Summer 1995
The Measure of a Spiritual Man
Wade E Taylor

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit" Gal 5:25

Many of us desire to live a Spirit-led life. To do so means that we have died to our own ways, submitted ourselves to the governmental rule of His Kingdom, and have given to the Lord the unconditional right to choose for us.

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in (our) earth,
as it is in heaven" Matt 6:10 (Comment added).

For this relationship to function properly, it requires that we have a basic understanding of the laws that govern a Spirit led life. More difficult, it necessitates an abiding, unquestioning submission to the government of His Kingdom. Therefore, along with a committed daily walk of being led by His Spirit, this submission to His Kingdom rule includes our acceptance of the preparatory teachings and the practical disciplines that are laid upon us.

The purpose of these is to produce within us an increasing sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and an enlarging of our willingness and ability to understand and cooperate with His movings.

The Kingdom of God is a realm in which there is much activity, but where everything moves in divine order and purpose. There is a progression that leads to this. A baby walks falteringly for a few steps and falls as his direction is arbitrary and casual. A child walks for his own enjoyment and amusement. A young man walks to attain his goals and fulfill his visions. But a father walks to please and satisfy the needs of his family. He has a higher purpose than his own satisfaction.

This involves spiritual perception, dedication, and sacrificial giving. These are the marks of maturity. It is the same in the realm and program of the Kingdom. As babes in Christ, we must develop spiritually before we can begin to intelligently walk in the Spirit. This involves a total commitment to the Lord. The schoolmaster and teacher for this processing is the Holy Spirit. We must enroll in this school of training and preparation if we are to receive its benefits. The registrar is always available and waiting for our response.

To walk in the Spirit is to walk one step at a time, acknowledging His headship and presence, each step that we take. Our own thoughts and ways must be set aside in order to follow Him. He is the Christ, the Anointed of the Lord. Therefore, the natural man cannot come this way, for he cannot discern the drawing power nor respond to the anointing that brings one into this higher realm; for it is a function of the Spirit, not of the mind.

The children of Israel were to abide under the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. They were to move only as the pillar of fire or the cloud moved. The purpose of this discipline was to teach them the importance of being led by His Spirit. Had they learned and obeyed, Israel would have won one victory after another in possessing the land, and would have become the witness and forerunner of the Theocratic Kingdom rule that the Lord desired to establish in the earth.

The Lord greatly desires to introduce us to His Kingdom through a Spirit led life and walk. He cannot allow us to have a part in this higher governmental realm of His Kingdom until we have individually, unconditionally submitted our lives to be governed by Him, and have in some measure, learned how to "walk in the Spirit."

Certain basic principles must be understood in seeking this higher realm of His Kingdom.

The term "flesh" is the name given to the natural
state and activity of man, independent of and
uncontrolled by, the Holy Spirit.

The terms, led by; moved by; walking in the Spirit;
are names of the supernatural state and activity of
man, totally dependent upon and totally controlled
by the Holy Spirit.

The above conditions are contrary to each other, yet so similar in action that spiritual perception is required to recognize the transition from one realm into the other. Man's spirit and soul are so closely allied that it takes the quickened Word of God to distinguish one from the other. God has sent His Spirit to accomplish this. The original divine purpose was to make of man a being that lived and moved in complete harmony and unity with God.

In the first test, man utterly failed and fell into the lower realm of flesh life. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a way back to this higher realm of spirit life has been established and the way of entrance set before us.

In the past, our spiritual comprehension has been dull and our progress toward this higher realm slow. Therefore, "the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and Fire" has been made available as the means to enable us to enter this realm of spiritual life and reality - His Kingdom. With many, this experience has fallen into a lower realm of "blessing" rather than the "enabling" which leads into this higher realm of spiritual life and purpose.

Many are satisfied with receiving the spiritual blessings and imparted gifts of the enabling, rather than seeking after "the enduement of power" that would bring us into this higher realm. It is important for us to have a right perspective of this experience of our being "Baptized in the Holy Spirit," since a greater intervention of God is upon us in these last days. The Holy Spirit is marvelously moving upon many with the intention of bringing them up into this higher realm.

Paul prayed, "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" Eph 1:18. There is much more available to us, but we are settling for less than His adequate provision.

Our Lord is challenging us to move upward and onward. The present dissatisfaction and searching within the Body of Christ is His prodding. The "movings" of the Holy Spirit within and upon us are His means. The Kingdom of God is His goal.

He is waiting for us to walk with Him.