances. That redounds to God’s glory which is the work of his own grace in us." 

Henry continues: "Hereby we know that we dwell in God, and God in us, because he hath thus given us of his Spirit, 1 John 4:13. Now henceforward, (1.) All their sacrifices and incense must be offered with this fire. Note, Nothing goes to God but what comes from him. We must have grace, that holy fire, from the God of grace, else we cannot serve him acceptably,Heb. 12:28. (2.) The priests must keep it burning with a constant supply of fuel, and the fuel must be wood, the cleanest of fuel. Thus those to whom God has given grace must take heed of quenching the Spirit."

Would the fire of God's Spirit burn brightly on the altar of our changed lives in Christ Jesus

Israel of the Old Testament was characterized by the heavenly fire of Yahweh. Such fire represented the Person of the Spirit of God attending with His people. God was the One that met Moses in the fiery bush and revealed His name as Yahweh (Exodus 3:14). Moses' calling could not commence without that confirmation of God's glorious presence. The beginnings of Aaron's ministry, the ministry of the tabernacle and the much later ministry of the temple built by Solomon had with them the coming of the heavenly fire. 

In the New Testament we see yet again the Holy Spirit descending upon His church. The church worldwide and on the local level is composed of all born-again people who are classified as a spiritual priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10). Jesus had told his disciples to wait and tarry in Jerusalem until the Power from on High came down (see Acts 1:8). 

The one crucial difference between the Spirit's ministry in the Old Testament and today is that whilst He dwelt with and among the people in O.T Israel; He now permanently dwells in and through the church. Lest the Spirit comes, indwells at salvation and continues to lead and guide in sanctification - no spiritual life and service to God will commence or continue. The Spirit did come. 

When He comes into our hearts at salvation, simultaneously faith issues forth. True, genuine trust is issued froth by the sinner and they freely embrace Jesus Christ - resulting in their conversion. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 notes: "Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour." Scripture describes this miracle as regeneration or the new birth (John 3:1-5; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3,23). 

Closing thoughts:

When a man preaches a sermon or a anyone serves God in any capacity, they can only do so by the Spirit's continuing work of gifting and empowerment in their post-conversion Christian walk (Ephesians 4:11-12). Today, I simply close with the thought that as Christians, we need to tend to the fire of God kindled in our human spirit by the Holy Spirit. Let's keep the fire burning and thus serve God with joy and gladness!

How The Spirit-Filled Life Leads Christians To Be Focused On The Heavenly Father

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

Introduction:

The great 18th century preacher George Whitfield made a comment once about the ignorance so-many Christian people had in his day about the benefits of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. What we writes seems so true in so much of the American church today:

"Nothing has rendered the cross of Christ of less effect; nothing has been a greater stumbling-block and rock of offense to weak minds, that a supposition, now current among us, that most of what is contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ, was designed for the Lord's first and immediate followers, and consequently calculated but for one or two hundred years."

Whitfield later adds:

"Many now read the life, sufferings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, in the same manner as Caesar's commentaries, or the Conquests of Alexander are read: as things rather intended to afford matter for speculation, than to be acted over again in and by us."

When it comes to the Spirit-filled life, we find the Spirit's main purpose in bringing about a more vibrant awareness and experience of God in the believer's soul. 

Jesus was in His ministry and life both Spirit-led and Father-focused

Whenever one studies the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, two immediate traits emerge. First and foremost, the Lord Jesus Christ, touching His humanity, was led by and filled with the Holy Spirit. The title "Christ" literally means "anointed one". In nearly 45 places we find references to Jesus mentioning, ministering and being empowered by the Holy Spirit. He not only lived by the Holy Spirit as a mark of His Messiahship, but more so to portray for us a true humanity empowered by the Holy Spirit - a heritage He has available to every Christian.

The second trait about the ministry and life of the Lord Jesus is how "Father-centered" He was in His thinking, emotions and decision making. We discover Jesus referring to the Heavenly Father nearly 70 times in the four Gospels. He called on Him in prayer, spent time with Him and never reckoned the timing of His decisions apart from the Father's will.

The Christian is called to be Spirit-filled and Father-focused

Is it possible for the Christian in their humanity to approximate this intense "Father-focused" lifestyle of Jesus Christ? Absolutely! Note the command urged upon every Christian in Ephesians 5:1, wherein we read: "be imitators of God". Wow! How can this be? Jesus states similarly in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:48 - "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." It is very clear that I in my humanity am called to carry-out this command. Yet, I by myself cannot do it alone. 

