DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT 11-18-2014 ILLUMINATION OF THE SPIRIT By Fred Trokie In the Apostle Pauls 1st letter to the Church at Corinth, he explains that comprehending Gods word is not matter of human endeavor but rather by the Illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 says: 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. Our ability to understand, interpret and apply scripture is greatly dependent upon the Holy Spirit’s illuminating ministry. In order for us to access the Holy Spirit’s illuminating ministry, we must first understand the Filling Ministry of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) When we trusted in Christ by believing the Gospel of our Salvation (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), a number of things happened. We were baptized (spiritual baptism) by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13), we were sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) and we became a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). 2 Corinthians 5:17 says: 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. We now have two natures, the old nature or our sin nature, and our new nature which is part of our new creation. God desires us to live under the new creation HOW DO WE LIVE UNDER OUR NEW CREATION? First you must confess any know daily sins that you have committed. This has nothing to do with your salvation, that was settled when you believed the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We Confess our sins for the purpose of fellowship with God and with other believers. 1 John 1:5-9 says: 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie , and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Verse 9 tells us that when we confess our sins to God (our daily sins), He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Whenever we sin we break our fellowship with God, and we need to confess them in order for our fellowship to be restored. Once we confess our sins to God, then we need to apply Ephesians 5:18 which has to do with the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer in Jesus Christ. The filling of the Holy Spirit is to be continuous. In other words when we apply Ephesians 5:18, the Holy Spirit will fill us and give us the ability to do the things which pleases God. When we sin, we break our fellowship with God and the Holy Spirit stops filling us until we confess our sins and apply Ephesians 5:18 again. Ephesians 5:15-18 says: 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. Verse 15 tells to be careful how we walk the word walk (Greek: Peripateo - Strongs# G4043) means to set ones lifestyle by and to live under. Verse 16 says that we should make the most of the time that we have. Verse 17 tells us that we are to understand what the will of God is. It is God’s Will for us to be always Filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) It is in the imperative mood (a command ) It is in the plural form (applies to all believers) It is in the passive voice (filling comes from something other than ourselves ) It is in the present tense (a continual filling) Notice the contrast in verse 18 between being drunk and being filled. Which area of your body is being controlled if your intoxicated? It is your mind. So in contrast, when your Filled with the Spirit, the area of your body that is being controlled by the Spirit, is your mind also. So being filled by the Spirit means that our mind is now under control of God. How to apply Ephesians 5:18 (Filling of the Spirit) Colossians 3:1-2 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 12:2 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. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. So in order for the Holy Spirit to illuminate us to scripture, we must be continuously filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), by setting our minds on things above, which are found in God’s word. When we do this we are able to please God, and bring Glory to Him in all that we do. God Bless – Fred
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 23:27:44 +0000
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