Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Yielding Our Will.


Walking in the Spirit

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Gal_5:25 

Is there any doubt as to whether or not we live in the Spirit?--Not the slightest, nor is there any implied. Because we live in the Spirit, we are in duty bound to submit to the Spirit. Only by the Spirit's power--the same Spirit that in the beginning hovered over the face of the deep and brought order out of chaos--can any person live. "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Job 33:4. By the same breath were the heavens made. Ps.33:6. The Spirit of God is the life of the universe. The Spirit of God in our nostrils (Job 27:3) keeps us in life. The Spirit is the universal presence of God, in whom "we live, and move, and have our being." We are dependent on the Spirit for life, and therefore should walk according to, or be guided by, the Spirit. This is our "reasonable service." 

What a wondrous possibility is here set forth! To live in the flesh as though the flesh were spirit.

"There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." "Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterwards that which is spiritual." 1Cor.15:44,46.

The natural body we now have; the spiritual body all the true followers of Christ will receive at the resurrection. See 1Cor. 15:42-44,50-53.

1Co 15:42  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 
1Co 15:43  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 
1Co 15:44  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 
1Co 15:51  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 
1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

Yet in this life, in the natural body, men are to be spiritual,--to live just as they will in the future spiritual body.

"Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you." Rom.8:9. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them; because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things." 1Cor.2:14,15.  "Except a man be born again [from above], he can not see the kingdom of God." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." John 3:3,6. By our natural birth we inherit all the evils enumerated in this fifth chapter of Galatians, "and such like." We are fleshly; corruption rules in us. By the new birth we inherit the fullness of God, being made "partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2Pet.1:4. "The old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Eph.4:22), is crucified, and "put off," "that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Rom.6:6).

Abiding in the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, the flesh with its lusts has no more power over us than if we were actually dead and in our graves. It is then the Spirit of God alone that animates the body. The Spirit uses the flesh as an instrument of righteousness. The flesh is still corruptible, still full of lusts, still ready to rebel against the Spirit, but as long as we yield our wills to God, the Spirit holds the flesh in check.

(((Yielding our wills to God. CONSTANTLY living with the desire to ask ourselves is the way I am living yielding to God. How do we yield to God?

But many do not know what self-denial and sacrifice for Christ’s sake mean. Should God speak to them as he did to Abraham, saying, Sacrifice your possessions, your temporal benefits, that I have lent you, to advance my cause, they would be astonished, and think that God did not mean what he said. God knew to whom he spoke when he gave the command to Abraham. Abraham knew that One faithful and true had commanded,—One whose promises are unfailing. Had God commanded him to offer his gold, silver, or even his own life, he would have done so, knowing that he was only yielding to God his own. God requires no more of man than he in his infinite love has given. {YI March 8, 1900, par. 2}

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_YI.March.8.1900.par.2&para=469.3881>

If we will come into close relation with God, if we will yield to God His own—our mind, our heart, and all that there is of us—we will indeed find peace and happiness that we can obtain nowhere else. 

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_UL.307.2&para=147.2360>

 God give you hearts to feel and yield to God.

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_Lt11-1871.15&para=3633.21>

We need to understand the Word of God, to study it, and make it first among all the studies in our schools. Among everything that may come within our reach, there is nothing to be compared to the Word of God as our instructor. If we will come into close relation with God, if we will yield to God His own—our mind, our heart, and all that there is of [us], we will indeed find peace and happiness that we can obtain no where else

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_Ms16-1895.2&para=4989.7>

They may learn even in their youth to live thoughtful, earnest lives that yield to God a rich harvest of good.

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_Ms170-1907.17&para=7782.23>

How tenacious are men of their own way. They try to excuse their sinful habits by saying, “Oh, this is my way.” But will your way be acceptable to God? Will you present your way at the gate of the city into which nothing that defileth shall enter, and expect to have an entrance there? The Lord will say: “I know your way, and it is a wicked way. You would not permit me to rule over you on earth, and you are not prepared for an entrance here. You refused to be led by my spirit, you rejected my counsel, and set at naught my grace, and heaven would not be heaven to you, for nothing that defileth can enter here. We emptied sin from heaven when we cast out the great deceiver, and we cannot have sin here again.” Then let us yield our wills to God, that he may mold and fashion us after the Divine Pattern.

