How Important is the Inner Life?

[Vine Abider]

I enjoyed a devotional today, which I copied below. It is emphasizing how key the experiencing the inner life is to a believer. We know this inner life is simply Christ in us, or "the Spirit of Jesus Christ." This One living and moving in us is also called the Anointing (Greek: "chrisma"). In this way, I believe God is writing His laws on our hearts (which is the new covenant; see: 2 Cor 3:3, Ezk 11:19 & 36:26, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:9)

However, when I listen to radio and TV preachers, I don't hear very much about this.  That is, it seems to be seldom mentioned that the way to live the Christian life is through His inner "painting" and that it's by this that we are influenced by God and transformed into the image of Christ.  Rather the focus of so many preachers seems to be on following the words in the bible (which is certainly not a bad thing), but in an outward way of letter and laws.

Or maybe could it be that I'm just assuming that they mean to follow the word in an outward way and that we are to do it out of our own energy and strength?  But I too often hear things like, "All the answers are in the Bible, and you just need to learn what they are so you can obey God's word and then do it properly."  This seems like the focus is on me doing it, instead of me letting the Spirit's life do it in me. We do need to follow His word, but not just in the sense of the dead letter, but in spirit and in reality --> for apart from Him, we can do exactly nothing!

Does this make sense, and am I correct in this observation?

From the Supplied Life by Bill Freeman

A supplied feeling of life February 5th

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and
write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be
My people." HEBREWS 8:10

The Lord's voice infuses and supplies us with love for Him,
godly desires, willingness to obey Him, and the ability to go
along with Him. This reveals that His voice is like an inner
inclination in our being. That is, He puts His inclinations into us.
This is the meaning of the laws put into our mind and written upon
our hearts. This is the nature of His speaking. It is not hearing an
audible voice; neither is it waiting for a vision; nor is it reading some
words that appear before our eyes in a ticker-tape fashion. Rather,
the normal voice of the Son speaking in us comes as a supplied
feeling of life written into our consciousness. This feeling is an inner
inclination, or inner tendency. It may even be considered as an inner
bias, or disposition. It is the bent, or leaning, of our mind, emotion,
and will. For example, there may be an inclination or desire within
you to spend more time with the Lord. You have a leaning in that
direction. It is not an overpowering feeling; nevertheless you seem
to be bent in the direction of desiring more time to spend with the
Lord in your daily life. That inclination is the voice of the Son of
God. He is not speaking audibly in your ears, but He is speaking in
your inner consciousness by an infused tendency. The tendency
carries with it a fresh supply of grace. Thus, whenever you go along
with that tendency and obey it, you discover that the bountiful supply
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ is present there with you, backing up that
tendency with fresh and available grace.

[TrueFollowerOfChrist]

29 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

I enjoyed a devotional today, which I copied below. It is emphasizing how key the experiencing the inner life is to a believer. We know this inner life is simply Christ in us, or "the Spirit of Jesus Christ." This One living and moving in us is also called the Anointing (Greek: "chrisma"). In this way, I believe God is writing His laws on our hearts (which is the new covenant; see: 2 Cor 3:3, Ezk 11:19 & 36:26, Jer 31:33, Heb 8:9)

However, when I listen to radio and TV preachers, I don't hear very much about this.  That is, it seems to be seldom mentioned that the way to live the Christian life is through His inner "painting" and that it's by this that we are influenced by God and transformed into the image of Christ.  Rather the focus of so many preachers seems to be on following the words in the bible (which is certainly not a bad thing), but in an outward way of letter and laws.

Or maybe could it be that I'm just assuming that they mean to follow the word in an outward way and that we are to do it out of our own energy and strength?  But I too often hear things like, "All the answers are in the Bible, and you just need to learn what they are so you can obey God's word and then do it properly."  This seems like the focus is on me doing it, instead of me letting the Spirit's life do it in me. We do need to follow His word, but not just in the sense of the dead letter, but in spirit and in reality --> for apart from Him, we can do exactly nothing!

Does this make sense, and am I correct in this observation?

From the Supplied Life by Bill Freeman

A supplied feeling of life February 5th

"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and
write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be
My people." HEBREWS 8:10

The Lord's voice infuses and supplies us with love for Him,
godly desires, willingness to obey Him, and the ability to go
along with Him. This reveals that His voice is like an inner
inclination in our being. That is, He puts His inclinations into us.
This is the meaning of the laws put into our mind and written upon
our hearts. This is the nature of His speaking. It is not hearing an
audible voice; neither is it waiting for a vision; nor is it reading some
words that appear before our eyes in a ticker-tape fashion. Rather,
the normal voice of the Son speaking in us comes as a supplied
feeling of life written into our consciousness. This feeling is an inner
inclination, or inner tendency. It may even be considered as an inner
bias, or disposition. It is the bent, or leaning, of our mind, emotion,
and will. For example, there may be an inclination or desire within
you to spend more time with the Lord. You have a leaning in that
direction. It is not an overpowering feeling; nevertheless you seem
to be bent in the direction of desiring more time to spend with the
Lord in your daily life. That inclination is the voice of the Son of
God. He is not speaking audibly in your ears, but He is speaking in
your inner consciousness by an infused tendency. The tendency
carries with it a fresh supply of grace. Thus, whenever you go along
with that tendency and obey it, you discover that the bountiful supply
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ is present there with you, backing up that
tendency with fresh and available grace.

