This article is from Issue 7, Called to be Filled With The Holy Spirit
By N. W. T
BORN OF THE SPIRIT
What a weighty statement Jesus made to Nicodemas who came to him by night for an audience. “Except a man is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:1-21). The term “born again” does not simply imply or mean believing in Jesus. It is a life surrendered to God in every respect where we desire to cease to be.
To conclude His sermon on the mount, The Lord Jesus speaks of the wise man that not only hears His teachings, but also mirrors his image and likeness and brings forth much fruit in his life (Matthew 7: 17-25). Jesus states clearly in this scripture reading how essential and necessary it is for His followers to do the will of the Father, or they will not enter into the kingdom of God but will be rejected.
Many can appear to be sheep, but are clearly wolves in sheep’s clothing as indicated by their works. Even though many will say to Jesus on that day “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? Jesus will profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” What a response Jesus made to them; “I never knew you!” What a profound statement with implications.
Jesus makes it very clear: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.” We know that the love of money is the root of all evil and this could be implicated in their rejection. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Many will come to the Lord on that day expecting great rewards, but will be sadly disappointed. The question is begged, whether they ever were truly born again of water and the spirit.
RESPONDING TO THE INDWELLING SPIRIT OF CHRIST
The hallmark of a truly born-again believer is humility. A true Christian will never want the pre-eminence, and will not want to take the place of another, or to be seen and heard, does not want to stand out from the crowd but will always be willing to take the back seat; this is the Spirit of Christ. They exist only for the manifestation of the glory of God in the temple of their bodies.
Every truly born again believer understands this truth: there is not a place where any man can ever be anything; it is in the death, the union and the likeness of Christ that He becomes all in all. The believer must become servant of all, even as Jesus came to serve and give His life a ransom for many; having a deep love for God and mankind.
The fruit of the Spirit must be evident in the life of the believer. True faith worketh by love which gives birth to obedience. Jesus sought no reputation, but he humbled himself unto the death of the cross. Jesus turned to the multitude that followed him and said, “if any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow after me, he that does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 9:23) (Luke 14:25-27) (Matt 10:38).
We have been called unto holiness, to put off the old man and put on the new man through worship. Many that come to Jesus on that Day will not be found worthy to enter in, and therefore will not have been true disciples of Jesus.
It will be recognised on that Day, that many hands are not found clean and hearts are not pure in his sight. Only those who have submitted to the whole council of God will enter into eternal glory. Those who add to the Word of God and take away from it will have to answer for every idle word spoken. Jesus never spoke an idle word in his ministry.
No cross, no crown of glory reserved in heaven for you. God has no room in His kingdom for lukewarmness (Rev 3: 16). If we are convicted, there is always the place of repentance and acceptance. Let us not be found guilty of trampling underfoot the body and blood of the Lord on that Day, by neglecting so great a salvation (Hebrews 10: 29).
Humility means to be subject to Christ Jesus in all things, so that we are not disobedient to the heavenly vision. The Lord wants to minister through our vessels in the power of his love, he looks for availability. He does not want a heart that is partially open to him, but one that is fully open to his Holy Spirit.
PRAYING AND GROWING DAILY THROUGH HIS SPIRIT
The truly born-again believer spends much time in the prayer closet doing spiritual warfare. All our victories are won in the prayer closet before we go into battle. Prayer constantly links us to our lovely God, our abounding God who is touched with the feelings of our weaknesses; it is a place where all our needs are met in Christ Jesus.
Here is the criterion for living a successful Christian life: getting alone with God each day and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister to us through Jesus. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
This is what is meant by stirring up the gift of God that is within you daily, so that you can say with absolute confidence, “greater is he that is within me than he that is in the world” (1John 4:4). The prince of the power of the air now works in the children of disobedience, but the Holy Spirit works righteousness within us, mortifying the deeds of the flesh daily and bringing forth much fruit unto eternal life.
The anointing stops satanic forces, releases the oppressed, strengthens the helpless and as we get to know the Son of God we will never be weak any more. The Lord is the strength of the believer’s heart and their portion forever.
Take the battle to Satan in the name of Jesus and he will flee from you. Shout in the face of the devil that Jesus is Lord of your life. Know who you are in Christ, as perfect love casts out all fear. Let everything be fortified by prayer and supplication unto God.
Remember there are a great number of things in scripture we can quote, without possessing the essential reality of them such as: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We must die daily and this can only come about through a continual hunger and thirst after God and his righteousness.
God is dissatisfied with stationary conditions within the life. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5: 6). Jesus said “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6: 35). As we come to the fountain of living waters to drink; the river of life will flow through us with power mortifying the flesh and keeping it on the cross daily.
The spiritual nails are kept in place, piercing the wrists and ankles through love and devotion. Read John 7:37-39 where Jesus states clearly here, that believers will have rivers of living water flowing out of them. The prayer closet is the making of the man, where he prays to the Father in secret and the Father who sees in secret will reward him openly.
The importance of prayer in the spiritual realm against principalities and powers of evil cannot be underestimated or over emphasised; it is essential to the health and wellbeing of the believer, being a vital breath.
In the prayer closet we exercise our spiritual authority in the name of Jesus; in order to have a conscience void of offence towards God and man. We are part of the royal priesthood through the blood of Christ and we must exercise ourselves unto godliness in the spiritual realm and having done our duty, still say we are unprofitable servants, for we have done that which was our duty to do.
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12: 11). Jesus said to his parents, “how is it that you did not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). We must also follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
The heavenly calling and the vision should stay strong throughout the believer’s life. Paul wrote of himself, “always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:10), but all believers are called to live and walk by the same rule, being filled with the Spirit each day (Rom 8:13-14).
Spiritual growth requires diligence and a life time of love and devotion to Christ. There is no standing still in this Christian life. Praying in the Holy Spirit every day is a necessity, for it turns over the soil of our hearts keeping them fertile for the Word of God. As we exercise ourselves unto godliness, the soil of our heart is kept clear of thorns and thistles which would hinder spiritual growth. Keep a short account each day. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1: 9)
If the motive of our heart is pure, then we have fallen in love with Jesus and His ministry. We are to walk in newness of life having yielded to the plan of God, which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Our lamps must be trimmed and burning. This means we are to walk in the ministry of Jesus. Keep yourselves in the love of God. If you are not caught up with Jesus and his love now, you will not be ready to be caught up when he returns.
Taken from Life On The Altar Publication
Issue 7 Winter 2022/2023
LIFE ON THE ALTAR 