The Holy Spirit, Who is by very nature God, comes to indwell at salvation (1 Corinthians 3:16). This means then that by the Holy Spirit in me, I can imitate God in terms of His moral attributes (love, righteousness, holiness, goodness and all the rest). Theologians sometimes make a distinction between God's "incommunicable attributes" and "communicable attributes". The former are qualities not shared between God and other beings (such as omniscience, omnipresence). However, there are traits which God does share with people in a comparative sense (love, mercy, justice, etc.) 

In a Christian, these communicable attributes become empowered by the Holy Spirit, resulting in the Christian acting, thinking and expressing in their emotions an approximation of God's very presence. Much like sunlight shining through stained-glass windows, the Spirit's power expresses itself through those communicable attributes of the believer's human soul. The result? Read Ephesians 5:2 - "and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." 

Final Thoughts

As we become more focused on the Father, we come to imitate Jesus. Why? Because of the Holy Spirit's work in the Christian life.  The filling of the Holy Spirit is required if the Christian ever expects to be focused on the Heavenly Father.

Have You Thought About Your Interior Life?

Ephesians 4:21-23 "if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

Introduction:

How often do you think of your "interior-life". What do I mean by the term: "interior-life"? The interior life is simply one's mental and spiritual status of their soul. As a human being, you are composite by nature. You are a physical, biological being - having senses, blood, bone, muscle and organs. In addition, you are also immaterial - possessing a personality endowed with freedom of the will (what the Bible refers to as "the soul") and the capacity to know God (i.e "made in God's image" or one's human "spirit"). 

We all are very aware of what we could call "the outer-life" - i.e the life we lead through our interactions with the world and other people. We try to look right, act right and maintain the correct social skills needed to operate in society. People know how to act a certain way and talk a particular way when in specific settings (church, school, work). The exterior-life is the focal point of our culture. The Bible uses this language of "inner-life" and "outer-life" to describe human beings. 

The Bible's usage of the terms "inner-man" and "outward-man"

Concerning the outer-life first, we read for example in 2 Corinthians 4:16 "Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." The outer life or "outer-man" is in a state of progressing decay. Even for the Christian, one's physical frame is awaiting that glorious final step in overall salvation - namely the resurrection of the body (see 1 John 3:1-3). We tend to find that our "external life" or "outer-life" dominates our thinking while being unbelievers. When we are converted at saving faith, the Spirit's cooperative work of developing our inward-life can seem awkward and frustrating. We do all we can to preserve our ties to this world and the outward life, but take little thought to our inward life.

So what about the "inward-life" - i.e the soul and spirit? This second area is so often neglected. The interior life covers how we as a living soul are being influenced by either what goes on the deepest part of us (the "spirit") or in our outer-life. 

Again, the soul is the seat of human personality. You are not some so-called "ghost in a machine". Rather, your are a soul that receives information from your exterior life and at the same time you interact with whatever is going on the innermost part of you (i.e your spirit). Your brain, a physical organ, is not identical with your immaterial personality (endowed with faculties or functions of willing, feeling and thinking). Both you as a soul and your physical exterior life interact on a continual basis. The soul of a person is that person. 

The inward life is spoken of quite often in the Old and New Testaments, with two quick examples serving as major samples:

Proverbs 20:27 "The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the innermost parts of his being."

Here we see reference to the "spirit of a man" functioning as a lamp or candle. This is where the Holy Spirit comes to live in New Testament salvation (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-13). Now note another reference to the "inner-man" in the New Testament:

Ephesians 3:14-17 "For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love."

Paul prayed for the interior life of his readers. 

The goal of the Spirit's work in the Christian life is that our soul would be more dominated by our interior life than the exterior life

The interior life of a Christian that is sold-out to Jesus is characterized by their soul (i.e personality, consisting of mind, emotions and will) being more dominated by the Holy Spirit in the human spirit than their exterior life. The Spirit of God is He-in-me. When my interior life is daily in fellowship with the Holy Spirit in my human spirit, my mind, emotions and will respond and interact accordingly. God has given us His book - the Bible, prayer and the local church as resources to which we can exercise our souls (i.e ourselves in our mind, emotions and will) to conform to that interior life governed by the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; Jude 1:20-23).

Undoubtedly, there will be the continual tug-of-war that the soul of the Christian finds themselves between the interior life and exterior life. The personality of the Christian is in process. There remains that principle of of the former way of doing things before conversion that clings to the soul. As we ever remain in this world: interacting with other people who are themselves influenced by the course of this world; as well as experience the daily warfare of the kingdom of darkness, we find the left-overs of sin functioning like iron-filings. Whenever the world, the flesh or the Devil draws near, that left-over principle of sin-within-us is attracted and wants to respond (see Paul's full discussion of this in Romans 7:14-25). 

For the Christian who is growing in Christ-likeness, the need to cultivate one's interior life is a must. The goal of the Spirit's work of sanctification is for our soul to be more influenced by what He is doing on the inside than by those influences that wage war on the outside. 

