There are two areas of success which I would like to address.
Success in walking after the flesh, and success in walking after the Spirit (Gods Spirit)
AFTER THE FLESH
What is it that brings success for people who live after the flesh? Let’s look at people who we consider to be the most successful at living after the flesh.
“They have lots of stuff,” might be an appropriate description of people who do well at living after the flesh (Remember, this is not a discussion on whether or not having a lot of stuff is in Gods will). However, there are many people who are walking after the flesh who do not have lots of stuff, simply because they haven’t been able to gain enough money to buy all that stuff. So perhaps a better description would be, “people who are walking after the flesh, desire to have lots of stuff.”
In reality, even this which I have just written does not completely reveal the depths of walking after the flesh.
To be sure there is no defect in our description of walking in the flesh, we must say that, anything which is not after the Spirit, is after the flesh.
Simply put, people who allow themselves to walk in the flesh, will increase continually in the want department. They will go to great lengths so they can get whatever they want.
The most significant way to get more stuff, is to get more money. If one has all the money they want, they can satisfy their selfish flesh in most any way they want. And yes, the flesh and self are synonymous.
AFTER THE SPIRIT
So then what is it that brings one success at walking after the Spirit? I believe this is a question which every Christian should want to KNOW the answer to. Romans 8:1, says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who WALK not after the flesh, but AFTER THE SPIRIT. If this is not in your Bible let me tell you right now, you need a Bible that has not been corrupted by the removal of half of this verse. Verse 4 of Romans 8 basically says the same thing. And verse 5 says, “For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they who are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
What is it that allows some people to walk after the Spirit? These people also want to get more things. However, the things they are hoping to attain are Spiritual blessings, in one form or another.
For instance:
The desire to read the Bible. To read it with full enjoyment as the Holy Spirit continually reveals the many hidden truths. Studying to show yourself approved, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed.
To not only feel the need to pray, but to feel a deep desire in your heart to pray, praise, talk to, and have continual communion with the Lord.
Loving our neighbor (Romans 13:8-10, 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Galatians 5:13-14) as we knows we should. To live as Christ did when he was on the Earth; easing burdens where and when he could. Always leaving the place where he visited, better than it had been when he arrived.
To have a heartfelt desire to pull souls out of a future Hell which awaits those who do not believe in Redemption through Jesus Christ.
These are some important examples, but there are other things which walking in the Spirit will bring your way. A NEARNESS TO GOD which defies description, for example.
THE QUESTION
The obvious question is, how do we walk in the Spirit in a way to insure this kind of blessing from God? How can anyone be sure that what they are doing in their spiritual life will bring about such benefits? Isn’t our spiritual walk supposed to be up and down, and a constant struggle in order to even partially receive some of these blessings.
Actually, NO.
Just as money is the secret of worldly success, so is, JESUS CHRIST AND WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED ON THE CROSS, the secret of Spiritual success.
But I am saved! I know many of you are thinking, that because you got saved that you should now have what I am speaking of. Actually, this is true, you do have what I’m talking about, if you are saved. However, most are not appropriating what they have. It’s like the person who wants to live after the flesh, having lots of money but not realizing it. As soon as he understands that his mattress is packed with hundred dollar bills, he will start appropriating that money and having all the things and stuff he wants.
How do we appropriate what we have in Christ?
Simple!
Thank Jesus Christ for what he has accomplished on your behalf on the Cross: SEVERAL TIMES EVERYDAY. I cannot accentuate this enough. If you want to have the Holy Spirits help, all day long, and in every thing you do: then give thanks to the Lord for shedding His Blood for you and giving his body on the tree for your sins, CONTINUALLY. Remember, after you are saved, you still need the savior; everyday, and all day. This is why the scripture says, “he every liveth to make intersession for them,” (who believe).
I WAS CRUCIFIED with CHRIST (Gal. 2:20), I WAS BURIED WITH HIM, and I ROSE WITH HIM in newness of life (Rom. 6:4, Gal. 2:20).
That’s it!
This will cause your walk with the Lord to change immensely, as you will at this point be allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life as he desires to do. This is true because the Holy Spirit uses our trust in Christ and what he has accomplished for us as, “the foundation upon which he stands in order to perform ALL of his work in regards to any kind of help which he gives to Christians.
ONE OTHER THING
In order to do this, you will need to Love the Lord with all your heart.
If you do not truly love God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, with all your heart, then you will find it difficult to be thankful continually for what he has done for you. Remember; Love Is A Decision. So, if you desire to walk after the Spirit as the Bible declares you should; you can do so.
