| Choosing
the Higher Realm of Spiritual Life
Wade
E Taylor
I
am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but
Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave
Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
There
is a process that we must go through in order to make this higher
realm of identity with our Lord a personal reality.
This is the end-time witness that will greatly affect
the world - Jesus will become the manifest head of His Body, which
(body)
will have become so transparent, that only He will be seen.
But
you shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon
you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8
In
the original, the word translated witness is martyr. This means that I am to die to my self-life
and its expression, to become the expression of the life and word
of the Lord. Thus,
I witness to Him, not of, or for, Him. As I come into a personal relationship
with Him, and become one with Him in intent and purpose, His life
is reflected through my life.
We
are, by divine design in our creative makeup, capable of becoming
this witness.
So
God created man in His own
image. Genesis 1:27a
Through
mans transgression, this image (our
spirit)
was lost. In redemption
it is restored, but must be developed (we
grow into spiritual maturity).
For
whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to
be
conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:29a
The
words to be conformed tells us that this is a process,
to which we must submit ourselves.
Elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification
of the Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus
Christ. I Peter 1:2a
Elect
... to obedience, tells us that this relates to our being predestinated
to be conformed to His image (spiritual
maturity). When we come short of this, we are forgiven
through the blood of Jesus, and we can again move forward, toward
the goal.
Not
that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press
on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also
laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward
the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if
in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to
you.
Nevertheless,
to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:12-16 NKJ
Not
all Christians will respond to this opportunity to press toward
the mark for the high calling of God.
This is conditional.
Thus, as we continue to press, or rise above all
opposition, we become an overcomer.
To
him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even
as I also overcame and am set down with My Father in His throne. Revelation 3:20
For
many are called, but few are
chosen. Matthew 22:14
Notice
that man was formed of dust.
Had he been formed of clay, his creation would be
more understandable, as dry dust cannot be molded. The natural man would like to think that
God took clay and molded him, complete and independent within himself.
And
the Lord God formed man of
the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath
of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
Man
was created to live on two levels of life, the earthly, and the
heavenly. Therefore, the Lord breathed into Adam
the breath of lives.
This word is plural in the original.
He was formed (soul)
and then breathed into (spirit).
Because
man was created to be "dependent" (dust),
he was placed in a probationary environment.
And
the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden
you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof
you shall surely die. Genesis 2:16-17
Adam
could not be dependent, unless he also had the opportunity
to become independent.
By abiding in a dependent state, his spirit could continue
to commune with the Lord, which was the intention and desire of
the Lord.
And
they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in
the cool of the day. Genesis 3:8
When
Adam partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the
part of Adam, which was spirit, died.
And
Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord
God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8b
Without
this impartation of spirit that had been breathed into
him, man is but dust (soul)
and cannot rightly cleave to anyone or to anything, nor
is he able to enter into the purpose for which he had been created,
apart from a redemptive act by his Creator.
The
natural man acts as he does because he cannot cleave. There is something that must be added
to him so he can function in the purpose for which he had been created.
Through redemption, the Lord must breathe spirit
into him.
And
when He had said this, He breathed on them,
and says to them, Receive you the Holy Spirit. John 20:22
When
we repent and receive Jesus as our personal Savior, that which Adam
lost (spirit)
is restored, and begins to function within us.
That
which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said to you, You must
be born again. John 3:6-7
As
newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may
grow thereby. I Peter 2:2
As
a spiritual baby, this restored part of our being (spirit)
must be developed. After
our new birth through redemption, there is a new consciousness
of these two realms within our being: the earthly (soul
realm),
and the heavenly (spirit
realm). The first relates to our natural life.
And
as we have borne the image of the earthly ... I Corinthians 15:49a
This
is essential. For us
to live in, and communicate with our environment, we must have a
means whereby we are compatible with the earth realm.
We put a seed in the ground and cover it over. It grows, and then we pick it, put some
salt on it and eat it. We
may not understand how brown soil can produce red tomatoes, white
onions and green peas, but we must partake of these to receive nourishment,
because we are of the earth.
We
easily relate to, and function in the earth realm, which
is the place of our natural environment and life.
But there is more, as our creation did not end with our identity
with the earth realm of existence.
The breath of lives (earthly
- soul life, and, heavenly - spirit life)
had been breathed into man.
We
shall also bear the image of the heavenly. I Corinthians 15:49b
We
were created to also function in the spirit realm. But, there is an active enemy who ever
seeks to keep us earth bound - living in the soul realm. Therefore, we must come into a measure
of dependent identity with the Lord, in order to function
in this heavenly realm, in which there is available to us, ever
increasing levels of relationship with the Lord.
And
has raised us
up together, and made us
sit together in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6
Man
was created soul and spirit so he could live and
function in both the natural and the spiritual
levels of life. The Lord had a purpose in mind, so He
placed within man a capacity for his development and growth,
in each of these different realms.
