“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). 

Sublimation according to Dr. Hadfield, is “the process by which instinctive emotions were diverted from their original ends, and re-directed to purposes satisfying to the individual and of value to the community.” Man will instinctively fulfill the lust of the flesh. The energy to carry out that end is within him and if nothing is changed, it is inevitable that he will follow after that path. It is only when the Spirit is given permission to intervene will his course be changed. His instincts will be diverted away from what comes natural and the more he yields to the Holy Spirit the more he will find pleasures equal to and ultimately greater than what formally occupied his time and attention. The energy that was expended towards self-gratification is now used for the benefit of the community. When we walk in the Spirit, we are moving in the direction and the ultimate destination of God. All other paths lead to isolation and death. Habits are broken and new passions are ignited in place of the dominating forces that lead to frustration. The evidence that one is walking in the Spirit is the willingness to continue with the Spirit. There is no place in that individual’s life to engage in the contrary and unfruitful works of darkness. 

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). 

Jesus was acknowledged by His disciples as both Lord and Teacher. He both rules over them, therefore having the right to demand their servitude and He is their teacher, one who instructs them in the ways of righteousness. This dual role is unique because one role does not require any patience or sympathy. As their Lord, their wills must be totally submitted to His will. There is no room for arbitration or any form of questioning. He has the right to rule them or they would be subject to face the consequences of their rebellion. Yet He never rules without instructions. He goes before us in order to train us so that we are enabled to see an example of what we will become. Then He shows us exactly how He does it and empowers us with His Spirit in order for us to be properly equipped to do it. Finally He serves us rather than look to us to serve Him. As we are being served by Him, we are expected to serve others. Only when we are humble enough to serve the people that we rule over and instruct, will we become like Jesus. 

“And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:21). 

These times are different from any other. There was a time when people both thought and acted differently. The environment has an effect upon the times. The mood is set by the atmosphere. God orders it in response to prayer on the part of His people. During the times of peace and prosperity, the people are at ease. But when trouble comes, there is an unsettling among them. God examines and tries the heart of every person. Rebellion is not the result of the times, but rather the times are the result of man’s rebellion. He changes the times to reflect the attitude on earth expressed towards Him. But when we pray and seek Him with our whole hearts, a new season of revival will begin. He will give us leaders who are after His own heart when our hearts are directed towards Him. Otherwise, those who will lead will reflect the attitude of the people they are leading. Yes God changes both times and seasons, but His attention is set upon His people to seek Him for a time of the healing of the land and wholeness among the peoples of the earth

“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). 

We should pay special attention in reflecting on what has already been said. We need to meditate on what we have already heard. Contained within those messages are words that are needed for our future growth. It is within the course of living that God will test as to whether we took seriously those things that once excited us. It is not the initial enthusiasm that matters most, but will it endure the challenges of the future? It is the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust for other things that will snatch away what we once possessed and treasured. They drift when our attention is diverted away from them. Then it is as if we had never heard. God’s desire is to build upon the revelation of Jesus Christ established within our hearts. We can then grow in grace and in the knowledge of Him. Attention given to the Word of God in the past requires a more earnest heed. Then the Holy Spirit will preserve what we have committed to Him from ever leaving the life that has become the expression of God’s truth. 

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). 

There is no greater honor than to abide in the place that is rightly prepared. Ill-prepared places are hastily erected without giving enough thought to details. There are special needs, passions, and specific preferences that will suit the taste of the person. We are individuals and always will be individuals. Yes, we will abide together but our personality is uniquely ours and belongs to no other. God, who created all things, has room for us to be ourselves. There are spaces awaiting us within His economy. Jesus Christ, our elder brother has gone before us. He takes with Him our specific needs. The deepest longings of the heart are considered. The things that we are lacking are there in abundant supply. No expense is spared for the Spirit knows the things of God and the thoughts of every man. The place is not prepared for us as we currently are, but it is prepared for us on the basis of what we will eventually become. As we are being purified, our appetites are changing. We are coming to know who we really are. No longer having to pretend nor model or mimic others who are around us. We will fit perfectly in the place that we are being prepared for. The greatest blessing of being there is who will abide there with us. He is there before the Father awaiting our arrival. Where He is, there we shall be. 

