Читать книгу Journey Toward Eternity - Joe Callihan - Страница 6

We are born into this world spiritual beings, made in the image of God; possessing an eternal soul and spirit encased within a mortal body. Descendants of Adam and Eve, as we grow we find we have knowledge of both good and evil. This knowledge is shared with us by what we call, “the voice of our conscience.”

From the day of our birth we are on the journey toward eternity. In the course of growth, our body goes through a process of maturing. Our spirit likewise strives to grow into attaining spiritual maturity. That which is of the spirit, is of eternal value. While that which is of the flesh, is of temporal value. This is why spiritual maturity requires us to look beyond the temporary things surrounding us, and look to that which is eternal. Our flesh and our spirit war against each other.

Our flesh is composed of the material (dust) of this world (Genesis, chapter 2, verse 7). But our spirit and soul are made from Godly material (the breath of God). God breathed spirit and soul into our body (Genesis, chapter 2, verse 7). It is for this reason our flesh responds so easily to satan, the prince of this world; while our soul and spirit desire to draw closer to God. We need power and wisdom from God to overcome our weak flesh. We need the presence and guidance of God’s Holy Spirit operating within us twenty four hours a day.

“Heaven, we have a problem!” Father God is Holy, the Spirit of God is Holy, but we are not. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Because of our sinful nature, the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within us. Our Father, Who created us to be His sons’ and daughters,’ sharing a deep love relationship with Him, cannot look upon us. He could not bless us, as we chose to be led by the rebellious and sinful nature of our flesh. We lacked ability to restore ourselves to a condition of holiness in the sight of our Father.

We needed a Savior, one who was without a sinful nature. One willing to take upon Himself all the punishment we were due. One who in dying on the cross, gives us power to crucify our flesh that the “old man” with his sinful nature could be put to death. Our Saviors’ name is Jesus! When He arose from the grave, He offered to any who would desire to receive, His Holy nature. To all who choose crucifying the “old man,” Jesus gives the power to be “born again.” Becoming born again is not some cute phrase. It is the power we receive in our spirit, when the Holy Spirit comes to make His home in our mortal body. The Holy Spirit will teach the willing heart how to be holy (As our Father in Heaven is Holy). He helps those wishing to show God they truly love Him, to produce His “Fruit” in their life; Holy Fruit which allows us to show others the image of God, as we reflect His nature rather than that of our flesh or satan.

When Jesus, the Messiah, over 2,000 years ago made a journey from Heaven to earth for our redemption, it was short, lasting just thirty three years. His journey led from Heaven to earth, to suffering and death on a cross, to a brief stay in the grave, then to the gates of hell where He led captivity captive; and ascension back into Heaven, He gave gifts to men; some the ability to be Apostles, to some, Prophets; some, Evangelist; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ. (Eph. 4: 8-13).

Why would Jesus do this? The first answer would be because God so loved the world. But there were other reasons as well, which we must consider. That we henceforth not be like children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Eph.4: 14). Being covered by the Blood of Jesus, cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. Our Father can once again look upon us as His sons and daughters. The Kingdom of God is restored to us as the Holy Spirit can now dwell within us twenty four hours a day; leading us to walk in righteousness, peace, and joy. Our fleshly body is glorified as His Temple.

But for us to achieve all of these wonderful blessings to our life, we must make a sincere and serious decision and commitment. We must decide to receive Jesus as our Savior, and accept the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross; and we must also commit to love and serve our Father. In doing so, our journey toward eternity becomes more joyful and secure. We have the ability to walk in the power of the Spirit, not the weakness of our flesh.

Seeking to become born again must come from a spiritually hungry and humble heart. We must choose to resist walking in the vanity of our mind and the lust of our flesh. We must learn to deny our self, crucify the will of our flesh, pick up our cross (make a sacrifice of love), and follow Jesus as the Holy Spirit guides our yielded spirit.

If we seriously pursue the Kingdom of God, (righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit) we will enjoy our journey into eternity. There is great joy in the freedom found by walking in the Spirit. We can attain many freedoms through yielding to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Freedom from having to live among eternally poor in Heaven, freedom from fear here on earth, freedom from being tormented by past sins which have been placed under the Blood of Jesus, freedom to worship God in Spirit and in Truth, freedom to be bold in rescuing our brother from being in bondage to darkness, freedom to grow in spiritual maturity, freedom to dwell in the secret place of the Most High, freedom from the lies and deceptions of satan, and the freedom to enter into eternity with joy and not fear.

It is my sincerest prayer that every reader of Journey Toward Eternity, will come to discover each of these freedoms, as they go from chapter to chapter. May your Journey Toward Eternity be a joyful one.