6/01/2004 05:59:03 AM|||Laura|||Don't think I haven't opened my bible since Friday - it's just that I haven't had time to write about it. I've been thinking about what it's going to take to refrain from having a cattitude. There's nothing in me that wants to pursue holiness - that's Christ in me. I did read the bible over the weekend, and went to church Sunday, but I'm finding that purposefully reading it and writing notes like these makes all the difference. My kitchen faucet vs. Niagara Falls. So what is it going to take to maintain this? I'm breaking no new theological ground here [grin] but repeating back what I have been told by Christians wiser than me. Walk in the Spirit. Ask for the Holy Spirit to continually fill you and lead you. Mortify the flesh. (Gotta remember to get the tape series on that...) But constant review is what always got me an A on the test, so it behooves me now to remember what I know is true.Rom 8:12-14 Therefore, brothers, we are not debtors to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die. But if you through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
From Strongs - Mortify: thanatoō
than-at-o'-o
From G2288; to kill (literally or figuratively): - become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify.
Putting to death the sin in my body? Can't manage that one on my own, no sir... luckily I don't have to.Col 3:2-7 Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory. So put to death your worldly impulses: sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry) on account of which things' sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience, among whom you also once walked, when you lived in these.
I HAVE DIED, and I am commanded to put to death my worldly impulses. Until I get the tape series from Lakeview, I'm taking this to mean that the work is done, and I just need to maintain the status quo, with the help of the Spirit. But if the mortification of sin tapes say different, be sure I'll have notes on that too...Gal 5:16 I say, then, Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? In the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, walk is defined this way:Walk
wôk (peripateín): Aside from its frequent occurrence in the usual sense, the word “walk” is used figuratively of conduct and of spiritual states. (1) Observance of laws or customs: “Thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs” (Act_21:21). (2) Of the spiritual life: “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1Jo_1:7); “That like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life” (Rom_6:4); “Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal_5:16); “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2Co_5:7).
and in Strongs like this: peripateō
per-ee-pat-eh'-o
From G4012 and G3961; to tread all around, that is, walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary): - go, be occupied with, walk (about).
Walking defined as observance, deportment, and following makes a lot of sense. Following what or whom? I'll be led by the Spirit. From Romans 8:14, "led by the Spirit" where led is:agō
ag'-o
A primary verb; properly to lead; by implication to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specifically) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce: - be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.
The Spirit is doing the work of breaking the trail. All I have to do is be alert and observe where He goes. Watch out, y'all. Dead woman walking!|||108609837546286098|||Dead Woman Walking