“that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Ephesians 4:14). 

Children are in a stage of indecision and in need of a guidance counselor to place them on the right track. But as we grow, the instructions are there to keep us on the established track made possible through spiritual fathers. Those formative years are so important in order for “the way” to be made clear when the pressures are brought to bear against the soul to compromise. Adults should no longer act childish in their approach to life. God provides for us what is needed for our stability, but if the godly instructions are not heeded, the winds of doctrine will lead to instability and being tossed to and fro and eventually they will be carried away from the foundation. God gave spiritual gifts to those who desire to become spiritually mature. Only the mature are able to lead others to maturity. Childish and unstable thinking will breed unstable souls who will follow another as quickly as they would follow you. Whatever impresses them at the moment holds their attention, but just for a little while. They will eventually move on to something different. God’s desire is for each to remain rightly joined for the sake of the Body. We are then edified and He will be glorified. 

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13). 

The instructions given by God to your children will first produce an inner peace. Their hearts will agree with the truth for which they were made to receive and understand. They would no longer be left to themselves to wander from one opinion to the next, never knowing which path is the right one to take. But rather, they shall be surefooted in their stance in righteousness and not easily swayed by the winds of strange doctrines that have become prevalent in our day. There is a peace for children to receive. Even though they may not have experienced much of what lies ahead, nevertheless they can face the future with confidence. The instruction of the Lord will guide them when they arrive at impasses where a decision is necessary to choose the best way. They will apply their teachings to the situation at hand and not fall prey to the adversary whose objective is to lure them away from the path that leads to life. Each child shall receive his share. None shall be left out for all need the same peace that comes from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. 

“Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up” (Isaiah 33:10). 

God rises above the heights of the loftiest mountains. He rises above the ingenuity of the wisest men on the face of the earth. Many have settled for a level of truth based upon what can enter into the minds of men. But when He is exalted, no thought could ever be stretched to dimensions known only to Him. His judgments provide proof that we are wrong in our assessments of life and things excluding Him yet deemed to be important. He exposes the frailty of everything that did not originate from Him and remain attached to Him. God was awaiting the right moment in time, when unbelief had reached its peak among the doubters and skeptics. Those who believe in Him anticipate His return, eagerly longing for His rule and reign to be established among men on earth. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of His creatures” (James 1:18). 

It was not as the result of skills or ingenuity that we were presented on the scene possessing the qualities the world is in desperate need of. In due time, God presents to the world His solution to its greatest challenges through a people who have been qualified to speak life into the culture of death. Yet none can take the credit for what is spoken or demonstrated. It is His awesome power on public display. Within His own time, He raises up a people who are qualified to speak the truth in love. When the righteous are raised in power, all things are in the process of being restored. Only the truth spoken in love is a basis for God’s order to replace the confusing philosophies of religious gurus who twist the truth to their own purposes. All of creation awaits the manifestation of those who would be willing to stand for the truth at all cost. Then there will be the dawning of a new day of liberty from the bondage of corruption. 

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you” (1Peter 5:10). 

The progression that takes place in the life of a Christ-follower begins with the call. He calls us to Himself. Then we can be conformed to the image of His Son. It is only when we answer the initial call will we qualify to experience what is produced in us as the result of being drawn close to Him. His eternal glory is the finished product of His grace. God looks at the end from the beginning. But the path requires suffering even though it is only for a little while in contrast to the glory that shall be revealed in us. We are matured to see things from His perspective, established in the faith, and not wavering because of various trials. Each challenge provides strength for future challenges as we develop a greater resistance to the evil one. Finally we are settled as not to be moved by whatever may come our way. A steadfast faith remains constant and undisturbed in a fixed position in relation to God. Pray that the God of all grace releases an abundance of His grace towards us for the journey which lies ahead.