Defeating the triple threat of doubt, fear and worry

Romans 15:4 tells us: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” 

Introduction:
What is the difference between doubt, worry and fear in the Christian life?  Doubt has to do with resistance to past insights from God and His Word spoken to me in the past.  Fear has to do with my hesitation in responding to God and His Word in the present.  If doubt has to do with what God said in the past, and fear has to do with how I’m relating to Him in the present, then worry deals with my perceptions of what He will do in the future. Dr. Adrian Rogers has noted that worry is a mild form of atheism. When one really thinks about it - doubt, fear and worry are species of unbelief. 

These three emotional and spiritual states are weaponry used by the enemy to plague the people of God.  The Christian's spiritual warfare includes battling these species of unbelief that want to run uncorralled in the human heart. When left untamed, doubt, fear and worry will contribute to blurring our vision of God and His character.  

Like all of those reading this blog, I can tell you first-hand the countless wrestlings I've had against these three dreaded foes.  Thankfully, God has given us the indwelling Holy Spirit, the Sovereignty Lordship of Jesus Christ and the scriptures to combat these and other devices used by the enemy of our souls.  Thus we will considering some key passages from one of the great chapters in the Bible - Psalm 37.

So where are you finding yourself doubting, worrying or fearing?  I would encourage you to read the scriptures out loud.  What Paul writes in Romans 10:17 concerning the beginnings of saving faith also applies to how one is kept in saving faith: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  

I would encourage you to turn to Psalm 37 note some incredible verses that gives the believer the arsenal needed to defeat doubt, worry and fear.  

1. Warnings to heed

Psalm 37:8 states: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”  Notice that underlined word “fret”?  At least three times we find it mentioned in this Psalm.  In the Hebrew language this word “fret” is translated for the term “chara”.  "Chara" refers to literally getting oneself all hot and bothered or stirring up oneself into a heated frenzy.  Does that describe how you are feeling and dealing with life?  Do you feel pressure building in your gut, like you are going to explode?  That’s the Psalmist's warning to us.  So what is the solution? Consider the next thought.

2. Walk in the rest of God

Psalm 37:1-8 acts as a series of bullets that you can use when that disturbing, troubling notion grips your heart.  Note how God gives a series of commands.  Commands are particularly important, since for every command in scripture there is always a provision of grace to carry them out.  God’s commands are not given because I’m simply able to do them.  Many people get discouraged when trying to carry out God’s commands.  They will say: “They are just too hard”.  Dear friend, the commands of God are not hard, they are impossible – that is, if you are not taking advantage of God’s provision of grace. 

Note how we are given instruction on resting is God in the following verses: “Fret not” in 37:1; “Trust” in verse 3; “Delight in the Lord” in verse 4; “Commit your way” in verse 5.  With these commands we see the provision of grace in verse 6: “And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”  

So if you are in the midst of darkness, note that God’s word gives you provision to enjoy an open heaven, a noonday sun despite the midnight of your circumstance.  Psalm 37:7 tells us to “rest in the Lord” and in verse 8 to “cease from anger”.  We are not promised immunity from trouble, however we are given the “rest of God” whereby we can rise above doubt, worry and fear. 

3. Winning the battle (by knowing that God is fighting for you)

Psalm 37:40 states: “And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”  What is remarkable about this Psalm is that it begins with the command not to fret, and it ends with the confidence of victorious faith.  This is not a “pie in the sky, sweet by and by” theology, this is real life doctrine.  Knowing that God will never leave me, not forsake me, is more than enough to overcome doubt, worry and fear.

A personal testimony on being filled with the Holy Spirit

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

I rarely share anything of a personal nature in this blog. My tendency is to avoid poitning too much attention to myself. The goal of every post in this blog is to point the way to Jesus by providing Christian resources for the practical, doctrinal and supernatural aspects of the Christian walk. With that said, I felt that perhaps some readers would benefit from a personal testimony, since we have been exploring the Spirit-filled life for the past week. It must be stated from the onset that my experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit will differ in the details from another Christian. Nonetheless, every truth and principle expounded upon in these last several posts undergird every Christian's experience of the Spirit-filled life. 