I must admit confusion to what you are saying here. Are you saying people don't let Christ live through them? Are you saying people do 100% of the work in their own life? I admit that during my many years as a Christian, I'm not even sure what it really means to let Christ live through you. I have struggled mightily to be the Christian I am today. If I didn't struggle so hard, I would be one of the worst sinners walking the streets. Much effort is required on our part. 

[1to3]

3 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

His inner "painting"

Is it inner painting like a picture or inner panting like a yearning thirst?

 

I like that reference very much -Inner Panting, because Its so true, for the person truly seeking salvation in Him, there comes a true yearning,a true inner panting, a true thirst to drink and be filled of His Holy  Water=(Holy Spirit within) and have a daily relationship with Him

Yes the inner painting within is a sign of longing to know better our Lord, get closer to Him our loving  Savior and to become the Child of God He always intended for us to be.

Psalms 42:1-5

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

 

Edited February 5, 2023 by 1to3

[1to3]

2 hours ago, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

 If I didn't struggle so hard, I would be one of the worst sinners walking the streets. Much effort is required on our part. 

Hallelujah brother TrueFollowerOf Christ,  that is a good sign, that shows you really want to know God, you really want to have a loving relationship with Your Lord and savior Christ Jesus, as you are panting to get to know Him and get refreshed b His Holy water=Holy Spirit more and more and not giving up on you  true search and thirst for Him.

[TheBlade]

I have these tapes (dating myself here) like 40 years old. This young preacher at the time it was all about the "inner man". If that's what you were talking about. Something yeah you don't hear much on. 

[Waggles]

Pentecostal Christians are very familiar with the doctrine of our inner person - it is what having the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues is all about -

2Cor 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power be of God, and not from us; 
8  we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not over-perplexed; 
9  pursued, yet not left behind; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 
10  always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus be manifested in our body.
11  For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus, that the life also of Jesus be manifested in our mortal flesh. 
12  So that death worketh in us, but life in you. 
13  But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, wherefore I spake; we also believe, wherefore also we speak; 
14  knowing that who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 
15  For all the things are for you, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. 
16  Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

Praying in the Holy Spirit daily allows the power of God's indwelling Spirit to transform our inner being - our heart and mind - so that we lose our proclivity for sinning and begin to develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our walk.

[Waggles]

Again this is written for the benefit of Spirit-filled Pentecostal disciples -

Ephesians 3:14  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 
15  from whom all fatherhood in heavens and on the earth is named, 
16  that he give you, according to the riches of his glory, to be made mighty through his Spirit unto the inward man; 
17  that the Christ dwell in your hearts through faith in love, rooted and grounded,

To have the Holy Spirit and to pray in the Holy Spirit allows God to work within us - metamorphosis 

[Vine Abider]

43 minutes ago, TheBlade said:

I have these tapes (dating myself here) like 40 years old. This young preacher at the time it was all about the "inner man". If that's what you were talking about. Something yeah you don't hear much on. 

Well I don't know - what were tapes about?  I admit that some so-called "inner-life" teaching is a little too extreme. 

That is, some inner-life teachers might say it's ALL of Him and none of me, so just sit there until He does it.  And in one sense I suppose that's partially true . . .  However, I liken it to all the immense power in a monster truck.  It has tremendous power, but unless someone does the relatively minor thing of starting it & putting it in gear, it just sits there . . . waiting for us to engage it!

[Vine Abider]

5 hours ago, TrueFollowerOfChrist said:

I must admit confusion to what you are saying here. Are you saying people don't let Christ live through them? Are you saying people do 100% of the work in their own life? I admit that during my many years as a Christian, I'm not even sure what it really means to let Christ live through you. I have struggled mightily to be the Christian I am today. If I didn't struggle so hard, I would be one of the worst sinners walking the streets. Much effort is required on our part. 

So this verse comes to mind: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure!" (Phil 2:13)  On one hand we can't change the number of hairs on our head or our stature one iota.  On the other hand, we have to turn to Him and depend on Him to let Him do what He's doing in us.

And I think that little word, "LET" is huge!  He's done it all and has promised to do it all in us (transforming us into the image of the Son), but we have to LET Him do it.  This takes a surrender and yielding to the direction of His indwelling life.  Without this operation of His, whatever our efforts might produce is merely cosmetic window dressing that won't survive the testing fire.

[Vine Abider]

17 minutes ago, Waggles said:

Pentecostal Christians are very familiar with the doctrine of our inner person - it is what having the Holy Spirit and praying in tongues is all about -

2Cor 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power be of God, and not from us; 
8  we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not over-perplexed; 
9  pursued, yet not left behind; smitten down, yet not destroyed; 
10  always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus be manifested in our body.
11  For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus, that the life also of Jesus be manifested in our mortal flesh. 
12  So that death worketh in us, but life in you. 
13  But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, wherefore I spake; we also believe, wherefore also we speak; 
14  knowing that who raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. 
15  For all the things are for you, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God. 
16  Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.

Praying in the Holy Spirit daily allows the power of God's indwelling Spirit to transform our inner being - our heart and mind - so that we lose our proclivity for sinning and begin to develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our walk.

I wouldn't disagree - whatever the Spirit uses is beneficial for our transformation.  However, as it says in 1st Corinthians 12:30, not all speak in tongues. So whatever the HS uses with a particular person, this will be useful for the transformation of that person and for the building up of the body.