Life in the “Spirit” is a place where many of today’s believers have not entered. Even Jewish teacher “Nicodemus” did not fully grasp the concept of what life in the Spirit was all about. It is much deeper than charismatic anointing, teaching and gifts. It is actually a realm that is available to all believers everywhere. Old Testament patriarch Enoch learned the secret. he was the first recorded in the Bible that never tasted death. The writer of Hebrews tells us the following about Enoch; Hebrews 11:5-6 (ESV)
“By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him”
Those 2 verses have so much in them. Verse 5 tells us that Enoch life pleased God. Everything he did was pleasing to God, especially living by faith. Faith does not find its source in us. Faith finds its source in Jesus. In fact to try to live by faith by my own ability becomes a religion that often leads to “self-righteousness”. If I am truly dead to myself, then personal effort does not even enter in the equation. A verse that is often mis-quoted is Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)
“looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of “our” faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
The word “our” was added to many translations that is not there in the original Greek. Yes, Jesus’ faith has an impact on my life but the source of “my” faith is in the finished work of Jesus Christ. This is where I believe that the NASB translate the verse more accurately. Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
“while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith…”
Jesus’ resurrection guaranteed every promise of His being certain; including the ability to walk and live in the Spirit. Living by faith means “taking risks” into the belief that God wants us to experience a deeper walk than many of us are experiencing. In fact, I believe walking by faith will be imperative for us in this next season. The Apostle John was “in the Spirit’ on the island for the criminally insane on Patmos. His situation did not limit his focus. He experienced and wrote that greatest revelation of the resurrected Christ.
How do we begin? Paul gives us a beginning protocol in the book of Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV)
“And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,19 addressing one another [in] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”
Thanksgiving and praise are the keys to begin. “Lord, help us to always live a life of thanksgiving so that You may fill us with Your Spirit. Help us to live a life of unconditional love and thanksgiving. We want to glorify you in all we do. Bring us deeper into your presence as we choose to live and believe that you have created us to do so!”