We
relate to, and communicate with our earthly environment through
five senses (taste,
touch, sight, hearing, smell). These natural senses operate
in the earthly realm of both the natural (earthly)
and the redeemed (spiritual)
man. We differ in our
soul life both in personality and in potential.
Many are born with natural gifts, such as a special ability
in art or music. Those
who have these gifts should be encouraged in their development.
But
there is a higher order of life available to the redeemed. In redemption, we are given spiritual
senses. These spiritual
senses are a counterpart of our five natural senses
and are just as real as natural taste, smell, or sight, and operate
only in those who are redeemed.
In
whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through
the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22
This
is a marvelous thing - the finite (man)
can relate to and commune with the infinite (God)
in the heavenly realms. And,
we can become the visible expression of the life and ministry
of the corporate Jesus, as the last three and one-half
years of His ministry is fulfilled, in the establishing of the Millennial
Kingdom of God.
Now
concerning spiritual gifts,
brethren, I would not have you ignorant. I Corinthians 12:1
The
word gifts is in italics because it is not in the original
inspired text. Thus,
this verse relates to our being able to function in that which is
spiritual (concerning
spirituals ... I would not have you ignorant).
Our
spirit is recreated through a new birth in which these
spiritual senses are restored and begin to develop.
It is very important that we spend quality time waiting
upon the Lord in order to develop our ability to sense
(spirit),
or feel (soul)
His presence, and hear His voice, deep within us.
While
we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which
are not seen: for the things which are seen are
temporal; but the things which are not seen are
eternal. II Corinthians 4:18
A
natural (not
redeemed)
person can only relate to the earthly realm, but a spiritual
(born
again)
person can function in both the earthly and heavenly realms. The spiritual person also has gifts or
abilities in his new creation makeup. These are counterparts of natural gifts
and abilities. These
also should be cultivated and developed, as the Lord has an intended
purpose and use for them.
And
God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and
let them have dominion. Genesis 1:26
There
are three areas in which the Lord intends us to develop and function
- the image and likeness of God and then dominion. A proper response to image (created
natural and spiritual potential)
and likeness (developed
natural and spiritual capacity and abilities),
will result in our being able to exercise dominion (spiritual
authority, which is the result of a process of testing and spiritual
growth).
Man
was created with the potential, or ability to function
in both the natural and spiritual realms of life experience, but
his spiritual life and function was lost in Adams transgression.
Only in redemption is this restored. Then, as we respond in obedience to the
workings of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual sensitivity and the deposit
of spiritual life within us (divine
substance)
is enlarged.
I
love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find
Me.... that I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance;
and I will fill their treasures. Proverbs 8:17, 21
The
Word says that we have the mind of Christ (the
ability to relate to the thought and intent of the Lord). We were not born with this ability, but
as we wait upon the Lord in His presence, we are partaking
of new creation life, which results in our understanding that which
is spiritual.
And
my speech and my preaching was
not with enticing words of mans wisdom, but in demonstration
of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in
the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. However we speak wisdom
among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world,
nor of the princes of this world, that comes to nothing: But we
speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even
the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world to our
glory.
Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye has not seen,
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the
things which God has prepared for them that love Him. But God
hath revealed them
to us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea,
the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man,
save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of
God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now
we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely
given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words
which mans wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches;
comparing spiritual things with spiritual. I Corinthians 2:4-13
These
spiritual senses are further developed and matured through our obedience
to a process of testing, which is designed to draw us up
into a higher realm of spiritual awareness, understanding, and experience.
As
the Lord tested Adam by placing the tree of life and the
tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the midst
of the garden, we also must face a process in which we are tested
to determine the outworking of the Lord's purpose for us.
Therefore, these two trees are placed in the pattern
of each of our lives. The tree of life (spirit)
represents our utter dependence upon, and trust in, the outworking
of His purpose and provision for us.
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil (soul)
represents our desire to be independent and choose for ourselves
what is right or wrong.
And
when the woman saw
that the tree was
good for food and that it was
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one
wise,
she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto
her husband with her; and he did eat. Genesis 3:6
This
tree appealed to every aspect of mans soul, but the Lord had said
no, and established a penalty for disobedience.
And
the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden
you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof
you shall surely die. Genesis 2:16-17
Isaiah
53 gives us a prophetic picture of Jesus, and also a description
of the tree of life. By
changing one word, this description of Jesus can be seen as being
a type of the tree of life.
Thus, it can be said that Jesus is the tree of life.
Therefore, He told us that we are to eat His flesh
and drink His blood, just as Adam was told that he was
to partake of the tree of life.
For
He (it)
shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out
of a dry ground: He (it)
has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him (it)
there
is
no beauty that we should desire Him (it). Isaiah 53:2 (comments
added)
The
tree of life was as a root out of a dry ground. The other was a tree with beautiful, luscious
fruit in full color. The
enemy was there, saying, Has God said?
