Walking in the Spirit
Jesus is our model and pattern for New Covenant Christian living. He lived in a flow of revelation from His heavenly Father. He did not do or say anything His Father was not doing or saying. He was constantly discerning and responding to spiritual movement in the heavenly realms.
John 5:19 (NIV) “Jesus gave them this answer; ‘Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
John 12:49 (NIV) “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.”
Because Jesus lives in us, we are able to experience heaven like He did while He was physically on earth. The mind of Christ in us allows us access to the unending stream of revelation flowing from the Father’s heart. This river of revelation enables and empowers a lifestyle and spirituality that radiates the message of the gospel. This lifestyle is an open window through which the glory of heaven flows into the earthly realm. It allows Jesus to continue His ministry on earth by advancing His kingdom through us. The apostle Paul referred to this new lifestyle in Christ as “walking in the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:16, 24-25 (NASB) “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh...Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
To “walk in the Spirit” is to be keenly aware of God’s presence in every moment of our lives. This awareness is facilitated by the Spirit of God acting upon the human mind. We are never left to think, speak, or act on our own because the indwelling Christ is always with us by His Spirit. As we walk with Him, the Holy Spirit will guide us in all matters of life, from the mundane to the miraculous.
John 16:13-15 (NIV) “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
This passage teaches us about the revelatory function of the Holy Spirit, who lives in us. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. Truth is a Person, not an abstract concept. The Holy Spirit leads us deeper into an experience of Christ, not just an intellectual understanding of God. He empowers us with revelation from heaven in order that Jesus be glorified in our experiences and circumstances.
The Holy Spirit speaks to us what He hears from the Father, but also promises to reveal “what is yet to come.” God lives outside of time, and history’s entire story has already been authored by Him. The revelation He gives is not limited to the confines of time. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus by revealing to us the things of Jesus. What are the “things of Jesus?” All things of heaven and earth - past, present, and future - which have been given to Jesus by the Father. Jesus has promised the Holy Spirit will teach us about these things.
John 14:26 (NIV) “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
These “things” are not just religious rules or facts about the Bible, but the very thoughts of God. The Holy Spirit gives us access to the same Jesus who walked the earth two thousand years ago. Jesus is involved in every moment of our lives. We are able to talk with Him and ask Him questions. We are able to do life with Him. Jesus even told His disciples it would benefit them that He leave so the Holy Spirit could come to them.
John 16:7-8 (NIV) “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
The Holy Spirit gives every believer equal access to Jesus. He is operating through a new body, the Body of Christ. Every believer has access total access to His voice. Our access allows us to partner with Jesus in the releasing of heaven on earth.
