Life in the Spirit

Life in the Spirit – Transforming Us into the Image of God

There comes a time in the life of every believer where they reach a crossroad. They will have to make a choice. The options will be to choose a way of life in the World or choose a way of life in the Spirit. What they choose has nothing to do with their salvation but has everything to do with their spiritual growth and their ability to serve God.

The sad thing is that few Christians are even aware of these options and give no thought to living or not living a Spirit led life. Their salvation is intact. They may (or may) attend church on a regular basis, pray on a regular basis or invest money and time in spiritual materials, spiritual music and spiritual conferences. Yet, they have unknowingly chosen the way of the World. How so? Those who have chosen a way of life in the World are primarily concerned about how to manipulate God and how to get God to bless them materially or physically. Because their minds remain dull, they are not concerned about getting to know God, or how to develop a deep intimate relationship with God, or how to be transformed into his likeness.

2 Corinthians 3:14-18

But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Note Worthy Reflections in 2 Corinthians 3:14-18:

1. When Paul said “Now the Lord is the Spirit” he was actually affirming that Christ and the Holy Spirit are one in essence.

2. When we turn to Christ he prepares our hearts to be “transformed into his likeness”.

3. Our transformation is a process that happens on this side of eternity. This isn’t the change that will happen in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye – when Christ returns and we experience our ultimate victory (1 Corinthians 15:52). This is the type of transforming that happens when we stopped conforming to the patterns of this world and allow our minds to be renewed (Romans 12:2).

When We Accepted Christ…

God anointed us when we accepted Christ for salvation. When he anointed us he set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Spirit that we are given is God’s Spirit, which is Christ’s Spirit, which is the Holy Spirit - they are all one in the same. (“Now the Lord is the Spirit” 2 Corinthians 3:17.)

John 14:16-20

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

Note Worthy Reflections in John 14:16-20:

1. “Another Counselor” doesn’t refer to a different kind of helper… Jesus was saying that he’d send another of the same kind of helper. Jesus had been with his disciples for three years. During his time with them Jesus taught them how to be like he was, to serve like he served, to love like he loved, to submit like he submitted – all for the glory of God (John 14:12). One of the purposes of the Holy Spirit was to continue teaching where Jesus left off - so there would be a continuation of their being disciple and transformed into his likeness.

2. Jesus said that he would not leave them, he would come to them. We know that this happened on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), when Jesus come to them in Spirit form.

3. Jesus said that he would not leave them as orphans, which is to say that he would not leave them fatherless. Think of all the roles that a father (especially our Father in Heaven) provides. Jesus said that he would not leave us as orphans, we would not be fatherless.

So, now that we know that we are able to be transformed, that we have a choice in the matter, how do we start the process? Well, this is a trick question. We don’t start the process, we submit to the process. God wants to produce qualities in us we cannot develop on our own. Submitting to the Holy Spirit allows Christ to transform us. This is a process of letting the Spirit (Christ, God) exercise himself in us and through us.

For example… Galatians 5:22-23 makes reference to the “fruit of the Spirit” which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This isn’t “our fruit”, this is the Spirit’s fruit. We can’t produce this fruit by trying harder to be more loving or joyful, etc. We produce this fruit by surrendering to the Spirit, allowing Christ to live, speak and work through us – which requires being in constant communication with Christ. Jesus said it best himself (John 15:1-8).

John 15:1-8

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Christ wants us to bear much fruit, to show ourselves to be his disciples (to be like him). However, none of us can do this on our own – it’s an impossible burden, we’d fail miserably and end up questioning our salvation. That’s one of the reasons that we are given the Holy Spirit to be in us and with us. We can’t just try to be better people, but we can allow ourselves to be transformed by simply submitting to the Spirit, seeking God in prayer and through his word and obeying what we read and what he speaks into our heart.

Choosing a Way of Life in the Spirit

Remember that Jesus had been with his disciples for three years. During his time with them he taught them how to be like he was – to live a Spirit led life, to serve like he served, to love like he loved, to submit like he submitted – all for the glory of God (John 14:12). Jesus had gave his disciples his Spirit to continue teaching where Jesus left off (so there would be a continuation of their being disciple and transformed into his likeness).

To lead a Spirit led life you’ll have to allow yourself to be trained (taught, counseled) in the same way and by the same teacher that taught the first disciples. The first 12 disciples lived with Jesus. They were in contact with him daily - not just once a week (on Sundays) and not just for 15 minutes during morning prayer. They were in constant communication and fellowship EVERYDAY. We too have Jesus with us; he’s with us every second of every day.

Suggestions on How to Allow Yourself to be Transformed

· Get to know God. Get to know him personally through reading and meditation on his word. This isn’t just attending Bible Study, it’s taking time out to sit quietly reading his scriptures and thinking about what you read. Perhaps start with the Gospel of John and read a chapter (or ½ a chapter a day) and prayfully reflect o what you’ve read and ask Jesus to help you understand the more challenging passages.

· Fellowship! Not just with other believers, but fellowship with God. Not just by going to him when in need but spending time talking to him (and listening to him). Imagine Jesus with his disciples, kicking back and enjoying one another’s company.
How often during the day do you text, call, chat or share exciting news, thoughts, concerns with a close friend or loved one? Why not do so with Jesus? You can converse with him 24/7 and sometimes he answers back!