The Language Of "Putting-Off" And "Putting-On" For The Practical Christian Life

Ephesians 4:21-24 "if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth."

Introduction:

When I started running three years ago, I had to come to grips with getting rid of some old ways of thinking. For one thing, I learned that one cannot run for a long period of time in jeans, a long sleeved shirt and worn-out tennis shoes. Such articles of clothing do not lend well to improving in one's ability to run. I also had to learn how to change my diet, get my mind disciplined to accept certain pain levels (sore knees are common among runners). In short - I had to "put-off" the mindset and trappings of being a "non-runner" and transition into "putting-on" the clothing, mindset and lifestyle of a runner. 

The significance of "putting-off" the old life and "putting-on" the new life

When we read of the Christian life in the New Testament letters, we meet this language of "putting-off" and "putting-on". Christian conversion is a radical, life-altering change. Not only are we changed on the inside (2 Corinthians 5:17), but how we think and our conduct ought to follow such change. Notice some passages (like the opening text above) that speak of "putting-off" the former life and "putting-on" the new life in Christ.

1. Ephesians 4:25  "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another."

2. Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

3. Colossians 3:8-10 "But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him."

4. Hebrews 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

5. James 1:21-22 "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves."

6. 1 Peter 2:1-2 "Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, 2 like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation."

This language of "putting-off" and "putting-on" speaks of one's initial positional standing in justification at the beginning of salvation. At the moment of saving faith, God credits me with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In justification, I exchange the tattered robes of self-righteousness and moth-eaten trousers of unrighteousness for the seamless robe of Christ's righteousness, earned for me in His perfect life and substitutionary death (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). 

Following one's salvation commitment, a process of experiential growth in practical righteousness begins to take place in what the Bible calls "sanctification" (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3). 

It is in the day-to-day Christian life that one is constantly exercising "putting-off" the leftovers of the principle of indwelling sin, the world and the influence of Satan's parasite kingdom. Old habits, old ways of thinking - in short - self, must die. 

Now, in putting off the old habits, thought patterns and ways of life, the Christian must "put-on" better and lasting replacements. This can only be done by regular meditation upon and investment of one's time in the Old and New Testament scriptures (see Colossians 3:16). Additional spiritual disciplines that encourage the "putting-off" and "putting-on" pattern are prayer (Luke 18:1-8) and church attendance (Hebrews 3:12-13; Hebrews 10:24-25). Putting on the Christian life on a daily basis is practically and pictorially represented by "putting on the whole armor of God" as spelled out by Paul in Ephesians 6:11-18. 

Just as in learning how to run properly, the process of changing one's mindset and body becomes a lifestyle and a delight. The struggles and temptations to go back to the way one used to eat, not run and dress are still there. However, the influence that such things used to wield in comparison to the growing impulse to do the necessary disciplines to keep on running diminish to a minimum over time. As long as one attends to a regular regiment in running, the impulse to run will only grow. The Christian life operates in a similar fashion. I think this is why Paul uses athletic imagery to compare the the Christian-life, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

Closing thoughts:

There is no rear-view mirror in the Christian life. We must look ahead and not look back, pining after "the way it used to be". Only by the indwelling Holy Spirit, who teaches the Christian and empowers them to "put-off" and "put-on" can such a process be regularly practiced. This pattern for the Christian life is not easy. At times, one can get frustrated at their apparent slow-progress or even occasional set-backs (I know I have experienced such things). Nevertheless, "putting-off" the old life and "putting-on" the new life is well-worth it. Thankfully, the Christian is not left to their own devices to figure it out. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit, His Word and the fellowship of the local church to urge us on to persistence.

P2 - Having An Experiential Walk With God

Ephesians 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit"

Introduction: The post-conversion experiential walk with God is what we call sanctification

Truly, the grace of sanctification emanates from the converted heart like a stem from a root. The stem of sanctification ought to then spring forth a blooming flower that emits the sweet aroma of a life saturated with Jesus Christ. Sanctification informs the post-conversion Christian life with respect to the priority of experiencing and knowing God on a daily-basis. It's character is ongoing. Sanctification entails a process whereby the Holy Spirit and the Christian are in a cooperative work of making that Christian more-and-more like Jesus. 

The heart of one's experiential walk with God - the Spirit-filled life
The emphasis on having an "experiential walk with God" is vital. How is it that one maintains such a walk? Ephesians 5:14-18 lays out the repeated, central reality to all-post-conversion Christianity that takes serious any experience with God:

"For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” 15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."

