The quickening Spirit of THE LORD is all about relationship. When you spend time with someone you develop a deeper relationship. You begin to know their uniqueness and what is important to them. You learn their ways, their focus, and their history. You “know” them well enough that when someone says something about them, you can agree or reject their statement.
How well do you know Jesus Christ? How well do you know the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY? Do you know HIM well enough to call HIM FATHER? This term demonstrates relationship. Who is first and foremost, preeminent in your life? This is your “First Love”.
Prayer is communication and communion with FATHER, not a method of petitioning and convincing. Fellowshipping brings for the essence of communion. When I asked my earthly dad what he wanted for his birthday, he said “Quality time with you”. Do you think Our Heavenly Father is any different?
Your “First Love” is a pure Love. As Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” Your eyes are opened as your focus on Love increases. No longer are the trials drudgery but opportunities to express your commitment to HIS path. Sin is no longer appealing because the old man is withering away from the scene. This “First Love” is not immature but fully developed because you are willing to give your life to HIM, setting aside and cleansing fleshly aspirations deposited by the world into your consciousness. Paul understands the need to protect yourself from the fleshly desires by reminding us of our body being a temple for the Holy Spirit to reside in us:
1 Corinthians 6:
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Paul goes on to say that “Christ” lives in us:
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
This highest form of Love is reflected in the “Spirit of THE LORD”. HE is IN US, at the center of our being, and wants to flow outward through our soul and our body to become fully expressed in our lives. As our soul submits to HIS Spirit, we begin to be led by the SPIRIT- not my will but Your Will be done. We become in unity with the Spirit of THE LORD. Are you allowing THE SPIRIT to emanate outward? If not, repent and put on the mind of Christ! Repent of being fleshly and soulish. To be a light unto the world, we must be led by HIS SPIRIT without any hindrance from the soul or the body.
The Son of man came not to be served, but to serve and as we walk in HIS SPIRIT, we will have the same heart for all mankind, not just a few of the seemingly deserving of our attention. HIS Love will be poured out through us to all, even the enemies of the Cross. There is no substitute for being led by THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD!