Christian Living

Part 14 Overcoming

by james rondinone 
12/19/15
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œBeing Spiritual is Being Dependent on God’s Power

œBecoming Sanctified After Salvation

    I’m sure there are some church goers who have asked themselves the question, what does it mean to be spiritual? Have you? I think the title of the next lesson spells it out.

Being Spiritual is Being Dependent on God’s Power 

   Below is a list of the qualities of being religious or of being spiritual. While these qualities are helpful in discerning the differences between the two, my question to you is: do you know for sure when you leave this earth that you know that you know that you know that you will go to heaven?

   If you say yes, then you are spiritual. You might not be operating in some of the spiritual qualities listed, but you are aware that God has come into your life. When God comes into our lives there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.

   If you say no or I hope so, then you are religious. Our eternal standing is not a guess.

The Qualities of Being Religious

1. Adheres to strict doctrines and strict moral practices.

2. Brings accusations against the saints and causes them harm with the result of compelling them to blaspheme (to deny their faith).

3. Appears to oneself as being righteous.

4. Has the same repetitive defeats as in the past.

5. Is spiritually sufficient only in oneself.

6. Appears to be harmless, meek, and guileless (sincere, honest, and straightforward), but inwardly is destructively vicious.

7. Claims that godliness is evidenced in the performing of good deeds or works.

8. Claims to be doing God’s will, because he/she speaks His word, exorcises demons, and performs wonderful actions.

9. Evidences the practical effect of his teachings, which reproduce after their kind, the qualities of the sin nature.

10. Considers oneself good by what he/she does for God and uses other people as his standard for measuring righteousness.

11. Concludes that his/her spiritual life is based on his/her outward religious duty.

12. Speaks or preaches with enticing words of man’s wisdom (clever words that educated people use79) or with persuasive discourses.

13. Involved with religious systems which have no power to save the soul.

14. Involved with religious systems which cannot impart spiritual riches.

15. Involved with religious systems which proclaim adherence to certain mandates to the minutest detail in order to secure one’s salvation.

16. Operates in a love that is selfish and puts an emphasis on self-importance, self-interests, and self-centeredness.

17. Has an outward form of godliness, but is estranged from God’s power operating upon the soul.

18. Holds to the outward form of religion, but rejects its real power.

19. Ever increases in knowledge, but is unable to come to the precise and correct experiential knowledge of the truth.

20. Is not willing to listen to or to continue to accept true doctrine that contributes to the health of the soul.

21. Dislikes, despises, and even hates sound doctrine.

22. Heaps to oneself a great number of teachers or preachers whose preaching or teaching is in accordance with satisfying one’s carnal desires or evil propensities.

23. Heaps to oneself a great number of teachers or preachers whose preaching or teaching deals gently with their vices.

24. Desires to hear from teachers or preachers only what he/she enjoys.

25. Turns away from the sound doctrine of the word of God which teaches self-discipline, humility, and purity of heart and life.

26. Follows certain religious laws or observances and believes that, by doing so he/she will become holier.

27. Rejects the truth of God’s word so that he/she is not free from corrupt desires, sin, and guilt.

28. Openly expresses faith, allegiance, and loyalty to God but in works contradicts Him, because he operates in unnatural lusts.

29. Denies Jesus as master and Lord by immorality under a cloak of religion.

30. Blasphemes and ridicules the church and its faith by promoting the works of the flesh, which include fornication and uncleanness.

31. Cheats others by telling lies because of greed.

32. Speaks flowery and pretentious words which are devoid of truth and appropriateness.

33. Entices others by promoting the works of the flesh, which include fornication and uncleanness.

34. Presents sexual acts as legitimate expressions of Christian freedom.

35. Promises new converts to the faith the liberty to do as they please.

36. Has become captives and slaves to the pollutions of the world from which he/she had escaped.

37. Has gone back to their formal immoral life.

The Qualities of Being Spiritual

1. Believes that the promise of Messiah has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ who, as the God-man, has risen from the dead and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.