This emphasis of "experiencing life with God" flies as a banner over the Christian life. It is one thing to get started. It is one thing to shoot forth with that initial excitement of being redeemed and born-again in conversion. It is one thing to follow through in believer's baptism following one's salvation - as vital as such things are. Yet, with that said, the harder reality is the maintenance of "staying in the saddle" so-to-speak. 

How is it that we come to see walking with God in daily experience go from duty to delight? How can the Christian ever expect to go places with God in their prayer life, Bible reading, church attendance and lifestyle? 

Ephesians 5:18 gives the answer: "be filled with the Spirit". To be Spirit-filled has nothing to do with speaking in tongues or undergoing a second work of grace or anything of that sort. Rather, the "Spirit-filled" life has everything to do with a repeated, what would hopefully be daily surrender to and leading by the Holy Spirit in the believer. Spirit-filled living refers to both a gradual moral improvement in the Christian life and what ought to be a deepening work of supernatural power coursing through the Christian's giftings and service. Others ought to be able to sense when they are around someone who is regularly living by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16 plainly states: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." To be "filled" with the Spirit simply means I am being "influenced" by Him. 

As I give myself to God in scripture reading, prayer, church attendance, evangelism and other means of strengthening grace - my faith will not just crawl, but soar. Paul explains the result of the repeated, post-conversion reality of the Spirit-filled life in Ephesians 5:19-21 - 

"speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

The Spirit-filled life is the yielded-life. The Spirit-filled life not only yields to God in submission but simultaneously acts forth with God in obedience. The heart of an ongoing experiential walk with God is the Spirit-filled life. 

Closing thoughts
This is what the Christian life is all about: knowing God and making Him known. May you and I dear reader, grow in our experience with God by being those who regularly are filled by, influenced by the Holy Spirit as we give ourselves to His word, His people, prayer and the sharing of our faith with others. 

P1 - Having An Experiential Walk With God

Ephesians 5:1-2 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

How the experiential walk with God begins - conversion
What is the purpose of the Christian life? Knowing God. When a man, woman or child is born-again by trusting in Jesus Christ by grace alone through faith alone - initiation into an experiential walk with God begins. Paul lays out for us in Ephesians 5:1-10 what it means to have this "experiential walk with God". He uses such statements as "imitating God" in 5:1; carrying forth a "sweet aroma" of Christ in 5:2 and "trying to do what is pleasing to the Lord" in 5:10.

This initiation into the Christian life is what we call "conversion". Included in conversion is that first work of regeneration and its attendant Spirit-wrought workings of conviction, faith and repentance. The sinner responds, believes and is saved. All such works are simultaneous and instant. At conversion the Heavenly Father declares the sinner "just" or right-with-God in a judicial declaration called "justification". In justification, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is credited to that sinner - henceforth making him a "saint". The Father then, simultaneously, declares the saint of God to be an adopted child by what the scriptures call "adoption unto sonship" or more simply "adoption" (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:4-6).  So the sinner becomes a saint and the old way of life is forsaken in favor of Christ. The convert is given a new heart - a heart that beats with the desire to obey its Lord. 

The ongoing experiential walk with God ought to continue on in post-conversion Christian living - i.e sanctification
The first major step of obedience following conversion is and ought to be believer's baptism (Romans 6:4-11; Colossians 2:11-12). The new convert is given the opportunity to profess their faith publicly before the local church body. Whatever had privately transacted between that convert and God in saving faith goes public. The miracle of salvation is re-enacted in the rite and symbolism of believer's baptism. Already the convert is declaring that they so desire to continue in their experiential walk with God not only as a private affair, but more so as to their public life before others. 

In Ephesians 5:10-13 we see the battle one faces against the world, the flesh and the Devil when attempting to grow in one's post-conversion, experiential walk with God: 

"trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light."

One's experiential walk with God begins in conversion. What follows from thereon is the progressive onward and upward growth in Jesus Christ. This ongoing, post-conversion life is what the Bible refers to as "sanctification" or being "set-apart" (Romans 6:12-13; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:9-12). Just as one "sets-apart" or "sanctifies dishes" to be ready for the next meal, sanctification is an ongoing process whereby the Christian is being made more and more like Jesus in thought, attitude, word and deed. Truly, the grace of sanctification emanates from the converted heart like a stem from a root. The stem of sanctification ought to then spring forth a blooming flower that emits the sweet aroma of a life saturated with Jesus Christ. Sanctification informs the post-conversion Christian life with respect to the priority of experiencing and knowing God on a daily-basis. Tomorrow we will continue by considering the heart of one's experiential post-conversion walk with God. 

Keep the fire of the Lord burning

Leviticus 9:22-24 "Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after making the sin offering and the burnt offering and the peace offerings. 23 Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out and blessed the people, the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. 24 Then fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces."

