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¶=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¶=147.2360>
God give you hearts to feel and yield to God.
From
<https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_Lt11-1871.15¶=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¶=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¶=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¶ms=(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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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¶=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)