2. Allows God to direct his/her inward motives.

3. Realizes that simply obeying strict doctrines and strict moral practices does not cause them to be spiritual.

4. Desires for unbelievers: to be enlightened and instructed; to be turned from the darkness of paganism and sin to the light and purity of the gospel; to be turned from the dominion of Satan to God so that they might receive the removal of guilt and the pollution of sin, which brings about the purification of the heart, along with heirship among those who are sanctified.

5. Believes that both Jews and Gentiles should repent and turn to God..

6. Is involved with constant self-examination.

7. Believes that Godliness is revealed by the tongue of one’s heart81, which indicates whether a person is inwardly corrupt or pure.

8. Evidences the practical effect of his/her teachings, which reproduces after its kind, the spiritual qualities of the Holy Spirit.

9. Is aware that the spiritual life starts from within, in the soul and mental attitude.

10. Is aware of sin (mental, verbal, and overt) in his/her life and confesses every transgression to God. Also, has an attitude toward God of, “Be merciful to me, a sinner.”

11. Learns, meditates upon, and applies pertinent scriptures or Godly thoughts to those areas of thought that are self-centered.

12. Speaks and preaches showing spiritual power and signs that convince people that God’s Spirit was working powerfully.”

13. Desires to be taught God’s truth by teachers who are sent from God.

14. Desires the sound doctrine of the word of God which teaches self-discipline, humility, and purity of heart and life.

15. Has a heart and mind with no habitual sinful thoughts.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts. Proverbs 21:2

Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. Psalms 55:19

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:15-23

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:10-14

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 1 Corinthians 2:4

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, …I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 2 Peter 2:1-3

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:18-20

To Open their Eyes, and to Turn them from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God

Suggested Reading: Acts 24:27; Chapters 25 & 26

   Festus Porcius succeeded Felix (A.D. 60 AD) as procurator (an employee of the Roman emperor in civil affairs, especially in finance and taxes, in management of imperial estates and properties, and in governing minor provinces) of Judea. A few weeks after he had entered his office, the case of Paul — then a prisoner at Caesarea — was reported to him.

   While Festus was on a visit to Jerusalem, the high priest and the chief of the Jews made accusations against Paul and then proceeded to ask him if he would bring Paul to Jerusalem from Caesarea so that they might put him to death. The accusations made against Paul were delineated by him according to Acts 26:20,21. The leaders were upset with him because he told them that they should repent, turn to God and do works meet for repentance.

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Acts 26:20-21

   Festus returned to Caesarea and held court in the matter against Paul. Many Jews testified against him, but none of what they said could be proven. Following this, Festus asked Paul if he would go with him to Jerusalem to be judged there but Paul refused, saying that he had done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, being a Roman citizen, he proceeded to appeal his case to Caesar in Rome.

   On the next day, Festus heard Paul defend himself in the presence of Herod Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. Paul stated that he was a member of the Pharisees, which is the strictest religious sect of the Jews in doctrine and morality. He was commissioned by the chief priests to have Christians placed in prison, giving consent that they should be killed. When Jesus made himself known to him, as he was on his way to Damascus, he believed in him as the promised Messiah/Savior who was raised from the dead and was now sitting at the right hand of God the Father. Instead of persecuting Christians, he was now sent to unbelievers to enlighten, instruct, and turn them from the darkness of paganism and sin to the light and purity of the gospel, and also to turn them from the dominion of Satan, that they may receive purification of the heart and heirship among the saints. Not having found in him anything worthy of death or of bonds, Herod Agrippa II would have set him free had he not appealed unto Caesar. In consequence of this appeal, Paul was sent to Rome for trial.

   Being able to discern or distinguish whether we or another person is religious or spiritual can be very difficult. According to some, religion seems to equate to Christianity, and being religious seems to equate to being spiritual. Following or obeying certain commands, observing certain days of the year, volunteering to help out in church activities, or being on a church board makes us believe that we are serving God.

   However, truly serving God is getting to know him in a personal way. This starts by being born again and having the Holy Spirit reside in us. What should follow is learning about God’s thoughts and ways and making them our own, which should cultivate a dependence on the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. Spirituality involves a complete abandonment of who we used to be and a complete dependence on God’s declaration about us.

