If there is anything that comes through loud and clear in the Gospels and other books of the New Testament, it is that the Holy Spirit was living and active in the lives of the believers, apostles, teachers, evangelists that took the good news to the ends of the world. Many times, Paul appealed to how they had received the Holy Spirit when exhorting his hearers to live lives worthy of their calling as Christians.
The New Testament speaks of gifts of grace (free gifts/charis), gifts of the Spirit, and fruit of the Spirit, and gifts Christ gave to His body the Church - apostles, prophets, pastors/teachers, etc - .for the common good, for edification, for building up the body of Christ.
How do we recover, reclaim, reconcile, and release the Holy Spirit as instruments in His hands?
What ARE you experiencing in/of/from the Holy Spirit?
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Do I currently experience the power of God in the Holy Spirit in my walk? I confess not. My Pastor recently said to the church that it is simply getting back in step with Him. Stumble and fall, just get back up with His help and start walking again. Wander off in the FLESH, confess, repent, and start walking in step with Him.
It sounds great, but I find it so hard to do! I find myself, confessing, repenting (aka turn around and move away from the sin), and falling in the same stinking hole yet again! I do NOT want to make this hole my home!!! I want out, and walking with Him. BANG, I see I am in the same hole again.
That should give us something to talk about here that is Practical!!! How do you be Holy and not in the Hole?
Greg, thanks for engaging. For me, I think you hit the nail on the head. Practical Holiness! Not pie in the sky, mystic ascetecism. I think we begin with an "operational definition" of holiness. What does it mean Biblically? One definition I read was "separate-ness, dedication, and commitment." So, with that as a working definition, how do I separate myself TO GOD, dedicate myself TO GOD, and demonstrate commitment TO GOD? I do performance improvement work for a living and one of the questions I always ask is, "What is the EVIDENCE that you could show to 'convict' you of that performance, i.e. in this case of beingHOLY? Then, how would I need to employ my HEAD (think), HEART (feel/emotion), HANDS (do/work/practice), and FEET (where I go, who I go to, attitude I go in)?
The parallel is what do I NOT think, feel, do, go?
Then, the idea is HOW do I do this/not do that? What does it mean to be FILLED with the Holy Spirit, submissive to His will, and to live that will in practical, visible, demonstratable ways?
No answers yet either. But, would love to discuss with others.
JERRY
Greg Della-Croce said:
First - What evidence would convict me of Holiness. problem number one that puts a lot of weight on the external show of Holiness. Pharisees had that down pat, Jesus blew them away for it. So how do we take the first step while avoiding that error? How do we measure an inward seperation to God (AKA Holiness)??
Shall we start there?
Jerry Linnins said:
Greg, I am not sure I completely agree with your premise that seeking "evidence" equates perfectly with focusing on externals. The Scriptures speak of God, the Holy Spirit, our own conscience bearing witness. And, you are absolutely correct that Christ condemned self-righteousness and mere religious ritual. But, what I am speaking of are the kinds of internal (fruits of the Spirit) and externals (their demonstrations) and the good works we are called by Christ to do. When God called the Israelites out of Egypt, it was to WORSHIP and to SERVE HIM! We, I think are still called to do those (as represented in the two great commandments - Love God, Love your neighbor.
I have just finished reading the book of Acts, the four Gospels, and several of the other New Testament letters. It just seems to me that there is SO much more available to us in Christ through the Holy Spirit.
Greg Della-Croce said:
I just don't want to get in the "I don't" or "I do" traps that are human actions not empowered by that work of the Holy Spirit. It is primary cause of my doing that I want to know that is of God and not of myself, least I be tempted to boost. (sorry my paraphrase of Paul).
I have been reading Ephesians and Galatians and find a lot of warning from and praise to God there.
Again, I am fuzzy on the how of the Holy Spirit's methods to grow us in Love of God, of Neighbor, and the Church.
Ken Mitchell
Greg Della-Croce said:
Again...THANK YOU all for engaging and being my "iron sharpening iron!"
Same with the be attitudes - these are the attitudes we're BECOMING.
I am not there on either yet. But the journey is important to be taken with others!!
Greg
I agree. Thanks for walking with me (or is it me with you?) for awhile. Maybe we will hit a "rest stop" together down the road. :-)
Greg Della-Croce said:
Since we were called to come out from the world to be holy and set apart for God, have we let allurements of the world capture our attention and heart, so that we are no longer wholly consecrated to the Lord? Are we entangled in the world's ways and values? Are we leading lives of simplicity, free from indulgence and excesses? Are we letting greed for more hinder our walk with God? Are we giving in to temptations to indulge the flesh with luxurious living? (Gal 5:17 says the gratification of the flesh and the fullness of the Spirit are contrary to each other). Do we have pride because we see certain truths or are used by God in a special way? Are we neglecting daily prayer and regular thoughtful meditation upon God's Word, or are we letting too many other activities (even Christian duties!) crowd out time with God? Hmmm-- could these things be the answer to why many Christians don't see the power of God working in their lives?
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