Category: ARTICLE OF THE MONTH

Wade E Taylor

“For it is under His direction that the whole body is perfectly adjusted by each joint that furnishes its supplies. And by the proper functioning of each particular part, there is brought about the growing of the body for its building up in love.”  Ephesians 4:16 Williams

Our spiritual life is far more than the accumulation of information that we gather, such as understanding doctrine and the written Word.  Rather, the “measure” of our spirituality is the result of the accumulation of the decisions that we make during our span of life.  When we stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ, the level of spiritual life to which we have attained (30, 60, or 100 fold) will be compared (measured) against His overcoming life.

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man (spiritually mature), to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:13

Life is never easy; it is a struggle in which we must continually choose what we will do, or which way we will go.  Because of the many desires that we have, along with the responsibilities that have been placed upon us, at times it may be difficult for us to make the right choice.

Wade E Taylor

“Draw me, we will run after You.  The King has brought me into His chambers….”  Song of Solomon 1:4

This verse expresses in two words, a prayer that is vital to our spiritual well-being, “Draw me.”

Following our prayer of desire is a commitment to the Lord that we will indeed respond to Him, as He creates within us a spiritual hunger that will enable us to make this commitment, “We will run after You.”

Finally, “The King has brought me into His chambers” is the marvelous result of the outworking of our prayer of desire, and of the expression of our determination to respond to the Lord.

This essential prayer, “Draw me,” relates to the spiritual hunger that in varying degrees is resident within each of us.  This hunger drive, a powerful basic “urge” that is at the foundation of all our desires, seeks its satisfaction in many ways.

The Lord will enlarge our spiritual capacity, as in faith we look to Him to cause us to become spiritually hungry.  A primary means to accomplish this is to present ourselves before the Lord, and then actively “wait upon Him.”  As we wait, the Lord will work in our behalf and will respond to our desire for increased spiritual hunger and capacity.

Wade E Taylor

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened to ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”  Matthew 25:1-2

When considering this passage of Scripture, we may attempt to identify those who are foolish, rather than looking at ourselves.  The only way we can point a finger at someone is to point three fingers at ourselves.  If we will apply this verse to ourselves, it can be said that each one of us is half-wise and half-foolish.

Thus, we cast the deciding vote as to where we will be found in “that day” – either among those who are wise, or among the foolish.

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes; go you out to meet Him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go you rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”  Matthew 25:5-10

The desire and intention of the Lord is that we will be found among the wise; thus, the exhortation that those who are wise should take “oil” with them (renew their strength).  This oil results from an active on-going devotional life, by which we receive from the Lord a supply of His grace.

Wade E Taylor

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

To “live in the Spirit” is a state of being in which we have died to our self-life and have yielded the totality of all that we are and have to Jesus, so He can live His life through us as a present day witness.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me….”  Galatians 2:20

“I live; yet not I.”  This requires us to live on a high plain of integrity and commitment in order to maintain the necessary spiritual sensitivity that will make this possible.

“If we are living by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us be guided”  Galatians 5:25 BBE

To “walk in the Spirit” is to live one step at a time, with every aspect of our life experience being lived in total yieldedness and willing obedience to the will and purpose of our Lord.

As we walk with the poise of our spirit upward toward the Lord, His abiding presence and peace will confirm that we are walking in the center of His will.