   Religion teaches us to be dependent on that which is tangible. Spirituality teaches us to be dependent on the one we can’t see.

   Religion causes us to be satisfied with ourselves and our accomplishments. Spirituality causes us to be satisfied with God for ourselves and the accomplishments that are based on spiritual perspectives operating with spiritual power.

   Are you religious or spiritual?

   1 John 3:24 states that hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. Is the Spirit abiding in you? If not, then ask him to come into your life right now, confessing with your mouth to God the Father that you are a sinner and professing these words: Jesus I believe in you as God, as the one who came to earth and took upon himself the form of a man; born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, having paid for the sins of the whole world; having forgiven them; rose again after three days never to die again, and ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father. Now that you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, ask him to guide you to a Spirit-filled assembly of believers that will help you to become God dependent and not remain in self-dependence.

But 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. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39

   After salvation, now what? How do we grow as a Christian? How do we become more Christ-like? The following lesson will answer these questions.

Becoming Sanctified After Salvation

Sanctified

to separate from earth and common use, and to devote or dedicate to God and his service; in his getting the ascendancy over evil thoughts, and passions, and impure desires83, the sanctification of the New Testament is a spiritual process passing over heart and conscience and will, and is the work of the Divine Spirit.

   This study takes a look at, “How do we become sanctified after we have received the Holy Spirit by the hearing of faith?”.

   In Galatians chapter 3, Paul is addressing these believers reminding them that, having begun with the Holy Spirit ruling their spiritual lives as the essence and active principle how is it now they are moving on to spiritual maturity by works? They began to busy themselves with ceremonial performances, observance of days and festivals, distinctions of meats, and other matters of ceremonial prescription; with petty strivings and disputing, of course, about such points, and as a result they incurred the loss of spiritual victory over sin.

Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3

   Many believers, after reading this chapter, would probably conclude that they would never abandon the ministry of the Holy Spirit by following the nuances of the Mosaic Law.

   A lot of churches might agree that they are implementing divine protocol in order for the congregation to be sanctified. Christ’s truths are being taught and learned; there is a laboring (meaning to try very hard, e.g. being faithful to church attendance, Bible study, financial giving, volunteering, personal reading and studying, prayer, etc.); and yet the effects of the filling (control, guidance, direction) of the Spirit (these effects being to experience refreshment in the midst of evils; to have spiritual strength that allows us to be victorious over adverse circumstances; to no longer be satisfying the desires or cravings of our flesh; to receive help when we are under pressure, external suffering, or mental anguish; to possess the life that God is; and to have peace) are not being realized in the lives of its attendees.

   To many churches, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by any one or more of the following:

1. Obedience to the Ten Commandments.

2. Observing the seventh day Sabbath.

3. Tithing.

4. Setting aside certain days with which attendance to them along with adherence to certain ritualistic practices is a must.

5. Being immersed in water, otherwise known as water baptism, following a profession of faith in Christ.

6. Partaking of communion.

7. Church attendance.

8. Being in good health.

9. Doing good for others or performing good works.

10. Being actively involved in church affairs.

11. Being moral.

12. Being on a missionary team.

13. Being on a prayer team.

14. Conducting a Bible study.

15. Working with the youth ministry.

   After reading this paper, you might be upset with me because one or more of the areas mentioned above happen to be your evidence as to whether the Holy Spirit is working in your life and in the lives of your fellow believers. All I would like you to do is to consider that other believers probably have a different belief system concerning the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives than you do. Probably, if they knew about your perspective, they would disagree with you, and if you knew about their perspective, then you would disagree with them.

   So what is my point? Maybe the answer to “How do we become sanctified after we have received the Holy Spirit by the hearing of faith?” is: none of the above. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t attend to the gatherings of the believers; that we shouldn’t pray; that we shouldn’t promote good works; etc. What I’m saying is that these actions don’t necessarily support the premise that they evidence the working or ministry of the Holy Spirit. I believe that it is the other way around. We need to learn how to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives first and foremost so that when we are involved with prayer, good works, etc. it is by means of his control, guidance, and direction.