To begin, I was converted to Jesus Christ in saving faith when I was but 10 years old. Two years later my family and me moved on to another church. At age 12 or 13 I was baptized by immersion in obedience to what Jesus tells every new Christian to do in Matthew 28:18-20 and as per the pattern in Acts 2:38-41, Romans 6:4-11 and other passages. 

I understood in the simplest of terms what it meant to become born-again and I was able to discern the purpose of baptism. Our family went to several churches in my teen years, with seasons and stretches of me not going to church. In short, I understood the Christian life to be nothing more than me believing on Jesus and getting baptized. Regarding what I was to do beyond the baptistry, I had no idea. I knew at that point I should probably read my Bible, but I didn't know where to begin. Furthermore, my prayer life mainly was at meals. My scant knowledge of what to do as a Christian would be challenged through my teenage years.

By the time I was 17, I had been studying computer repair at the vocational technical school in our area. I had reached my Senior year of highschool and had no real idea of what my purpose was in life. My parents desired for me to go further in the computer field, however at the time I had a keen interest in auto-mechanics. Here I was, a Christian who had been saved for 6 years, and yet I evidenced little growth. I had tried to fit in with my friends, but found myself becoming more miserable.

I became involved in a Bible club after about a month into my Senior year. For the first time I witnessed young people my age reading their Bibles and praying. My parents had started us going to a new church and the time in my life seemed ripe for change. 

As I got involved in the Bible club in school, God began to show me how lax I had become. Near the end of that particular month, I was in my room at home and began to pray to God. At that poin I had no idea what to pray, since it had been so long since I had prayed! Nevertheless I asked God to forgive me for neglecting Him and I then asked for Him to open my heart to whatever He had for me. Suddenly I had the strong desire to pick-up my Bible and begin reading! I began at Genesis 1:1 and read for the next four hours! I promise you that the day before, I had hardly any thought I truly wanting to read the Bible, but the Lord turned on the switch inside of me. 

I was getting into Deuteronomy and I honestly thought: "The Bible is bigger than I thought!" So I decided to flip to the New Testament and kept thumbing through various books of the Bible until I arrived at 2 Timothy. My logic was that it was sort-of-near-the-end. 

As I neared the end of 2 Timothy I came to 2 Timothy 4:2 which states - "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." As I read that verse, it was as if time stood still. I stared at the verse and suddenly I found myself weeping. The power and presence of God filled me and those words "preach the word" lept off the page and I literally felt like God was calling me to do that very thing. God poured into me in that moment the equivalent amount of desire for Him that I should have had the six years prior. I knew I could not go back to the compromising teenager that I had been. There were no tongues nor flickering of the lights in my room. All I knew was that the Holy Spirit of God brought to me the power of His presence and implanted in my heart a greater desire for Jesus Christ. 

I cannot tell you when I finally fell asleep that night, but all I can tell you is the next morning I woke up as a new 17 year-old young man. I can look back and truly identify that moment as the first time I experienced the filling of the Holy Spirit. Over the course of the next several months God began to shape my desires. I wish I could say I had stopped sinning. I didn't. However how I viewed my sin changed. I hated everytime I chose to sin. I found that God had given me the desire to share my faith and with my dad's help and my grandmother's aid, I began to better understand the Bible. Although I stumbled in ackwardness at times, the Lord was gracious and patient with me. Several months later God gave me opportunties to begin preaching and by the Autumn of the following year I was enrolled in Bible College. 

Since that time nearly 25 years ago, I have had many more opportunities to experience the Spirit's filling ministry. Each time has been a little different and at times not as dramatic as that initial experience. In other cases, the Spirit of God has filled me in the tough seasons of life. If anything, the times of greatest difficulty have been the seasons wherein I have went from experiences of the Spirit's filling to understanding it as an ongoing lifestyle. I wish I could say that I have never stumbled nor given God a hard time since those early days. Trust me, God has had to break my will and even to this day is continuing to refine my character to be more like Jesus. With that said, I cannot imagine living daily for Jesus nor serving Him without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. 

