Lee McDowell Christian
Ministries LMCM
Nacogdoches,
Texas Gal. 2:20 KJV
Michael’s book is
available through:
Abiding Life
Ministries International
Littleton, Colorado
(303) 972-0859 almi@abidinglife.com
When our focus is on
the wrong thing, the wrong person, or in the wrong place, all perspective is
out of place. Hence, as Michael points
out in this beautiful dialogue so many Believers are “looking for _______ in
all the wrong places” and living defeated lives. Check it out…think about where you are
“looking”!
DAY 63
Division of Soul and Spirit
For the word of God
is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even
to dividing soul and
spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes
of the heart. --Hebrews 4:12
Many are in the
process of having soul and spirit divided. Life is to be found within the spirit, yet many interpret
quality of life in the spirit by what is happening in the soul. The day Christ entered the
believer's life, He brought along a treasure chest full of all that is needed
for successful living. The chest holds acceptance, love, assurance,
security, commitment, and daily help. This chest, however, lies in the
spirit, though the immature believer continues to look outside of the spirit
for fulfillment. He turns to the soul for completion through the intellect
(if only he can understand how he acts), through a strong will (if he can only
change what he hates and acquire righteousness), or through changing emotions
(if only he could feel loved, accepted, and valued). He looks to the body for
satisfaction in attractiveness. Fulfillment is believed to come through
the accolades of others: children, mates, friends, family, parents, and
co-workers. Titles and vocations promise to fill the emptiness.
If you were God,
what would you do to divide soul and spirit to force the believer to look
deeper and discover all the riches of Christ that dwell within the spirit?
That would be important, for
if the believer could discover that true life is within, then nothing outside
him would be able to destroy him. It does not mean that the believer
would live the life of the unaffected (as a Hindu), but it does mean that the
believer would be able to sing hymns in prison. First, would you not
make all knowledge fail and emotions sink and lose their attractiveness? Second,
would you not allow the will of man to fail him as it loses control in some
area of life? Finally, if you were God, would you not cause both the
world and all those in whom the believer trusts to fail to meet his deepest
needs?
This is the dark
wedge, the sword that God drives between soul and spirit. "The word of God
is living and active, and sharper than a two-edged sword, able to divide soul
and spirit." The
"Word of God," naturally, refers to Jesus. He personally does the work of
dividing, and when
the separation is occurring, many believers despair and consider this
experience to be the most difficult of all; they become frantic, worried,
confused, angry, and bitter as they clamor for the return of happiness in the
flesh.
However, we should be encouraged that it is through this
very experience that we grow to become men and women of faith. The whole
process is called the baptism of fire, whereby the leaven of the past is
totally stopped. [This is in reference to the means of
preserving wine from becoming vinegar in biblical times. Once the wine had
reached its peak fermentation, the entire container was lowered into a fire,
killing any leaven that would continue the fermentation process.] We learn that nothing outside the
spirit can ultimately destroy us. We discover our freedom from all that used to
hold us hostage. We learn how sufficient He is to supply our every need.
And when the process is
completed and we enter into ultimate productivity and true humility, we may
possess nothing outside of the spirit, but neither does anything possess or
hinder us. We now
understand the great emptiness that resulted from seeking life outside the
spirit. Those lesser things we trusted have dried up. Future confrontations by
external adverse circumstances will not stifle and hinder the release of life.
We have walked the path intended for those who would experience the very
deepest work of the Lord. We cannot emphasize enough to others the importance of completing the
course and learning about life in the spirit. We are free, we have found the
life within, we live out of the treasure chest, and we are thankful.
(underlining is my emphasis)
Amazing, isn’t it. Christianity is all about Christ, not
us. When we are born again, we get His
Spirit (old, Adamic spirit is crucified).
Christianity is all about focusing on our new Spirit, not about the soul
(mind, will, and emotions) or the body.
Yet, not only immature believers, but many in church leadership, seminary
professors, etc. focus on everything BUT our Spirit. Passing mention is given, but their real
focus in on everything but our Spirit.
And LIFE is in our Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God.
It is important to see
that Jesus has us in a process (wow!
“baptism of fire”). He is doing
the “dividing,” which is causing much consternation. But, if we will “look to Him” we will find
His peace as He takes us through the process.
Why is it we cannot believe Philippians 1:6?
Spend some time soaking
on Michael’s words, asking the Lord to reveal to you just where He has you in
this “process,” and asking Him for His peace to continue walking with Him till
He completes His “good work” in all particular areas of your life.
And, be greatly
encouraged by Michael’s testimony in the last part of his dialogue!
Yellow – VIP, Very
Important Point Red – GP,
Greatest Promises
Turquoise – UR,
Unfathomable Riches Pink – PV,
Priceless Victory
Lee McDowell Christian
Ministries
P. O. Box 633244 Nacogdoches, Tx 75963 936-559-5696
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