Time for the final and most important exercise in your Spiritual Shape Up. Everything learned so far means nothing until applying this final key. It is the secret to unleash all the treasures, promises and power of God’s Kingdom.
Get ready for it:
The whole entire focus of Kingdom of God is LOVE.
God is love (I John 4:8). Since we were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), the image we were created in is love. That image was corrupted by Satan in the Garden of Eden, and one of the many things Jesus accomplished on the cross was to restore us again to that image of love.
Love is the greatest force in the universe. Everything Godly is based in love, and everything Satan does – or tries to get you to do – is an attempt to keep you away from love. There are no exceptions.
In order for you to live your your purpose in God’s kingdom, you must walk in love. Everything about the Kingdom focuses on laying down your own life and esteeming others higher than yourself. Since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, humans lost the essence of love because it is found only in God. Separation from God meant separation from the source of being able to love.
The Holy Spirit
As soon as Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, the Holy Spirit was sent to man. Any time the Holy Spirit works in you, He leads you to forsake your own pride, desires, and rights so that you can love and serve others. Never will the Holy Spirit lead you to lift yourself up, prove yourself, or help you get your fair share, because whenever you do these things, you judge yourself more important than someone else, and that is the opposite of love (so it is Satan’s work).
Gifts of the Spirit
When God sent the Holy Spirit to mankind after Jesus’ ascension, He sent Him bearing gifts. We learn about these gifts in the Book of Galatians.
But the fruit of the Spirit is
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love,
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joy,
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peace,
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patience,
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kindness,
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goodness,
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faithfulness,
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gentleness,
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self-control; Galatians 5:22-23
Take note! Any time you see a list in the Bible, pay close attention because everything is in perfect order. Nothing is random. This list is no exception. That would indicate that the first item listed here would be of utmost importance. And what is the first item listed?
Love.
Love is the first tremendously important gift, because without it you cannot get to any of the subsequent gifts. If you are lacking joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control, it is because you have not yet accepted the first gift and begun to walk in it.
The New Self
Paul tells us in scripture that there is an old self and a new self.
…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,… and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22, 24
…seeing that you have put off the old self[ with its practices and have put on the new self,
Colossians 3:9-10
Notice Ephesians says the new self is:
- created after the likeness of God
- in true righteousness and holiness
Summed up in one word, that means the new self is love. The main difference between the old self and the new self is this:
- the old self is void of love
- the new self is rooted in love
Getting a “new self” from the Lord has one purpose – to reveal Who our creator is. God is Spirit, therefore God cannot physically manifest love, so He created you and I to be the physical manifestation of love, (Who He is).
Your purpose in this world is to walk as Jesus walked and let your life reveal Who your God is. Once you realize that life is not about your feelings, your opinions, your rights or your wants, you will be on your way to putting on your “new self” made in the likeness of God. At that point, you become a mighty warrior God can use for Kingdom work and obtain the victory and freedom in Christ Jesus you have been looking for!
Yes, it is in love that you will find the power of God, the promises of God and the sabbath rest He promises to those Who believe. It is in laying down your life that you find true abundant life. It is in loving others that the Holy Spirit can do His work through your life. And there is no greater joy than to be used by Him in His Kingdom
Your Assignments
1) Read Luke 6:27-29. Consider closely every command Jesus gives in this passage. Why do you think Jesus commands such things?
2) Continue reading in Luke 6 verses 32-36. Notice how Jesus summarizes the passage. Do you see how it all comes back to our lives being an image of God?
3) Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. In this list of amazing spiritual accomplishments, what is the one thing that is greater? What does it say would make these amazing spiritual accomplishments worthless?
4) Read Colossians 3:12-14. Here we see another list – this time of spiritual maturity. What does this passage tell us to do above all? What then is most important to our spiritual maturity?
This concludes your Spiritual Shape Up! Continue all of these exercises for strength in the Kingdom of God and maturity in Jesus Christ! Comment below to share how the Shape Up has effected your life!
Want to take the next step? This series has been short synopsis of the book Becoming a Powerful Christian, 7 Secrets to a Life of Miracles and Answered Prayer. To dive deeper into the subject and exercise your spiritual muscles at a stronger level, get your copy today and start digging in! Available on Amazon here.
Also available – Want to prepare your home for the power of God to flow there? Many women have stated they wish Marjorie could simply come spend time in their living rooms and help them get set up for life in the Kingdom. Marjorie found a way to help with her online training course entitled, Welcome to our Home God! Marjorie will walk through your home via 8 video lessons complete with printable worksheets. Learn more here!
Want to review the 5 keys? Click here to return to the beginning of the series
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