Closing thoughts

One of my favorite authors and preachers, A.W. Tozer, has aided me greatly throughout the years. I one time heard him speak on how one can practically and regularly experience the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit. I leave today's post with his simple outline, which I think represents the Biblical teaching on the Spirit-filled life and approximates what I have experienced in my own life:

1. Present. Come to God as a child. Simply present yourself to God. Romans 12:1-2

2. Ask. Request God to fill you with the Spirit. Luke 11:13

3. Obey. The Spirit-filled life occurs in the context of obedience. Acts 5:32

4. Have faith. Believe that God will fill you with the Spirit and that the Spirit will lead you in accordance to the continual exercise of you faith. Galatians 3:2. 

The practical consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 5:19-6:20

Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children"

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

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints"

Introduction:

Lately I have been focusing on the Spirit-filled life. Why? Simply because in so many cases (at least in Baptist circles or Evangelical church circles), Christians rarely think about the kind of experience they are to have with God beyond the baptismal tank. Let me explain. It is probably a fair assessment that too often, the excitement of those first few days or weeks following one's conversion is marked rightly by believer's baptism. The ordinance of believer's baptism is afterall the first major step of Christian obedience. 

However, what is there after water baptism? I know for me growing up as a teenager, after having been converted and water baptized, there was no further instruction. My concept of the Christian life consisted of trying to get by and biding my time until either Jesus returned or when I died. Such a vision of Christianity does not consider the wonderful life of sanctification, and more specifically, the Spirit-led, controlled and filled life. It was not until 17 years of age, nearly six years after my conversion and nearly 5 years after water baptism that I experienced what we have been laboring for in these past several posts - namely the Spirit-filled life. 

Such an experience is entered upon by first of all positioning oneself to imitate God and walk in love, as explained in Ephesians 5:1-2. Next, obedience to God, or at least the desire to do so, is the second step. Thirdly, hatred for sin, or at least the desire to put away from oneself unconfessed sin, is also vital. Such convictions are covered in Ephesians 5:1-14 and comprise the call to the Spirit-filled life. 

As we already saw in yesterday's post, the Spirit-filled life is not optional, but commanded (Ephesians 5:15-18). So then, what about the practical consequences that flow from a Christian who not just once, but repeatedly lives in commitment to being led by and filled by the Holy Spirit? What can be expected in terms of fruit? What difference does it make whether or one is filled with the Holy Spirit?

Such questions will be answered in this final installment of our study of Ephesians 5:1-6:20 as we consider the consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

The consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:19-6:20
The Spirit-filled life is as much practical as it is supernatural and doctrinal. Empowerment that derives from increased influence by the Holy Spirit is not just for the self-edification of the Christian. The Spirit-filled life is a ministry granted by the Holy Spirit to be a blessing to others. We saw already the one key theme to Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled living - namely holiness (Ephesians 5:1-14). We can now add another practical theme - that of submission. Submitting oneself to the Lord Jesus Christ, the authority of the scriptures and the Spirit's leading are pre-requisite to the filling work of the Spirit. How then can one continue to walk in the Spirit - as so commanded in Galatians 5:16 and 5:25? One word - submission. The practical consequences our outcomes of the Spirit-filled life are as follows in Ephesians 5:19-6:20.

1. Spirit-filled worship. Ephesians 5:19-21
Here we see commands given to the entire church body to "speak to one another" and "submit to one another". The songs of praise and worship result in the overflow of the individual Spirit-filled Christians coming together in either a corporate worship setting or smalller groups. Like live coals in a BBQ, as one Spirit-filled Christian fellowships with another Spirit-filled Christian, the worship quickly escalates to that level of worship that can only be described as "other-worldly". A sweetness fills the air and the focus becomes absolutely Christ-centered. Churches benefit from church members who regularly make the Spirit-filled life their priority. 