From <https://egwwritings.org/?module=writings&params=(search:%27%22yield%20our%20wills%22%27,bookcode:%27%27,filter:[{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%274%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%271227%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%275%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%278%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%279%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%2710%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%27253%27},{%27type%27:%27folder%27,%27key%27:%2714%27}])>

How long will it be before we yield our wills to the will of God? It took fearfully severe experience to lead Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge Jehovah as the supreme Ruler. God is waiting for us to give ourselves to Him. Then He will mold and fashion the perverse human mind into His own likeness, taking the things of Christ and showing them to us. And as we behold the beauty of the Saviour’s character, we shall grow more and more like Him, until at last God can speak to us the words, “Ye are complete in Him.”—Letter 155, 1902, pp. 8, 12, 13. (To Judge Arthur and Wife, September 5, 1902.)

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_7MR.151.2&para=62.778>

How long will it be before we yield our wills to the will of God? It took a fearfully severe experience to lead Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge Jehovah as the supreme Ruler. God is waiting for us to give ourselves to him. Then He will mold and fashion the perverse human mind into His own likeness, taking the things of Christ and showing them to us. And as we behold the beauty of the Saviour’s character, we shall grow more and more like Him, until at last God can speak to us the words, “Ye are complete in Him.” [Colossians 2:10
.] {Lt155-1902.34}
To create the soul anew, to bring light out of darkness, love out of enmity, holiness out of impurity, is the work of Omnipotence alone. The work of the Infinite, as He engages, by the consent of human beings, to make the life complete in Christ, to bring perfection to the character, is the science of eternity. {Lt155-1902.35}

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_Lt155-1902.34&para=10565.46>

Dear brethren and sisters who shall assemble in our camp-meetings, Jesus will do great things for us, if we will faithfully perform our duty. We must yield our will to the will of God. We must honor the Lord by obeying all his commandments, even in what we term little things. The truth, like its divine Author, is unchangeable in its requirements, the same yesterday, today, and forever. It is not in harmony with the traditions of men, it does not conform to their opinions. The truth has ever brought a separation between God’s people and the world. But if our position in former years, as a peculiar people, was approved of God, how does he regard our present position? Have we gained in spirituality since we departed from our early simplicity? “Ye are living epistles, known and read of all men.” It was our Saviour’s mission to “purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” To his disciples he says, “Ye are the light of the world.” And the apostle Paul declares, “We are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.” {ST May 25, 1882, Art. B, par. 20}
Every person will reveal in his life all the faith that he possesses. Our dress, our conversation, our house, our associates, all bear testimony to the world with greater force than words can have. “Faith is made perfect by works,”“but faith without works is dead.” We profess to be giving to the world the last message of mercy. Is our daily life in harmony with our profession? {ST May 25, 1882, Art. B, par. 21}
A form of godliness is popular in the world. A profession of Christianity costs little. There are but few who choose the way of self-denial, the way of the cross. A few, only, with the apostle, bear about in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus, desiring to know nothing but Christ, and him crucified. But God’s blessing will attend the faithful few. He will make them channels of light to the world. {ST May 25, 1882, Art. B, par. 22}

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_ST.May.25.1882.Art.B.par.21&para=820.4434>

I see matchless charms in my Redeemer, I see unsurpassed loveliness in his character, and I want to be like him. But oh, how much pain Christ has to bear because of our crooked and perverse ways! Let us walk with God as did Enoch of old; then our Saviour will not be ashamed to call us brethren. But we cannot expect to receive this favor unless we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. God has given us precious advantages, that we might understand his will as revealed in his word; and in return shall we not yield our will to him, and with all the heart believe what he has said to us? If we will, our heavenly Father will bestow abundant blessings upon us, and he will say to us by and by, “My child, come up higher;” but if we neglect our duty, we have nothing but condemnation to look for. While probation lasts, we must make the most of our opportunities in seeking the Lord, and the promise is given, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” {ST December 15, 1890, par. 4}

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_ST.May.25.1882.Art.B.par.21&para=820.4434>

Having committed themselves to a course of opposition to Christ, every act of resistance became to the priests an additional incentive to pursue the same course. Their obstinacy became more and more determined. It was not that they could not yield; they could, but would not. It was not alone because they were guilty and deserving of death, not alone because they had put to death the Son of God, that they were cut off from salvation; it was because they armed themselves with opposition to God. They persistently rejected light and stifled the convictions of the Spirit. The influence that controls the children of disobedience worked in them, leading them to abuse the men through whom God was working. The malignity of their rebellion was intensified by each successive act of resistance against God and the message He had given His servants to declare. Every day, in their refusal to repent, the Jewish leaders took up their rebellion afresh, preparing to reap that which they had sown. 

