Operating in the Spirit…mystical or practical?

We tend to think of operating in the Spirit as an exclusively mystical experience when in fact it is very practical but with supernatural manifestations and by supernatural means.

Operating in the Spirit is simply operating under the influence and freedom of God's love extended to us by grace in and through Christ i.e. The good news is that we have complete righteousness given to us as a gift resulting in total access to God and are now unconditional recipients of his nonstop love.

A part of this good news is that God is now committed to us, always working in and through us for our good and his glory, no matter what.

This is good news, not just regarding entry into the kingdom of God but good news regarding our ongoing daily operation in the kingdom and his working within and on behalf of us, his children. For more click here. 

When we grasp the full extent of God's love revealed to us in Christ by his Spirit, it
"lights us up" with energy/life that flows in us and out through us to others.

God's love poured out in our heart by his Spirit gives to us what has been missing ever since Adam and Eve disconnected from God through their ¹rebellious unbelief. Outside of or without the Spirits influencing and moving us, we only carry on in that same rebellion, brokenness, and blindness.

Before God took up residency in us by his Spirit of Love, we were like a fully decorated but unlit Christmas tree sitting alone in the dark. The talent and potential was there, but His power was not. His love revealed to us through Christ and infused in us by his Spirit turned the lights back on and keep then on as long as we plugged in i.e., abide in that love. 

As long as we remain plugged into the energy source (abide in his love) we will bear much fruit, bringing glory to him (by showing forth His light through our

actions that puts Him on display). If we are not plugged in there will be no action, energy or light for Him or by Him. It will only be a display of our talent that brings praise to us, not Him. 

If we ever forget and began to think this light and energy comes from us, it's like pulling away from the source (unplugging from the light socket) causing us to go dark.

The difference now is nothing blocks the socket; we always have access to the plug. We only need to plug in i.e. remain (abide) in His love.

For more on living by grace; according to the gospel; empowered by the Spirit click here. 

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Footnotes:

¹what was the nature of that rebellious unbelief? They didn't believe God's promise/warning that they would be cut off from Him (die) and His sustaining life.

The solution to this rebellious unbelief is the opposite i.e. our complete and total trust in the provision of nonstop infinite love of the Father poured out in us ny His Spirit and displayed to us in and through Christ.