Introduction

I was thinking upon this particular passage of scripture a few days ago. Aaron, Moses' brother, was chosen by God to be the first high priest of Israel. His family and clan and tribe were the chosen portion of Israel that were set aside by God to represent His interests to the people. The Book of Leviticus represents the Israelite's first month or two of life following their Exodus from Egypt. We see the beginnings of their journeys and the start of a ministry. As God was finalizing all of the instructions to Aaron and his sons through Moses, the one feature of their calling and office as priests had to do with keeping the fire burning upon the altar (see Leviticus 6:13).

Undoubtedly the preparation for the moment recorded for us in Leviticus 9 was momentous. The priesthood of Israel was a special office commissioned by God. Aaron and his sons had experienced the prescribed rituals of anointing and donning of garments. However, one thing was needed - the fire of God. Lest the Spirit of God would come and kindle the altar, the priesthood would remain a ritual - and not a relationship with the covenant keeping God of Israel. 

The scene must had been truly an emotional one as the Jewish Levitical priesthood was getting underway. The people were present. Moses was there. Aaron and his sons were arrayed in their white garments. Then the fire came. The corporate spiritual life of a nation could now officially begin. They had experienced the deliverance by God from Egypt and were at the place God had called them. But until the fire of His presence kindled that altar, the ministry, the life of following God - could not commence nor continue. 

Matthew Henry, the great commentator of old wrote these words: "This fire did, as it were, take possession of the altar. The fire was thus kindled in God’s house, which was to continue as long as the house stood, as we read before, Lev. 6:13. This also was a figure of good things to come. The Spirit descended upon the apostles in fire (Acts 2:3), so ratifying their commission, as this spoken of here did the priests’. And the descent of this holy fire into our souls to kindle in them pious and devout affections towards God, and such a holy zeal as burns up the flesh and the lusts of it, is a certain token of God’s gracious acceptance of our persons and performances. That redounds to God’s glory which is the work of his own grace in us." 

Henry continues: "Hereby we know that we dwell in God, and God in us, because he hath thus given us of his Spirit, 1 John 4:13. Now henceforward, (1.) All their sacrifices and incense must be offered with this fire. Note, Nothing goes to God but what comes from him. We must have grace, that holy fire, from the God of grace, else we cannot serve him acceptably,Heb. 12:28. (2.) The priests must keep it burning with a constant supply of fuel, and the fuel must be wood, the cleanest of fuel. Thus those to whom God has given grace must take heed of quenching the Spirit."

Israel of the Old Testament was characterized by the heavenly fire of Yahweh. Such fire represented the Person of the Spirit of God attending with His people. God was the One that met Moses in the fiery bush and revealed His name as Yahweh (Exodus 3:14). Moses' calling could not commence without that confirmation of God's glorious presence. The beginnings of Aaron's ministry, the ministry of the tabernacle and the much later ministry of the temple built by Solomon had with them the coming of the heavenly fire. 

In the New Testament we see yet again the Holy Spirit descending upon His church. The church worldwide and on the local level is composed of all born-again people who are classified as a spiritual priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10). Jesus had told his disciples to wait and tarry in Jerusalem until the Power from on High came down (see Acts 1:8). The one crucial difference between the Spirit's ministry in the Old Testament and today is that whilst He dwelt with and among the people in O.T Israel; He now permanently dwells in and through the church. Lest the Spirit comes, indwells at salvation and continues to lead and guide in sanctification - no spiritual life and service to God will commence or continue. The Spirit did come. 

When He comes into our hearts at salvation, simultaneously faith issues forth. True, genuine trust is issued froth by the sinner and they freely embrace Jesus Christ - resulting in their conversion. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 notes: "Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace. Repentance is a genuine turning from sin toward God. Faith is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and Saviour." Scripture describes this miracle as regeneration or the new birth (John 3:1-5; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3,23). 

When a man preaches a sermon or a anyone serves God in any capacity, they can only do so by the Spirit's continuing work of gifting and empowerment in their post-conversion Christian walk (Ephesians 4:11-12). Today, I simply close with the thought that as Christians, we need to tend to the fire of God kindled in our human spirit by the Holy Spirit. Let's keep the fire burning and thus serve God with joy and gladness!

Spiritual Warfare A,B,C - Confidence to win in spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."

Introduction and review

The last couple of days have served to unpack the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare. In this short series we have noted that when approaching spiritual warfare, we need to be Spirit filled and word filled, per what we looked at in Ephesians 6:11. Carnal weapons of the flesh have no place in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  God's supplied Word and He in the Person of the Holy Spirit are the only ways we can approach our daily warfare as Christians. 

