Having little expression of Christ in our lives

[Vine Abider]

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know." 1 John 2:20 (NASV)

The anointing is simply the movement of Christ, the anointed One, within us. The anointing abides in our spirit. So in our spirit we are living with Jesus, with His nature. In our spirit we are partakers of the divine nature and we are begotten of God. Thus, whenever our emotions are not compatible with His life and nature, there is movement in us.

Many times we do not interact with the Lord in that movement, or anointing. Instead we go to our mind and reason. We make excuses, we push down the sense coming from God's life. We cope with it somehow. In other words, we handle it ourselves. Consequently, we may go for years in the same way, having little expression of Christ in our life. 

(from "The Supplied Life")

[Starise]

27 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know." 1 John 2:20 (NASV)

The anointing is simply the movement of Christ, the anointed One, within us. The anointing abides in our spirit. So in our spirit we are living with Jesus, with His nature. In our spirit we are partakers of the divine nature and we are begotten of God. Thus, whenever our emotions are not compatible with His life and nature, there is movement in us.

Many times we do not interact with the Lord in that movement, or anointing. Instead we go to our mind and reason. We make excuses, we push down the sense coming from God's life. We cope with it somehow. In other words, we handle it ourselves. Consequently, we may go for years in the same way, having little expression of Christ in our life. 

(from "The Supplied Life")

Certainly we know, but how do you describe that to someone else who doesn't? 

[Vine Abider]

5 minutes ago, Starise said:

Certainly we know, but how do you describe that to someone else who doesn't? 

Sounds like the job of the Anointing . . .

[Starise]

14 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Sounds like the job of the Anointing . . .

What if it's someone who claims they don't believe in God? I don't see an annointing happening there do you.

[Vine Abider]

44 minutes ago, Starise said:

What if it's someone who claims they don't believe in God? I don't see an annointing happening there do you.

Not sure I understand your question - the Anointing is just the Spirit of Christ in a believer, and that happens through rebirth, right?

[Starise]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

Not sure I understand your question - the Anointing is just the Spirit of Christ in a believer, and that happens through rebirth, right?

That's right, but if we see one of our reasons for being here as ministering to those who are lost, these are the kinds of things they ask. I know how I would answer the question. Even though I am pretty ceratain it would still leave doubts in some unbelievers minds.

 

 

[D. Adrien]

Apologetics. I'm no good at it, I simply try to place a seed in the individual's mind, only if asked about my faith. I never vocalize my Christianity unless an inquiring mind wants to know. Actions always speak louder than words. "Watch what they do, not what they say".

[Vine Abider]

2 hours ago, Starise said:

That's right, but if we see one of our reasons for being here as ministering to those who are lost, these are the kinds of things they ask. I know how I would answer the question. Even though I am pretty ceratain it would still leave doubts in some unbelievers minds.

 

 

Well then I suppose all we can do is testify of how the Anointing in us has spoken and directed us, the outcome, etc.

[Marilyn C]

7 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

"But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know." 1 John 2:20 (NASV)

The anointing is simply the movement of Christ, the anointed One, within us. The anointing abides in our spirit. So in our spirit we are living with Jesus, with His nature. In our spirit we are partakers of the divine nature and we are begotten of God. Thus, whenever our emotions are not compatible with His life and nature, there is movement in us.

Many times we do not interact with the Lord in that movement, or anointing. Instead we go to our mind and reason. We make excuses, we push down the sense coming from God's life. We cope with it somehow. In other words, we handle it ourselves. Consequently, we may go for years in the same way, having little expression of Christ in our life. 

(from "The Supplied Life")

I believe that too often we are looking for outward effects instead of the work of the Holy Spirit changing us inside to be like Christ. And that is very subtle. It could be the person is quickened to watch how they come across to others, or being careful with their eyes on what they watch, or attending to their wayward thoughts, etc. All these are not immediately noticeable by others, but the person knows what is happening.

Over time friends would see changes. For example I used to be so `intense` on getting out the word, whereas now I rest in knowing the Lord will use me as I`m `resting,` listening etc. 

[AnOrangeCat]

8 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Many times we do not interact with the Lord in that movement, or anointing. Instead we go to our mind and reason. We make excuses, we push down the sense coming from God's life. We cope with it somehow. In other words, we handle it ourselves. Consequently, we may go for years in the same way, having little expression of Christ in our life. 

Something that I feel fits into this is being content with where we are in Christ. An addict going "I'm down from daily to once every two weeks! Great!" and stopping there is an example of that. So is someone who feels like their understanding of the Bible is enough and then they just stop there, or someone who feels like the level of time and energy they devote to God is enough. I imagine I'm about as guilty of falling into this mentality as anyone else, but I've come to realize that it's a real growth killer. Ideally we don't stop growing in our walk with God. Continued growth is a sign of life.