The Pharisee and the Publican

Religious Self-Preservation

   The Pharisee’s prayer was concerned with telling God what a good man he was, for not only did he keep the Law by fasting and tithing, but he also considered himself better than other people. He was using other people as his standard for measuring righteousness.

   The religious person operates in his own power; commends himself for what he does for God; commends himself for living a life of morality, evidences godliness by his actions; and has little or no acknowledgment or admittance of problem areas in his life because, according to their viewpoint, God sanctions their actions.

Spiritual Sanctification

   The publican did not hide his sins under a cloak of religion. When he sinned, he went to God and admitted his fault, letting an atonement be made for him. The spiritual person recovers God’s power.

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:10-14

What Does it Mean to be Sanctified?

To be sanctified, according to Ephesians 5:18, means to be continually filled (controlled, guided, and directed) by the Holy Spirit:

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 

When the Holy Spirit is Controlling Us, What are the Effects of His Filling?

œWe will no longer be satisfying any of our cravings, longings, or desires of the flesh, whether good or bad. Galatians 5:16

œWe will have peace and joy in our lives. Also, we will be provided with refreshment, rest, and (inner) deliverance from evils of any kind. Acts 3:19

œWe will be illuminated, sanctified, and guided by His influence. Luke 1:15

œWe will be furnished with power, the resurrection power of Christ, for instructing, reforming, elevating, and tranquilizing the soul. Also, we will be enabled with spiritual strength to be victorious over adverse circumstances and to remain faithful to our Lord, to have love for other people, and to bring our own passions under control. 2 Timothy 1:7

œWe will have the resurrection life which the saint enjoys. It is the eternal life given him as the motivating energy and directive agent of the new kind of life he lives, together with that life lived out. Colossians 3:3

œWe will be comforted when we are under pressure, external suffering, or internal mental anguish. 2 Corinthians 1:4

œWe will have the inward rest which the believer’s soul has in Christ, which relates to a cessation from care, anxiety, and labor90. Hebrews 4:10

How Do We Get the Filling of the Holy Spirit?

œBy thinking about those things which the Spirit produces or affects in our minds. Romans 8:5

œBy seeking those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces and following his leadings. Romans 8:6

œBy being transformed (an expression which comes from one’s inner being, appearing as new persons with new habits). Romans 12:2

œBy being renewed in our minds (the renovation of our mental processes). Romans 12:2

œBy meditating on God’s Word, memorizing it, and making it a part of our inner person. Romans 12:2

œBy putting on the person we now are in Christ. Colossians 3:10

œBy thinking the way Jesus thought. Philippians 2:5

œBy responding positively, accepting and believing the message preached, letting it find its way into our minds and making it our own. Hebrews 4:11

œBy confessing our sins to God the Father. 1 John 1:9                                                                         

œBy attending an assembly of believers that instructs us inthese spiritual truths. Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 4:11,12

   Sanctification is a spiritual process causing a believer to become more like God. We become more like Him as we become more and more adept in getting victory over evil, thoughts, passions, and desires by means of the word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Are you becoming more and more adept in getting victory over evil, thoughts, passions, and desires by means of the word of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit?

   If not, have you considered that one reason might be the church assembly you are attending.  Are the teachings from the church addressing: the mending, repair, or correcting of all that is deficient of the saints; the spiritual service or the work of Christian service; the growth of the body of Christ which causes each believer to grow strong so that every member might become mature or fully grown? If these teachings are not taking place, then you will not understand how to put off your former habits that are a result of being dominated by the totally depraved nature. As a result, you will have the same continual defeats in your life that you have had in the past without any remedy for victory.

   Do you want to enjoy your new life in Christ? If you do, then it’s time to move on to the place where the teachings are drawing you closer to God and not further and further away.

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. John 17:6

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:15-17

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-12

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

   I hope that these lessons have provided you with insight so that you can address these areas in order to further your spiritual growth.

   In the next chapter we will only look at one lesson. This one has to do with recognizing a Spirit-filled pastor. I will leave you with this question to ponder, is there a way for a believer who is attending a particular assembly to be able to discern as to whether the pastor is Spirit-filled?

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