The Holy Spirit ultimately functions on a relational level. He communicated to us in many ways including our thoughts, emotions, and even our senses. Although our perception of Him is not correct 100% of the time, we can be trained to discern His voice. This is not something that can be done on your own, so ask God to make it happen in you, then trust that He has and will continue to do so. Spend time with God in quiet place, shout His name, dance for Him, meditate on who He is. Dig into the word so you can begin to recognize His voice when He speaks; and above all, ask the Holy Spirit to give you hunger and dedication to walk with Him day by day.
God wants the secret place to be you favorite place. Just like Jesus did, you ought to long to spend alone time with God; for it is in these times that the Holy Spirit will teach you, give you revelation, comfort you, remind you, and produce His fruit in you. We cannot fully function outside of this intimacy. A branch must always stay attached to the vine for the sap to provide nutrients for fruit to grow. In fact, this is our one job, our one true purpose, and our greatest joy; to be with God. Everything else is produced in us by Him; including effort, hunger, joy, peace, and purpose.
Even though Intimacy with God is the very reason Christ died on the cross it is the thing most lacking in the church today. The words says, "You do not receive because you do not ask." "Therefore acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your path straight." We are also told to, "pray continuously', but this is only possible when we know what it means to 'abide' in Him. When we 'abide in Him and He in us', intimacy is no longer a work or a practice but a continual state of being. We will never be able to enter His rest if we feel like we have to perform to receive it. His rest, peace, joy, purpose, and righteousness, are free gifts of grace given to us through Christ's sacrifice. It is impossible for us to strive to gain something that Has already been given to us freely. We therefore 'take hold' of God's promises by believing that we already have them. Seem impossible to believe that? It is, which is why faith is a gift and not a work. When we are open to the Holy Spirit manifesting in us what we cannot manage to attain, we find freedom from our performance based, guilt ridden mentality towards God.
God wants to take us out of obligation, tradition, and fear, by instilling in us security, love, and passion. God doesn't want our 'lip service', He wants our adoration. We adore and worship what gives us the most pleasure, and God needs to be the greatest source. If He is not, then we have fallen into idolatry. If you don't know if you have an idol just identify what, who, or when you are the most excited and passionate. If you are more passionate about that person, idea, or activity than God, then you are in idolatry. Being excited or passionate about other things is not bad in and of itself, but when if we adore them more than God it becomes a big problem.
Many people fall into idolatry because God isn't as real to them as those other things. Although they try and make room for God in their lives, He becomes a concept rather than a person, and room for His actually intervention is blocked out. These people have a 'from of Godliness but deny its power.' They have ultimately settled for religious form rather than a true relationship with God. Religious form can be identified when the focus of a group or individual is on the do's and don'ts. A relational person will more often talk and reflect on the works of God and His continual goodness. The reason they do so is because they have encountered Him, they have 'tasted and seen that the Lord is good.' These people don't proclaim His wonders because they 'know' that they should, but because they 'know' His goodness and can't help but talk about Him.
The problem is, that many people try to validate their faith by doing good deeds, when in actuality faith itself will produce these good deeds naturally. The fruit from the two can look similar but their roots are very different. Experience doesn't define our faith, but true faith will always manifest in experience; they cannot be separated. "Faith without works is dead." It is ok to say that we lack faith in an area, because faith is not something that we can increase or muster up on our own. Ultimately it 'is what it is'. What we need to do is be honest with ourselves, others, and God about where we are at. This vulnerability makes room for God to come and transform us from the inside out. If you are not being vulnerable then no inward change will actually occur. It is possible to use a mask of religiosity to cover up , ignore, and tolerate insecurities and problems; but true knowledge and faith in Jesus allows us to be free and vulnerable, which results in transformation and redemption.
Jesus has forgiven you, you are in union with god, and your sinful nature was crucified on the cross. Knowing and believing you are forgiven sets you free. "For its for freedom you've been set free." Jesus has set us apart to be with God, and there is nothing but bliss in His presence. Because of Jesus we can boast in our weakness, in our insecurity, because we know that He is faithful to transform it. When I am weak, then He is strong. Most of the church, including myself struggles to believe we are forgiven. That's alright because we are not saved by our faith but by Jesus! It's good to admit our unbelief because it provides an opportunity for fullness to actually manifest. Faith comes by hearing, and only those who have an ear to hear will hear. When we make room for God to move, our experiences, thoughts, and emotions will change with our faith! That is good news.
So be vulnerable, be honest with yourself, and talk to God. After all, you are in union with Him. Do not seek your validation in your own effort and works, but in God alone. For in Him is all fullness of joy!
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