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LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT
WHERE THE SPIRIT (RUACH) OF THE LORD IS, THERE IS LIGHT. WHEN WE WALK IN THE SPIRIT, WE WILL BE IN THE LIGHT. IF WE DEPART FROM THAT WALK, WE HAVE LEFT THE LIGHT AND CAN ONLY BE IN DARKNESS.
THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF GOD'S SPIRIT ARE CHARACTERIZED BY THESE TRAITS:
1) THEY ARE TAUGHT BY THE SPIRIT
John 16:13 (NASB) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of himself; but whatever He hears, He will speak: and He will disclose to you what is to come.
I Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him. 10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searchs all things, yea, the deep things of God.
A. THE SPIRIT GIVES US BALANCED TEACHING. ("into all truth")
He shows us where the emphasis belongs. In following His guidance we will be delivered from the snare of distorted doctrine.
B. AS THE SPIRIT SHOWS US "things to come", WE WILL BE PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE, WHATEVER IT BRINGS.
C. THE UNENLIGHTENED MIND, HOWEVER EDUCATED, CANNOT GRASP "The deep things of God." THEY ARE REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ARE LIVING IN HIS LIGHT.
2) THEY ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
A. GOD GENTLY AND PATIENTLY LEADS HIS CHILDREN BY THE SPIRIT.
Psalms 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Acts 16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man.. saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us
C. NO MATTER HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN IN THE LORD, WE NEED THE SPIRIT TO LEAD US DAY BY DAY.
Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
3) THEY ARE SANCTIFIED BY THE SPIRIT
I Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life.
A. IN OLD TESTAMENT DAYS THE HOLY ANOINTING OIL WAS POURED ON PEOPLE AND VESSELS TO SHOW THEY WERE SEPARATED FOR GOD'S USE. IN THESE DAYS -THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT - OF WHICH THE OIL WAS A TYPE - SEPARATES US AS GOD'S SANCTIFIED SERVANTS.
B. SOWING TO THE SPIRIT MEANS INVESTING OUR LIVES IN HIS SERVICE
Proverbs 10:2 (NASB) Ill-gotten gains do not profit, But righteousness delivers from death . Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
4) THEY POSSESS AND EXHIBIT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22 (NASB) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 Gentleness, self-control: against such things there is no law. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22 (NLB) But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit's power, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
A. LOVE Gal 5:6b Faith working by LOVE
B. JOY Neh 8:10 The JOY of the Lord is our strength
C. PEACE John 14:27 <Yeshua Said> PEACE I leave with you, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Philippians 4:7 And the PEACE of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Messiah Yeshua.
D. PATIENCE (KJV=LONGSUFFERING) 3115 forbearance or fortitude
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of PATIENCE, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.
E. KINDNESS (KJV=GENTLENESS) 5544 moral excellence; goodness
II Corinthians 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness <KINDNESS> of Messiah ....
F. GOODNESS 19 virtue or beneficence
Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the GOODNESS and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, GOODNESS, if thou continue in His GOODNESS: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Ephesians 5:9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all GOODNESS and righteousness and truth
G. FAITHFULNESS (KJV=FAITH) 4102 persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction. (of religious truth - esp. reliance on Messiah for salvation): constancy in such profession; faithfulness
Psalms 119:90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
H. GENTLENESS (KJV=MEEKNESS) 4236 gentleness; by impl. humility
I. SELF-CONTROL (KJV=TEMPERANCE) 1466
CONCLUSION
Colossians 3:12 (NASB) And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as Messiah forgave you, so also should you. 14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
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GOD HAS GOOD PLANS FOR YOUR FUTURE
know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out-- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
"When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.
Jeremiah 29:11 (Message Bible) |
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