Does He really want to take all this away from you? Does He want to deprive you? Would God really do that to you?
It appears that the Lord has made it easy for us to make
the wrong choice at this point, because He is looking for those
who desire His presence and Glory more than they desire
their own self-centered soul satisfaction.
Therefore,
we must make a choice concerning these opposite pulls upon our being. We can choose to satisfy our soulish,
sensual desires, as expressed in the tree of the knowledge of good
and evil; or we can choose the higher realm of spirituality, as
expressed in the tree of life (over-comer). If we think more of these sensual desires
than our spiritual desires, and then choose to satisfy them, our
spirituality will progressively suffer loss until we no longer have
spiritual perception, and we will die spiritually.
Because
the Lord has given man so much, there is a severe penalty if he
makes the wrong choice.
But
of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat
of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die. Genesis 2:17
Adam
failed and died, as the Lord had said. This affected his ability to stand in
the presence of God.
And
the Lord God called to Adam, and said to him, Where are
you? And he said, I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was
afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. Genesis 3:9-10
Adam
being naked had nothing to do with clothes, but with the
loss of the covering of Shekinah.
When Adam lost this covering of Shekinah, he could
no longer enter the presence of the Lord to commune with
Him, but instead, was convicted by His presence, and hid
from it. Shekinah,
speaks of the glory of the Lord in relation to man; it is the covering
that allows us to come into and abide in His manifest presence.
As
a result of his transgression, the Shekinah that had been upon Adam
as a covering, was now external, apart from him. As a flaming sword before the tree of
life, the Shekinah has become an enemy to keep
him from the spiritual life that he had once enjoyed, and could
have maintained by partaking of the tree of life.
To
Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins,
and clothed them. Genesis 3:21
The
Lord took an animal, slew it, and covered Adam with its skin. This involved the shedding of blood as
a type of redemption. Now,
Adam was covered and brought back into the possibility
of relationship. This covering was a substitute
for the Shekinah that had been lost, and gave Adam acceptance, but
man was still prevented from coming back into the realm of spiritual
life that he had once known.
So
He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden
of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way,
to keep the way of the tree of life. Genesis 3:24
Jesus
died on Calvarys cross to become our covering for sin. But there is more in our redemption.
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus demonstrated that
the Shekinah had been embodied within Him, but was not available
to us. Now, in His
resurrection and ascension, the Shekinah is again openly upon
Him. The veil has been
rent and a way has been made for us to enter into identification
with Jesus in His abiding Shekinah Glory.
The flaming sword is no longer a hindrance to our
experiencing His manifest glory.
We
can continue to abide in the covering for sin that Jesus
provided through His shed blood upon the cross, receiving His forgiveness,
but never coming back to the place that Adam (we) lost - that of
being clothed upon with His Glory, and having our spiritual
senses quickened.
The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know
what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory
of His inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18
When
the Lord came to walk with Adam in the cool of the day, Adam hid
from His presence. Then
the Lord said, Adam, where are you?
Adam answered this question and talked with the Lord.
Notice
that we can commune with the Lord in the realm of our soul and never
come back to the place of full and open fellowship with Him.
Many
are satisfied with only the redemptive covering that has been provided
for them through the atonement of Jesus on the cross, and they feel
comfortable to stay there.
However, the Lord greatly desires us to come beyond this,
and experience the full redemption of all that had been
lost.
Then
said Jesus to His disciples, If any man
will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow Me. Matthew 16:24
Just
as Adam, through disobedience lost his spirit life; we
must, through obedience, die to our soul life.
This includes not only the provision of a covering for our
sin, but also, the restoration of the original covering of the Shekinah,
which will enable us to experience His abiding, manifest presence
(visible
glory).
Our
spiritual senses only function as they are quickened, or sensitized
in His presence. Their
development must be cultivated, and this takes time.
While experiencing a time of communion with our Lord in His
manifest presence, or when we respond and enter into a moving
(quickening
presence)
of the Holy Spirit, our spiritual senses develop and function. These responses to His presence are far
more important than most realize.
The
Lord is looking for those who desire a full restoration
of all that was lost. We
have experienced forgiveness, but this must give way to the greater
victory of an active life in the Spirit.
Especially at this present time, the Lord is restoring His
Glory to His people. He greatly desires to demonstrate this
through the lives of an overcoming people who have chosen the higher
realm of spiritual life - those who have died to their self-life
and refuse to respond to the pull of their soul.
These
will walk with Him in the restored covering of His Shekinah
Glory and will witness His manifest presence and power to the
world in these last days, as Jesus expresses His life through them.
Arise,
shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen
upon you. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and
gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon you,
and His glory shall be seen upon you. And the Gentiles shall come
to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3
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