How Important is the Inner Life?

[Marilyn C]

My contribution is what I have been taught and experienced in Body life. Now what I read reminds me of that picture where people were describing an elephant from different parts of the animal.

Anyway, having been a teacher I will write my thoughts in point form.

1. Salvation. (to all)

The Holy Spirit draws the person to the Lord convicting them. As they receive Christ a Savior their `dead` spirit comes alive to God. From there the Holy Spirit begins the transformation process of becoming like Christ. (Eph. 2: 1, Rom. 8: 29)

2. Empowering of the Holy Spirit. (to all)

Seeking the Lord for His Holy Spirit`s empowerment to witness and minister. The private heavenly language is given to build up the believer. (1 Cor. 14: 1 - 4)

3. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. (to all as distributed by the Holy Spirit) 

These are public or body giftings to encourage, edify and build up the Body of Christ. (Eph. 4: 16, 1 Cor. 12: 7 - 11)

4. The Headship Ministries of the Ascended Lord.  (by the Holy Spirit to some.)

The Lord at the right hand of the Father is overseeing the building of the Body of Christ. His ascension ministries -

`And He (Christ) gave some to be apostles...some prophets,...some evangelists...some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ.` (Eph. 4: 11 & 12)

Christ`s ministries, (apostle, prophet, teacher, pastor, evangelist) develop the believers and the whole Body into spiritual maturity and understanding. They stimulate the perfecting of the `Christ life` and promote the function and ministry of each member in the Body.

[Marathoner]

On 2/7/2023 at 4:18 PM, Vine Abider said:

I've not spoken in tongues. I've had those around me who do.  One person was pretty strong that it was pretty much a necessity for me.  He talked to me and sent me books.  But then even one of the books quoted Paul saying "not all speak in tongues, do they?" (1 Cor 12:30)  And then Paul goes on in chapter 13 to say there is a more excellent way . . .

So I have prayed a few times for the gift, but have not received.  Therefore I assume this gift isn't meant for me.  If others have the genuine gift of tongues - great!  They will no doubt build-up their own faith with that gift.  God seems to have other ways/gifts for me.

It's interesting that one of the books which was given to me on the subject, enumerated and went into detail concerning what the baptism of the Spirit looks like.  I saw that I experienced most all of those things after one encounter with the living God I had, just not the tongues aspect.

We cannot judge others upon the basis of gifts. That's a grievous thing to witness. 

If there's one thing I know, it's this: the Lord raises each one of us up to walk in those works He ordained for us, which are those good works in Jesus Christ we are created to do. Seeing as how this is the work of the Lord and no other --- we are clay in His hand, and He is the potter --- then whatever we receive from the Lord serves the purpose of His work. 

I don't believe that any of us ought to qualify ourselves through boasting of this or that, knowing that we stand or fall by the Lord alone. We remember the scripture:

Do not slander a slave to his master,
Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty.
(Proverbs 30:10 NASB)

There is a certain haughty pride which we must be vigilant against, unless we find ourselves snared by the fowler along the way. Do you speak in tongues? That's wonderful! I heard of a man who can't speak at all, and the Lord loves him like no other. 

Pride is a millstone around the neck. 

[Not me]

On 2/5/2023 at 8:54 AM, 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 think you are on point and the Spirit of Christ is teaching you wonderfully….. Be so very blessed in that wonderfully…..

A fellow servant of His, Not me

[Not me]

On 2/5/2023 at 11:41 AM, Rosie1jack2pauline3 said:

For me the innermost life is all about Christ in us, as we surrender our will over to him ,we become more and more like Jesus, of course we can do nothing in our own strength, ...we die to self,as it’s the role of the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, change us, to bear the fruit of the Spirit, we lose touch with ourselves as we become consumed with Jesus, I hate my flesh, / old man, ..but, Praise God this old girl is dying to self and becoming more and more like Jesus, he chose us for=HIS purpose and HIS plan...he is also preparing us to be with him in eternity, after all he has prepared a room for us and I don’t want to lose not one of my benefits..I am extremely secure in Christ, although it’s taken him years to work in me to reach this point, I know he’s in control of everything, therefore I offload and hand all of my problems over to him, the Lord is in every situation of my life and I know it, he has brought me to a place of staying focused on Jesus.i have a wonderful intimate relationship with God, One that I dearly cherish...I’m in Love with Christ......I trust the Lord 100%....this is just my thoughts of the innermost life.🙏💗

 

It shows, blessings in Him….

A fellow follower, Not me 

Edited February 9, 2023 by Not me

[Waggles]

1 hour ago, Marathoner said:

Do you speak in tongues? That's wonderful! I heard of a man who can't speak at all, and the Lord loves him like no other. 