2. Spirit-filled marriages. Ephesians 5:22-33
In the flesh, the idea of "submission" is viewed negatively. Moreover, the possibility of loving one's wife as Christ loved the church - i.e putting her needs ahead of my own, willing to die if need be, being the spiritual leader - is too-tall of an order in the flesh. Only the Spirit-filled wife and husband can achieve what is expected here in Ephesians 5:22-33. Harmony and unity result when both spouses are regularly led by the Holy Spirit. Just as we saw in the example of the Spirit-filled church, the Spirit-filled marriage will focus on Jesus Christ. 

3. Spirit-filled parenting. Ephesians 6:1-4
I find it interesting that the entire argument for the Spirit-filled life is not only for adult believers, but young Christians too. Parenting in the way God has prescribed can often be an exhausting chore. However when I yield myself to the Spirit's leading by way of daily time in the scripture, praying for my child and denying self - parenting in the name of Jesus becomes a delight. Conversely, whenever a little Christian child is taught to submit themselves to the Lord by practicing daily time in the Word, asking the Lord to lead them and most-importantly of all, mom and dad having Spirit-filled lives, the growing pains of child-hood can be greatly dampened.

I think at this point it is vital to remember that Spirit-filled living must not be conceived of as having immunity from pain, sorrow, difficulty, dissapointments and spiritual warfare. If anything, those negatives only increase due to the fact that Spirit-filled living cuts across the grain of natural human tendency. This is why the Spirit-filled life is a repeated experience post-conversion. Just as your car needs repeated fill-ups, so does the Christian walk. Perhaps this observation is no more realized than in the context of parenting.

4. Spirit-filled employment. Ephesians 6:5-10
Working on the job tests the patience of employees and employers alike. How can either make Godly decisions or treat each other in such a way that honors Christ? In the context of the work-a-day world, where there is often more unbelievers and believers, the Spirit-filled life is an utmost necessity. If an employee finds themselves as the only Christian among dozens (I've been there) or working for a boss who regularly pressures them to attempt things that are contrary to biblical convictions (I've been there as well), then the only way in which successful navigation can occur is the Spirit-filled life. To walk away from temptations, or opportunities to be lazy when the boss is not looking requires a Christian to be daily yielded to the Spirit of God. 

5. Spirit-filled spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:11-20.
We have seen the practical consequences of the Spirit-filled life, and the need for such a lifestyle, in the areas of worship (Ephesians 5:19-21); marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33); parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4) and the workplace (Ephesians 6:5-10). But now what about spiritual warfare? It becomes quickly appparent that the conflict we have in daily life is ultimately not just with people, but with spiritual forces influencing such people (see 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-12). Unless Christians are regularly availing themselves of the Holy Spirit's control in their lives, they will find themselves living in regular defeat. The Christian life balances on a razor thin edge between two realities: on the one hand we will sin (not by necessity but by choice) and on the other hand we can overcome any sin. Struggle accompanies the Christian life. I think too many times Christian focus only on this particular point. Struggle exists for the sake of victory, since one cannot overcome something that they first have not had to battle. To conceive of victorious Christian living without struggle and warfare is to live out of one's imagination. On the other hand, to conceive of a Christian life where one is constantly being defeated and with no-way-out is to have an incomplete theology. 

Paul's final section of Ephesians 6:11-20 takes these two sub-themes of struggle and victory and reveals that in the Spirit-filled life, there is going to be a great warfare. However, the sweet fruits of victory can be enjoyed in this life. Though we may never reach the point of sinless perfection in this life, yet the last time the Christian sinned, they didn't have to. Hatred for sin can only come about in direct proportion to my increasing love for Christ and imitation of the Father (sound familiar? see Ephesians 5:1-2).