Then we noted yesterday the "B" of the A,B,C's - "Believer's three common enemies". In considering 1 John 2:14-17 and Ephesians 6:12, we saw that the Devil (via his demonic network), the world and the flesh are the three main enemies we deal with in spiritual conflict. Today's post aims to show the confidence we have in spiritual warfare.

The Confidence in Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:13 states - "Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm." A brief unfolding of this verse, one phrase at a time, will show why it is we as Christians can have confidence in spiritual warfare.

1. Divine provision of spiritual armor

Paul writes first of all: "Therefore take up the full armor of God...". In the days that Paul wrote this letter, he was chained to a Roman soldier who was likely a member of the elite Roman unite called the "Italian band". When a Roman soldier went into battle, they had behind them the entire Roman Senate and authority of the Emperor. Furthermore, they possessed what was then the finest armor of any army in the world. 

The word translated "full armor" could just as easily be translated "full array". The Roman soldier had everything he needed, and then some, to defeat his enemy. Christians have at their disposal the entirety of God's provision of the spiritual armor. Moreover, the Holy Spirit Himself indwells the Christian. 

No demon, no desire of the flesh and no influence in the world is greater than the Spirit of God (1 John 4:4). We also have the authority of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ Himself, behind and in us (Colossians 1:27). We have the Father's favor watching over us (James 1:17). The Christian as the provision of God when it comes to fighting the good fight of faith. So there is the Divine provision, but notice secondly....

2. Divine power to fight

Ephesians 6:13 says next - ..."so that you will be able to resist in the evil day...". To know that we as Christians have God's very power available to resist temptations, overcome fear and resist the Devil ought to increase our confidence. 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us - "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it." 

Oftentimes I will hear Christians worry about whether or not they would be able to take a stand for Jesus if the situation demanded it. My answer to them is a resounding "yes"! These texts, and many others (Hebrews 12:3; James 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:5-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11) speak to how we have the Divine power to win spiritual battles and Divine provision, but notice lastly...

3. Divine guarantee of victory

Ephesians 6:13 says once more - ..."and having done everything, to stand firm." The verb translated "having done everything" is the same exact verb found in Philippians 2:12 - "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling." 

Will the fight of faith be immune from troubles and pain? No. We must literally "work it out" in the exercise of our faith in prayer (Jude 1:20); the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) and church attendance (Hebrews 10:24-25). We must "work it out" by ways of loving our enemies (Matthew 22:39); watching our speech (James 1:26-27) and enduring hardship (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet, we know that God is the One working forth in us His perfect and pleasing will and a glory that cannot compare (2 Corinthians 4:18; Philippians 2:13). The victory has already been won by Jesus. We are  running our victory lap for the King of Kings (Hebrews 12:1-3). 

Thus Divine provision, power and guarantee comprises the confidence Christians have in spiritual warfare.

Closing thoughts

We have explored the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare these last few posts. We have discovered the following:

1. Our approach must be as Spirit-filled and word-filled people. 

2. Believers have three enemies: the world, the flesh and the Devil. 

3. Then the confidence we have in spiritual warfare is the Divine provision of the spiritual armor, Divine power to fight and Divine guarantee to win. 

Spiritual Warfare A,B,C - Believer's 3 Common Enemies

Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

John 2:16-17 "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world."

Introduction:

We saw in yesterday's post the two-pronged method for approaching spiritual warfare: Spirit-filled and word-filled living. Both the Spirit's leading and the authority of God's word go hand-in-hand in the Christian's daily warfare. Consider the following observation from Dr. Charles Stanley in his book: "The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life", page 210: "Peace or no peace. Guilty conscience or no guilty conscience. The Word of God stands. It is the final authority for the Spirit-filled believer. The Spirit-filled life is a life lived in accordance with the teachings of Scripture - whether one feels like it or not and whether it bears witness to one's spirit or not." Dr. Stanley later on notes in page 213 of the same book: "That is why the Spirit-filled life begins with surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Surrendered Christians approach the text with humble hearts, not hidden agendas. Spirit-filled believers come to the scriptures with teachable spirits. They don't view Bible study as simply a fact-finding mission. They see it as an opportunity to peer into the mind and heart of God."

With thse thoughts in mind, today's post is all about identifying the three common enemies faced by every Christian. In the opening passage above we see them underlined: the Devil, the world and the flesh. The contexts of both scriptures indicate the following:

1. Common Enemy in spiritual warfare is The Devil.

2. Cravings that contribute to our spiritual warfare is the flesh.

3. Context in which our warfare occurs is the world. 

Enemy #1: The Devil
Ephesians 6:11 warns the reader of the "schemes" or "methodologies" of the Devil. Who is the Devil? A brief sketch of his personage and career reveals the following:

1. He was originally a powerful angel named Lucifer (Ezekiel 28; Isaiah 14), perhaps an archangel, who got his eyes off of God and instead focused on his own beauty. Shortly after the creation week scripture records Lucifer, now Satan or the Devil, leading 1/3 of the angelic hosts astray, who in their fall became the myriads of demons occupying the various orders of the kingdom of darkness. (Revelation 12) 

2. The Devil or Satan is a creature who is a liar (John 8:44), a deceiver and prince of the power of the air who blinds the hearts of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:1-4). As a creature, the Devil communicates his malevolent intentions through the vast network of demonic hosts we see mentioned in Ephesians 6:12.

