Well yeah – we have to move. Maybe not geographically, but when we become a Christian it says that we become a new creation. That old things are passed away, and all things have become new (2Corinthians 5:17). We do move from death to life – from law to grace – from living in the flesh to living in the spirit. So…
That last one… moving from living in the flesh to living in the spirit. How in the world do we do that? Simple answer: We can’t do it on our own. No more than we could have brought ourselves from death to life, or out from living under rules of law into grace. Regardless, we definitely DO want to do it because the Word says in Galatians 5:16: “But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”
But again, HOW? The author, Gene Edwards, shares some insight in his 1989 book “The Highest Life.” He talks about living in a different “habitat” as new creations in Christ now being indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
In our OLD life we lived more in the place of:
(1) Intellect (2) Willpower and (3) Emotions.
In our NEW life we must live more in the space of:
(1) Revelation (2) Perception and (3) Intuition.
Thanks Gene… now back to the blog.
All six of the items above are just facts of our existence. Edwards merely speaks to the areas where we need to live, to live most effectively as the new spiritual creations we, in fact, have become.
OLD life – we lived more in the place of:
- INTELLECT: Yeah, G_d gave us a brain. Great gift. And it is often pretty useful. But, it is simply a fallen piece of flesh. It cannot always be trusted. It can be mis-programmed and it can be injured. Intellect is very important. It is one of the most powerful weapons against the temporal problems of living in this world. Regardless, at its root, intellect is just computing power – and the old adage: “Garbage in, garbage out” still totally applies.
- WILLPOWER: Another wonderful aspect of our bodies and souls. We were made to will. It is mostly our will to do good – BUT like Romans 7:19 says: “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” This is a major problem. Willpower is great for survival situations, or waiting in line for tickets, but it really falls short when it comes to living right before God. Quite simply, it does not work.
- EMOTIONS: Emotions are fantastic. Really. Even the most painful emotions let us know we are alive. Life without emotion is pretty bad. I’ve been there. It’s really flat. Again though, there is a problem. Emotions are generated out of our physical minds and bodies. They are mostly psychological and physiological phenomena. And while they serve as decent indicators and warning lights on the dashboard of our lives, they – like our brain – cannot always be trusted. There are just too many things that mess up “accurate” emoting. If we get tired, alone, disoriented, injured, sick or just plain hungry, our emotions can quickly give false readings. If we live life by feelings from emotion, we are looking for trouble.
There is a better way. Read on believer.
NEW life – we must live more in the space of:
- REVELATION: The Word of God. His laws of Physics. His Creation. The good stuff. God gives Truth, structure, how-things-work, and what-to-do through revelation.
- PERCEPTION: Not how I see things, but rather how HE sees things. In light of revelation, we begin to see the universe and people the way G_d see things. As we give our lives over to Him, He transforms us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We begin to make associations, inferences, and decisions based on His views.
- INTUITION: Oh boy, I can hear it now! Scot’s just going back to living by feelings now! Sort of, but not really. I’m talking about that part of us which is much deeper that just emotion, or even “gut instinct.” I’m saying that, if we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, looking to His revelation, and allowing ourselves to see things G_d’s way, then our deep intuition is simply going to start making sense. We will begin to KNOW what to do in life. The still small voice of His Presence in our lives can be heard. And we know it (really, we always have as believers – haven’t we?). We only need ask Him for the courage to yield to it. And then, for the desire and willingness to obey. Proverbs 3:5,6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Notice the difference between the two? It’s about the source and direction of powerflow in our lives. Watchman Nee said “We have spoken of trying and trusting, and the difference between the two. Believe me, it is the difference between heaven and hell.” If we try to walk in the spirit in our own power, based on our brain, will, and feelings, we will simply fail, try harder, fail again and fall. BUT, if we trust G_d to reveal the way, show us how to see, and listen to His voice we can only have absolute, overwhelming victory in life. His Grace assures it! 2Corinthians 9:8 (The Message) says: God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready for what needs to be done.