Closing thoughts
Today we considered the practical consequences of the Spirit-filled life in the following areas: worship (Ephesians 5:19-21); marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33); parenting (Ephesians 6:1-4); the workplace (Ephesians 6:5-10) and spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:11-20). My prayer is that these series of posts, as well as the previous series, as opened up new vistas of realization for the reader. I close with Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:18-20 - "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in thesaints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."

The command to be Spirit-filled - Ephesians 5:15-18

Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children"

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

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints"

Introduction:

The reader can note that the above three verses constitute what are key points in Paul's overall argument for the necessity of the Spirit-filled or Spirit-controlled life. In yesterday's post we considered the calling of the Spirit-filled life in terms of the practical holiness. In all reality, practical holiness (positively having to do with one's imitation of God and walking in love with Christ and negatively having to do with rejecting sin and worldliness) is requisite to being led and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Amos 3:3 reminds us - "Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?" All Christians are Spirit dwelt, however not all Christians are Spirit-filled. The Spirit's desire to fill (that is, control, influence, lead) is a calling and as we will see today, a command for all Christians. All Christians have access to the Spirit-filled life. However, not all Christians avail themselves of it nor do all Christians consistently walk in the Spirit, which is why it is a repeated experience following one's conversion experience. 

Like yesterday's post, the aim of today's post is to grasp what Paul is communicating through this key section in God's Word on the Spirit-filled life. We will first offer a brief outline of the passage and then offer a few comments on the second point. First, the outline...

Spirit-filled living - Ephesians 5:1-6:18. Notice....

1. The call to be Spirit-filled in our sanctification (i.e practical holiness). Ephesians 5:1-14

2. The command(s) to be Spirit-filled Ephesians 5:15-18 

3. The consequences of the Spirit-filled life. Ephesians 5:19-6:18.

To be filled with the Spirit means to be under the control, influence and leading of Him. Is this type of life only available to a select few Christians? Is the Spirit-filled life optional? What does such a life look-like in the practical areas of everyday life such as marriage, parenting, employment and one's prayer time? Today's post will consider the second of these three headings.

The command(s) to be Spirit-filled Ephesians 5:15-18 

Ephesians 5:15-18 comprise a set of three parallel commands that in all reality express one central idea: "Be filled with the Holy Spirit". It is in this particular section of Ephesians 5:1-6:20 that we see the non-optional character of the Spirit-filled life. But what exactly does such a life look like? How can we know that we are a Spirit-filled, Spirit-controlled people. The commands themselves yield the clues in answering such questions.

1. Spirit-filled Christians are careful in their conduct. 

Ephesians 5:15 "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise." Just as someone carrying a hot cup of coffee is careful in how they walk (so as to not spill a drop!), the Spirit-filled Christian is more careful in how they carry their Christian testimony. Carelessness and neglect are as notorious for getting Christians out of step with fellowship with God as willful sin. Both patterns are species of carnality or walking according to one's fleshly desires. Whenever the Spirit is influencing our minds, emotions and wills, we will be a more careful, sober-minded people. 

2. Spirit-filled Christians maximize the use of their time.

Ephesians 5:16 "making the most of your time, because the days are evil." Christians who are more Spirit-led than carnally led will be more mindful of eternal things (Colossians 3:1-2). Maximizing one's time for Jesus' sake means not being idle and lazy. Conversely, the Spirit-filled Christian knows how to find rest, which is just as needful as industry in the affairs of God. 

3. Spirit-filled people are able to understand God's revealed will (in His word).

Ephesians 5:17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. God's will can be subdivided into three headings: unrevealed and revealed (Deuteronomy 29:29) and permissive will (James 4:15). Only God's revealed will (the scriptures) that is given to us marks the domain of our responsibility. Do we know God's word or unrevealed will. The Holy Spirit leading the Christian enables them to unlock the truths of God for themselves (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). To understand God's will in the scripture is equated with hearing God and thus following after God.

4. Spirit-filled people are under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.
Just as someone who has injested alcohol is "under the influence", so is the Christian who is filled with the Spirit. The great thing about being filled with the Spirit is that I get the same calming effect without the hangover. The HCSB rendering of this verse brings out even further clarity - "And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit". 