3. We know the Devil tempted Jesus on three occasions in Matthew 4, and the Devil's aim is to do all he can to discourage and divide the church. (Matthew 16:18)

4. According to 1 Peter 5:8, The Devil is a roaring lion prowling about seeking whom he may devour. 

This sketch lays out for us why it is the Devil is the believer's common enemy in spiritual warfare. Now notice the second enemy...

Enemy #2 - The World

1 John 2:16 warns us about not loving "the world". The Greek word behind this word (kosmos) is the word from whence we get our terms "cosmetics" and "cosmology" and "cosmopolitan".  A "kosmos" or "world" refers to a certain orderly arrangement or system, hence for example, cosmetics are products designed to help someone arrange the colors and appearance of their face. I someone were to take up the study of "cosmology", they would be concerned about studying the arrangement of things in our universe. When reference is made to a "cosmopolitan person", that person is typically a traveler, a "person of the world" who dresses in the finest clothes and keeps up with the trends of things worldwide. 

Whenever the Apostle John refers to the term "world", he is talking about the organized system of thought that is under the authority of Satan. The Devil is the common enemy of the believer. Other than Adam, Job, King David and Jesus, no other person has ever had to deal with Satan directly, but moreso indirectly. Satan wields his influence through his vast network of demonic hosts (Ephesians 6:12) and through the network system known as the world.

The physical body gathers its understanding of reality through the five senses, and this is how the influence of the world makes its way through if unchecked by the vigilant Christ follower. This is why John warns his readers to "not love the world". Elsewhere in the New Testament we read about the influence of the world and the need to be cautious of it. Romans 12:2 states -  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." James 1:27 gives this insight: "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." Jesus gave this simultaneous warning and encouragement in John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” Now notice the third enemy...

Enemy #3 - The flesh
Notice what the Apostle John writes in 1 John 2:16 "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." What is meant by the term "flesh"? The term "flesh" can have one of two meanings in the New Testament. 

The first meaning of "flesh" refers to the physical body of a person, whereas the second meaning describes the expression of our soul's drives in cooperation with the remnants of sin in the soul. Galatians 5:19-21 gives the fullest definition of the flesh in the New Testament: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The flesh is an "expression", a "reaction" to certain conditions whereby the inborn drives of a person are set aflame and decisions are made to feed the hunger. The indwelling Holy Spirit aims to teach the child of God to "put on Jesus Christ, make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:14) 

Therefore when we are dealing with spiritual warfare, the flesh and the inward desires that go unchecked are among the most damaging of the three enemies. Unlike the Devil and the World, which attacks from the outside, the flesh works inward to outward. 

Closing thoughts for today
We considered in yesterday's post the approach one needs to spiritual warfare: namely the filling of the Holy Spirit and being filled with the word. Today's post served to unfold the believer's three common enemies: the world, the flesh and the Devil. Tomorrow we will consider the confidence the Christ has in spiritual warfare as we conclude this study on the A,B,C's of spiritual warfare.

Spiritual Warfare A,B,C - Approaching Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might."

Introduction:

The subject of spiritual warfare is of perennial interest among Christians. Understanding Christian spiritual warfare is vital in breaking Christian people out of a civilian mindset and into the clear reality of needing to be soldiers of the cross. Spiritual warfare also eases somewhat the disillusionment the we feel between living for God in this world and the opposition from the world.  We realize it is not abnormal to experience opposition for being a Christian. I would like to attempt a brief summary of this vast subject of spiritual warfare from the standpoint of Ephesians 6:10-13 for the purpose of spelling out what I call the "A,B,C's of spiritual warfare". Today's post will deal with the first of these, namely the approach to spiritual warfare.

The approach to spiritual warfare - Spirit and the Word

Ephesians 6:10 gives us two and only two ways in which one can approach spiritual warfare in the Christian life. The first is what we looked at in detail yesterday, namely the Spirit-filled life. The second approach is closely related to being filled with the Holy Spirit, namely being filled with the scriptures or maintaining one's exposure to the Word of God.