And yet the Word of God teaches us all that

Jude 1:17  But YE beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 
18  that they said to you, In the last time mockers shall be, walking after their own ungodly lusts. 
19  These are they who make separations, having only soul, not having Spirit. 
20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 
21  keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 
22  And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and 
23  save, snatching them out of fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1Cor 14:2  For who speaketh in a tongue speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one heareth; but in spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Ephesians 3:16  that he give you, according to the riches of his glory, to be made mighty through his Spirit unto the inward man;

Edited February 9, 2023 by Waggles

[Vine Abider]

21 hours ago, Waggles said:

And yet the Word of God teaches us all that

Jude 1:17  But YE beloved, remember the words spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 
18  that they said to you, In the last time mockers shall be, walking after their own ungodly lusts. 
19  These are they who make separations, having only soul, not having Spirit. 
20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 
21  keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 
22  And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and 
23  save, snatching them out of fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

1Cor 14:2  For who speaketh in a tongue speaketh not to men, but to God; for no one heareth; but in spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Ephesians 3:16  that he give you, according to the riches of his glory, to be made mighty through his Spirit unto the inward man;

That's good!  If tongues was a gift for me, then I'm prety sure I would have received it already.  But this gift is of Him, and it's clear that not all will get it.  However, don't be too concerned for me, because I'm truly blessed in so many other ways! 

So back to the topic at hand . . . "How important is the Inner Life?"

This morning I was touched by things written in a couple devotionals. One said this: "The basis of our being compatible with the Lord's voice is our life-union with Him in spirit. This union is expressed in the Lord's words, 'Because I live, you will live also.' (John 14:19) We live because He lives.  It's that simple." Then it went on to share this verse I got some new light on and which really got my attention: "But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up.'" (John 4:14).

The devotional went on to say that this is the Lord in us - His Spirit in union with our spirit (1 Cor 6:17) meaning His life is in union with our life.  It went on to say, "When we received Christ, an artisan well is established in the deepest part of our being - our spirit."

Then in another devotional it was talking about the Anointing within.  It said, "'The anointing which ye received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you, but... His anointing teacheth you concerning all things' (1 John 2:27). When will believers, when will Christians, come to realize that? Why must Christians who have the knowledge of the Scriptures in the letter, run about here and there to seek advice from others on matters which vitally affect their own spiritual knowledge? I do not mean that it is wrong to get counsel, wrong to know what other children of God of experience think or feel about matters. But if we are going to build our position upon their conclusions, we are in great danger. The final authority and arbiter in all matters is the Spirit of God, the Spirit of the anointing. 

"What I say is: listen, take note; and then go to your final authority Who is in you if you are a child of God, and ask Him to corroborate the truth or to show otherwise. That is your right, your birthright, the birthright of every child of God: to be in the light of the indwelling Spirit of Light, the Spirit of God."

Lastly, I read this verse in Ephesians 1:18 which I turn into a question: "What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance IN the saints?" NOW THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION, ISN'T IT?! 

[Sower]

10 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

So back to the topic at hand . . . "How important is the Inner Life?"

 "How important is the Inner Life"

A bunch.  But. I am so used to control. (outer life)

Letting go, and trusting God. Actually giving/leaving results to God. More.

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief"

Living by faith, then making a living by sight. Against all reason.    Ah ha...!

God's ways vs man's ways.

Exalts the Humble and Humbles the Exalted

To be great, be a servant.

To be first, be last.

Lose your life and keep it
Keep your life and lose it.

When I'm weak, then I'm strong.

To receive , give it away

"Live by faith 
not by sight"

"Worship in spirit and truth"

Let go. Let God.
Believe. From within, the Inner life, in the spirit!

Trust.....this pleases the Father.

(sitting here and got to preaching to myself

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God"

 

 

 

 

[Vine Abider]

Another verse from this morning came to me regarding the importance of the inner life. "They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters." (Jer 2:13)  This coupled with John 4:14, "But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up" shows so very clearly that Christ Himself, dwelling in us is the fountain within each believer!

[Sower]

On 2/10/2023 at 2:13 PM, Vine Abider said:

Why must Christians who have the knowledge of the Scriptures in the letter, run about here and there to seek advice from others on matters which vitally affect their own spiritual knowledge?

       From Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost For His Highest"

"Never ask another person’s advice about anything God makes you decide before Him. If you ask advice, you will almost always side with Satan. “…I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood…” (Galatians 1:16).

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
 

"A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?"   Proverbs 20:24

I remember once a good friend, my old mentor, told me a story about when he was once sitting at home reading and he felt the Lord leading him to stand up and go across town to witness to a friend of his about Jesus. He wondered why so late at night God would have him go, but felt the need to go anyway. He went, knocked on the door, and no one was home. He left and returned home.

He ask what I thought. (more mentoring was coming for sure:)
He said that the fact his friend was not home wasn't important. What was important was, he went. He obeyed that inner voice within, God.

I always remembered that, and many other nuggets. I was blessed to sit and drink gallons of coffee with him talking about the word over the years.

I would rather do one tiny obedience by faith, myself, and know I had pleased the Father. I cannot have many counselors throughout my daily life's decisions.
I eventually have to trust God to make wise decisions.

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 18:2