As we can see, these commands all approach the Spirit-filled life from different angles. To be a Spirit-filled Christian affects me morally, intellectually and gives true power for living! Therefore having observed the calling to the Spirit-filled life in holiness of sanctification in Ephesians 5:1-14 and the command(s) to be Spirit-filled in Ephesians 5:15-18, we will look tomorrow at the consequences of being Spirit-filled. In otherwords, why should one be a Spirit-filled Christian?

More tomorrow....

The call to be Spirit-filled in sanctification (i.e practical holiness) - Ephesians 5:1-14

Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children"

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

Ephesians 6:18 "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with allperseverance and petition for all the saints"

Introduction:

Yesterday we concluded a two part post series on what occurs at the beginning of salvation and what ought to follow one's conversion to Christ in saving faith. We closed out yesterday's post by looking at Ephesians 5:1-6:20. I felt it necessary to take that block of scripture and unpack what the Holy Ghost is saying to us through it. The heart of Ephesians 5-6 centers around the heart of post-conversion sanctification - the Spirit-filled life. Such a life is available and expected of every Christian. Sadly, there are more Christians who regularly operate by the desires of self and the flesh than by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The aim of today's post is to grasp what Paul is communicating through this key section in God's Word on the Spirit-filled life. We will first offer a brief outline of the passage and then offer a few comments on each point. First, the outline...

Spirit-filled living - Ephesians 5:1-6:18. Notice....

1. The call to be Spirit-filled in our sanctification (i.e practical holiness). Ephesians 5:1-14

2. The command(s) to be Spirit-filled Ephesians 5:15-18 

3. The consequences of the Spirit-filled life. Ephesians 5:19-6:18.

These truths mark out what ought to occur after salvation as begun in regeneration/conversion. Considered all together, we can truly see how great our salvation is in both it's beginning and progression through this life! To be filled with the Spirit means to be under the control, influence and leading of Him. Is this type of life only available to a select few Christians? Is the Spirit-filled life optional? What does such a life look-like in the practical areas of everyday life such as marriage, parenting, employment and one's prayer time? Let us now consider each heading in brief.

1. The call to be Spirit-filled in our sanctification (i.e practical holiness). Ephesians 5:1-14
We saw yesterday that sanctification is the progressive work of the Holy Spirit, following from and beginning from the moment of conversion. In sanctification, the Christian is cooperating with God by becoming in experience who they are declared by God to be in position. Central to the Christian's progress in sanctification or post-conversion Christian growth is the repeated experience of the Spirit-filled life. What do we learn about this experience? How is it entered into by the Christian? We learn here in Ephesians 5:1-14 that the Spirit-filled life is a call from God to a deeper walk with Him. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 headlines the theme of the call to the Spirit-filled life - holiness: "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 afragrant aroma." The commentator R.C.H Lenski notes about these verses: "The sins against which he warns are seen in their true light when they are viewed as Paul views them, against the whole background of our holy life in God and in Christ." 

As we are called to holiness in the Spirit-filled life, such holiness expresses itself positively in relationship to God and negatively in its rejection of sin. Lenski notes concerning our imitation of God as dearly beloved children: "To be sure, our Father loves us; but 'beloved' makes evident our normal relation. Some ordinary children are unnatural; they act in such a manner that one would scarcely believe that they belong to their parents. Not so 'children beloved.' This word 'beloved' strikes the note of this paragraph: our love is to imitate God's love." Like a small child who desires to bring pleasure to the parent that they love and are loved by, a Christian ought to be so inclined to imitate God in their attitudes and actions. Little children become greatly saddened when even the thought of doing something contrary to their parents wishes crosses their minds. Such a reverence or healthy "fear" of bringing displeasure to the parent corresponds to what the scripture calls "the fear of God" (see Proverbs 8:13).