Ephesians 6:10a states - "Finally, be strong in the Lord...". The underlined words indicate an imperative command that is coined in the passive sense of dependency upon someone. To "be strong in the Lord" refers to depending upon the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. With the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot understand and discern, which are marks of the strength needed when fighting the good fight of faith. (Ephesians 1:17) Ephesians 3:16 proves that the source of such strength comes from the Spirit: "that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." 

This strengthening of the Spirit comes to the degree we are filled with or influenced by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Moreover, the Spirit's strength is enjoyed and experienced as we position ourselves in a posture of prayer (Ephesians 6:18). 

But now we notice the second phrase of Ephesians 6:10 - namely: "and in the strength of His might." This second phrase identifies the second  closely related approach to spiritual warfare, the Word of God. 

So how do we know that "the strength of his might" is most likely referencing the scriptures? First, the word of God itself is the offensive weapon of the otherwise defensive armaments in the spiritual armor of Ephesians 6:14-18. Second, Hebrews 4:12 ties together this concept of God's might and spiritual warfare - "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Then thirdly, 2 Corinthians 6:7 alludes to carrying forth spiritual weaponry in the right hand and the left, which in context includes the word of God.  

This then is the two-fold approach to spiritual warfare: namely being filled with the Holy Spirit and being in His Word. 

More tomorrow....

Relating the Spirit-filled life to spiritual warfare

Ephesians 6:10-12 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Introduction
In today's post we now turn our attention exclusively to Ephesians 6, with the goal this week to discover what putting on the full armor of God actually means. Such a command can sound so abstract until we consider the wider context of Ephesians 6:10-18. Today's focus will be on exploring the necessary condition for putting on the whole armor of God: being filled with the Holy Spirit. We will consider this thought under two main headings:

1. Putting on the whole armor of God means being Spirit-filled

2. The Spirit-filled life is pre-requisite to putting on the full-armor of God

Putting on the Whole Armor of God means being Spirit filled. 
Notice what Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." Whenever you see that underlined word: "finally", the indication is that Paul is bring to a close a series of points. Notice....

1. Ephesians 4:1 "Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called."

The whole idea of "walking with God" is a huge point in this second part of Ephesians. Like connecting the dots throughout the remainder of Ephesians 4,5 and 6, we can trace the remaining chain of commands:

2. Ephesians 4:17 "So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind."

3. Ephesians 5:1-2  "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."

4. Ephesians 5:15,18 15 "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise." 18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."

To walk with God requires the believer to be "filled" or "under the influence" of the Holy Spirit. The filling of the Holy is commanded not only here in Ephesians, but elsewhere in the scriptures and stated in differing ways. For example, Galatians 5:16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." To have the scriptures memorized or to have spent time in them to the point of having them in me is practically equivalent to submitting oneself under the Spirit's influence. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 "Do not quench the Spirit." Thus when Paul commands believers to "put on the full armor of God", he is is effect commanding them to be "Spirit-filled people" on a regular basis.   

The Spirit-filled life is pre-requisite to putting on the full-armor of God
As is always the case in the Spirit-filled life: the issue is not about you getting more of the Spirit but rather Him getting more of you. Thus putting on the full armor of God means being filled with the Holy Spirit. As we have already witnessed in Paul's flow of argument through Ephesians 4,5,6; life requires the Spirit-filled life. Undoubtedly, whether in our churches, marriages, parenting or workplaces, relating and responding to people in a Christ-like manner can only occur when we have given ourselves daily to the Spirit's filling ministry. 

When I think of the "Spirit-filled" life, such a condition can be likened unto the "chain-mail" a soldier would had worn in the Roman army of the 1st century. According to the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, such "chain-mail" (called by the Roman Soldiers lorica) would had protected the heart and vital organs behind the rib cage. 

wikipedia picture

Putting on the Whole Armor of God must begin from the inside to the outside - from the heart and mind to to attitudes then actions. 

The filling of the Holy Spirit means we are guarding the organ of thought and passion for God - the heart. The heart (which again, is the seat of the emotions and in all reality, the causal center of human life itself) must be guarded at all costs. The heart in scripture is described as the well-spring of life (Proverbs 4:23); the source of either the overflow of evils in a man (Matt 15:19) or goodness (Matt 12:34-35). The passions in the heart follow after whatever the mind deems to be the best course of action, whether good or evil (see James 1:13-15). 

Certainly the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a must, being that this is after all "the whole armor of God". One must be a Christian to wear the spiritual armor. However, to ensure effectiveness in spiritual warfare and defending Kingdom ground in our marriages (Ephesians 5:22-33); child-rearing (Ephesians 6:1-4) and workplaces (Ephesians 6:5-9), we as Christians must daily be Spirit-filled. This is why Paul's command to put on the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18 comes at the tail end of a string of commands that are about making sure we are walking with God as Spirit-filled believers.