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AA.61.2&para=127.245>

The wrath of God is not declared against unrepentant sinners merely because of the sins they have committed, but because, when called to repent, they choose to continue in resistance, repeating the sins of the past in defiance of the light given them. If the Jewish leaders had submitted to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, they would have been pardoned; but they were determined not to yield. In the same way, the sinner, by continued resistance, places himself where the Holy Spirit cannot influence him. 

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AA.62.1&para=127.248>

The Spirit of God had wrought with and through Paul in his labors for his countrymen. Sufficient evidence had been presented to convince all who honestly desired to know the truth. But many permitted themselves to be controlled by prejudice and unbelief, and refused to yield to the most conclusive evidence. 

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AA.285.3&para=127.1262>

Paul feared lest, having preached to others, he himself should be a castaway. He realized that if he did not carry out in his life the principles he believed and preached, his labors in behalf of others would avail him nothing. His conversation, his influence, his refusal to yield to self-gratification, must show that his religion was not a profession merely, but a daily, living connection with God. One goal he kept ever before him, and strove earnestly to reach—“the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AA.314.2&para=127.1389>

The apostle adjured the Corinthians, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Should they become boastful and self-confident, neglecting to watch and pray, they would fall into grievous sin, calling down upon themselves the wrath of God. Yet Paul would not have them yield to despondency or discouragement. He gave them the assurance: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” {AA 316.1}
Paul urged his brethren to ask themselves what influence their words and deeds would have upon others and to do nothing, however innocent in itself, that would seem to sanction idolatry or offend the scruples of those who might be weak in the faith. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.”

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AA.316.2&para=127.1399>

In striking contrast to the sanctification worked out in the life of John is the experience of his fellow disciple, Judas. Like his associate, Judas professed to be a disciple of Christ, but he possessed only a form of godliness. He was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ; and often, as he listened to the Saviour’s words, conviction came to him, but he would not humble his heart or confess his sins. By resisting the divine influence he dishonored the Master whom he professed to love. John warred earnestly against his faults; but Judas violated his conscience and yielded to temptation, fastening upon himself more securely his habits of evil. The practice of the truths that Christ taught was at variance with his desires and purposes, and he could not bring himself to yield his ideas in order to receive wisdom from heaven. Instead of walking in the light, he chose to walk in darkness. Evil desires, covetousness, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts, were cherished until Satan gained full control of him.

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AA.557.2&para=127.2456>

Unless you have an earnest desire to become children of God, you will not understand clearly how to help each other. To each other ever be tender and thoughtful, giving up your own wishes and purposes to make each other happy. Day by day you may make advancement in self-knowledge. Day by day you may learn better how to strengthen your weak points of character. The Lord Jesus will be your light, your strength, your crown of rejoicing, because you yield the will to His will.... {AH 95.3}
You need the subduing grace of God in your heart. Do not desire a life of ease and inactivity. All who are connected with the Lord’s work must be constantly on guard against selfishness. Keep your lamp trimmed and burning. Then you will not be reckless of your words and actions. You will both be happy if you try to please each other. Keep the windows of the soul closed earthward and opened heavenward.

From <https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_AH.95.3&para=128.406> ))))

If we waver, if we in our hearts turn back to Egypt, or if we become self-confident, and so relax our dependence on the Spirit, then we build again the things that we destroyed, and again make ourselves transgressors.

But this need not be. Christ has "power over all flesh," and He has demonstrated His ability to live a spiritual life in human flesh.  This is the Word made flesh, God manifest in the flesh. It is the revelation of "the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fullness of God."

With this Spirit of love and meekness ruling us, we shall not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.

All things will be of God, and this will be acknowledged, so that none will have any disposition to boast over another.  This Spirit of life in Christ--the life of Christ--is given freely to all. "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." "For the Life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us." "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."

The Glad Tidings
By E. J. WAGGONER
(Excerpt-  To be continued)


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