Holiness then is first and foremost a positive effort in being like the Lord Jesus Christ. By themselves, Christians cannot ever hope to attain to such a high-calling. The Spirit-filled life is what supplies the Christian the power to heed the call given here in Ephesians 5:1-2. 

As we already noted, the holiness of conduct and life headlining the call of the Spirit-filled life expresses itself positively in desiring to imitate God and walk in love in Jesus Christ. Such a positive, Spirit-filled desire should naturally correspond to the negative expression of avoiding and combatting sin. If we as Christians think of practical holiness as having to do with imitating God and Christ in the power of the Spirit - the hatred for sin will be a supernatural by-product of such love.

Negative commands in the scripture can sometimes be better understood when we re-state them postively in our application of them. In brief, notice the key commands to hate sin in Ephesians 5:3-14:

Ephesians 5:3 "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints." When we restate this text positively for our application, it can look like the following, namely that Godly morality and generosity out to be named among you, as this is proper among the saints. Or consider Ephesians 5:6-7 "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them." When restated positively for our application, such a command to holy living in the call to the Spirit-filled life could look-like this: Be influenced only by full words of truth from God's word and share in the partaking of such words with others. 

One more example should suffice to show how holiness is the headline theme in the call to the Spirit-filled life. Consequently, this final example will also validate our method of taking a negatively stated command (a "do not" command) and restating it positively for application and understanding. Consider Ephesians 5:11-12 "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." The Holy Spirit Himself inspired Paul to take this thought and re-express it positively in Ephesians 5:14 "For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

When we try to heed this call of holiness in the Spirit-filled life in our own strength or flesh, we fail. Such a call exceeds natural ability. Only the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit, influencing and controlling the Christian from the inside/out can attain to and achieve such a call. 

More tomorrow.............

What ought to occur after the Christian life has begun?

Hebrews 2:3 "how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard."

Introduction:
Yesterday we began a short two-part series on Christian salvation. We stated by answering the first major question, namely: when does Christian salvation begin and what happens in that beginning? We explored how God in the Person of the Holy Spirit begins with regeneration, with the simultaneous outworking of faith and repentance in the sinner's heart and their response in saving faith. We also saw in this all-at-once miracle of conversion - the Father's judicial decree of justification by faith and relational work of adoption. Moreover, we saw how the Holy Spirit installs the saint into Christ by Spirit-baptism, positionally transferring them from Old Adam into new Adam (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Romans 5:11-21; 1 Corinthians 15:43-46). The Christian now has all of the Holy Spirit they're ever going to get. However, the issue that remains from regeneration onwards is: "how much of me does God the Holy Spirit have?" That is where we ended yesterday.

Today's post is going to pick-up from yesterday and answer the second main question today: What ought to occur after the Christian life has begun? 

What ought to occur after the Christian life has begun?
Broadly speaking, anything following the beginning point of regeneration/conversion (both terms are often used interchangably) is deemed sanctification. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 defines sanctification as: "Sanctification is the experience, beginning in regeneration, by which the believer is set apart to God's purposes, and is enabled to progress toward moral and spiritual maturity through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Growth in grace should continue throughout the regenerate person's life."

Regeneration is entered upon and received by grace alone through faith alone. Following such a beginning is the post-conversion life of sanctification. The key phrase in the above definition is that "sanctification is the beginning of the experience". The first major step of Christian obedience in sanctification must be believer's baptism. This tangible act replays before others what occured in our hearts in prior regeneration/conversion and the type of life we aim to live in sanctification - namely surrendered to Jesus in Lordship. 

Beyond the fact that sanctification is a doctrinal word, it is more importantly a Bible word. Notice Romans 6:19 "I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification." Other places to note this word are: Romans 6:22; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4,7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 12:14). 

Regeneration is done by God. Sanctification entails both the believer and God - working together. On the one hand, our sanctification (post-conversion Christian life) is based upon the Person and work of Jesus Christ - who is our sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30). Yet, we also learn that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Thankfully, God is the One who ultimately works out His will in us (Philippians 2:13), with the notion that God and the believer work together in a progressive manner (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 3:7-14). 

So again we ask: What ought to occur after the Christian life has begun? Broadly speaking, the answer is sanctification, growth in Christ. But now let us zero-in on what ought to be the core-teaching, reality, truth of the post-conversion Christian life. What is it? We could name several: The Lord's discipling work, anointing for service, exercising one's faith in the scriptures, time with God's people at church, celebration of the Lord's supper and of course prayer. All of these aforementioned truths ought to be a regular part of the growing Christian life. However there is one repeated experience that makes or breaks forward movement in sanctification. What is this central experience of which we speak? 

The answer to that question is answered by the filling ministry of the Spirit. The filling of the Spirit weds the Christian the increased experience and power of the risen Christ. This is not to say that I wasn't already connected to Jesus. The Spirit's initial uniting of me to Him guarantees that positional reality (see Ephesians 2:6-8). However, the Christian should throughout their Christian walk desire to have an increasing experience to match what they are learning about their position in Christ. 

The Spirit's ministry of filling the Christian stands as the central hub of post-conversion Christianity. The Spirit-filled life is the Spirit-led, Spirit-controlled life. So much more could be said on this point, however I want to bring this post to a close by considering in outline form the key text on the Spirit-filled life - Ephesians 5:1-6:18. Notice....

1. The call to be Spirit-filled in our sanctification. Ephesians 5:1-14

2. The command(s) to be Spirit-filled Ephesians 5:15-18 

3. The consequences of the Spirit-filled life. Ephesians 5:19-6:18.

These truths mark out what ought to occur after salvation as begun in regeneration/conversion. Considered all together, we can truly see how great our salvation is in both it's beginning and progression through this life! 

When does the Christian life begin and what takes place at it's beginning?

Hebrews 2:3 "how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard."

Introduction:
When does the Christian life begin and what takes place in that beginning? What ought to occur after it has begun? These two questions merit a two-part series, since Hebrews 2:3 states - "how will we escape if we neglect so great asalvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard." Hence today's post will deal by answering the first question, with tomorrow's post dedicated to answering the second question. 

When does the Christian life begin and what takes place in that beginning? 
First, all Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them from the moment of regeneration in saving faith (Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:4-5). The miracle of regeneration begins the Christian life, and is made possible by the Holy Spirit. He is the One who works in the human heart, with the simultaneous outworking being the sinner's willful response of faith and repentance in conversion. Were the Holy Spirit not active in salvation - no one would be saved (John 16:8-12). If no one responded in saving faith and repentance, no one could receive such salvation and have it applied.

Secondly, once the sinner has believed upon Jesus and repented of their sins, the Holy Spirit unites the new Christian to Jesus Christ through what the Bible calls "Spirit-baptism" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). The Baptist Faith & Message 2000 affirms what we have written thus far: "Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man, and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord."

At this point, we are talking about logical, rather than chronological order of the events in the beginning of salvation. In regards to time and experience, the scripture bears out that regeneration, faith, repentance, Spirit-baptism, justification and adoption are experienced all at once. 

In the logic of scripture's teaching on salvation, following regeneration, saving faith, repentance and Spirit-baptism - God the Father then pronounces the guilty sinner an innocent saint through His judicial decree of justification. (Galatians 3:16). Justification is where the Father credits to me by faith alone the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

Furthermore, the father relationally declares the saint of God a son or daughter of His by adoption (Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 5:4-5). All of this occurs instantaneously. All of this occurs at the beginning. The person has journeyed from being a condemned sinner to becoming instantly a converted saint - regenerated, faith believing, repentant, justified, adopted - all thanks to the Spirit's working, the Father's will and the Son's finished work.  

The Christian now has all of the Holy Spirit they're ever going to get. However, the issue that remains from regeneration onwards is: "how much of me does God the Holy Spirit have?" Such issues will be covered in tomorrow's post when we answer the second main question today: What ought to occur after the Christian life has begun? More tomorrow....