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LEARNING HEAVENS CULTURE

by ROBIN BOSCH
12/02/2015 / Devotionals

We are all brought up in a certain culture. Our culture defines who we are and is divided into categories and divisions. Culture identifies us with the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people and ethnicity; defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.

When we are identified by these groups we become secure in the safety and predictability of that culture. We feel accepted and our sense of worth is encapsulated by its embrace.

We all belong to a particular family and each family has its way of doing things. A family will do traditional activities according to what they were taught within their family cultural value and norm.

So, what is normal for one family may be odd for another. That's called a cultural mold, passed on from generation to generation.

Most of us belong to Churches who add value to our spiritual growth. Many have different views on dress code, etiquette, manners, and general behavior.

The danger though, is that we allow these cultural differences to divide and partition us, causing schisms in the body of Christ with a feeling of rejection for non-conformance to a set of rules. The Pharisees in Jesus time on earth had a major problem with His breaking with their tradition and culture. I mention an interesting observation from Zondervan' Bible Dictionary, 1968, and I quote, "They (the Pharisees) resented His rejection of the traditions which they kept so carefully. Tradition meant more to them than truth, they stumbled in their apprehension of the Christ of God."

We too, can easily categorize or sectionalize actions and behavior according to tradition or culture, as being good or bad. This can be the case, but mostly they are petty differences having no bearing on our new identity in Christ. Cultures that are manifested in a particular group may be good for some but burdensome to others. When all is said and done they should not be used as a judgmental yardstick, segmenting people as lesser equals in Christ

Many times these are minor behavioral differences that have nothing to do with right or wrong, good or bad. They are merely norms or quirks for want of a better word, emanating from environmental circumstances, habits and traditions.

It can happen that we sometimes lock into a culture that offers security but also smothers and inhibits the freedom and liberty that the Holy Spirit wants us to walk in. "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.(2Co 3:17)

To digress slightly I read recently of a well-known rugby coach who's in contention to be appointed the new head coach for the Stormers,, who said and I quote, "Had I been offered a four-year deal, it would have been different. But I have travelled around the world a lot to pursue my career as a coach and didn't want to uproot my family again for the promise of just two years. I didn't want to commute either........ ;

(And here's what he said that caught my attention)
.as I believe you have to be fully immersed in a culture to be effective as a coach."

When we are locked into a culture of whatever sort, it is a commitment, or immersion into the norms and values of that group or organization. When this happens we are able to access and understand the aggregation of the group which is by definition, composed of many distinct parts. Only then one is able to correct or adjust the culture by degrees, in order for that group to thrive and prosper.

The same is true when we believe and receive the truth of the Gospel. The instant we believe and receive Christ we get a new identity. We're now identified with Christ and baptized or immersed into all that is encapsulated in His death and resurrection: His Holiness, His goodness, His kindness, His peace, His joy and all that is offered by Him for us, to spiritually mature.

We carry His Name and are adorned with the robe of righteousness, infused with power and adopted as sons and daughters. (Rom. 8:15)

As we breathe the fresh aroma of the Kingdom of Heaven, we become intoxicated by its atmosphere. The Word of Life becomes our oxygen, the Spirit of Life our guide. We become enveloped with the glory of Christ's being. The culture of Heaven; superseding, subjugating all others. The old wine - culture and traditions of men having lost strength. (Lu.5:37-39)

As we imbibe on the New Wine of the Gospel of Grace and taste the rich flavored cultivars of Heavens vineyard, (Is.55:1) we relish and fully enjoy Heavens culture. In fact scripture encourages us to "......put away, as concerning (our) former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
and that (we) be renewed in the spirit of (our) mind, and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."(Ep 2:22-24 HNV)
Note: changed to first person by me, see (we) and (our.)

Heavens culture can only be activated or mobilized by Gods Spirit residing in our spirit - by grace through faith. It has to be moved or channeled in this way to affect our soul, which in turn affects our body. The sluice gate of faith has to be opened in order for Heavens culture to flood our soul.

If we are born again, Heavens culture already resides in our spirit. But the Lord desires that we must work out our salvation. Meaning, the salvation residing in our spirit must move out, or be worked out from there into our soul and body.

"Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling." (Phil.2:12a.AMP)

Notice the Amplified Bible says, "Cultivate." The culture of Heaven or the Kingdom of God has to be cultivated. It doesn't just happen - it's a process learned. The faucet of faith has to be turned on. The Lord Himself said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. "( Joh 7:38)

Believing I have the fullness of the Godhead bodily residing in my spirit, releases the Dunamis power of God; which is nothing less than moral power and excellence of soul. The New Wine flowing from my spirit into my soul. Note: Soul = Mind, Will and Emotion.

My spirit is saved and sanctified but this is not the case for my soul and body. The more I saturate myself with the Word, which is Christ's finished work and what is mine in Him, the more the reality of what He achieved will spill over into my soul. The culture of Heaven will flow freely elevating me onto a higher platform of victory.

This cannot be achieved when I "culture" or store the New Wine of the Gospel in old bottles.

Luk 5:37 And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish.
Luk 5:38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.

This means I have to realize that I am unable to achieve this by remaining under the Law or any rule I may impose on myself. I have to understand that the culture of Heaven; or put another way, the sanctification of the soul and the body, can only be obtained in the Spirit, by the Spirit.

Paul the Apostle said as much to the Galatians, "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"(Gal.3:3KJV)

It is indeed the Lords will and desire to mature the culture of Heaven and have it flow into the remaining part of my tripartite being; soul and body. This is clearly spelt out in 1Th 5:23 where Paul says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

To emphasize: The culture of Heaven came and dwelt in my spirit when I accepted Christ's sacrifice. The Righteousness of God dwells in the Secret Place. (Ps.91:1KJV) My spirit is perfect, wall to wall, but the culture of Heaven has to continually flow to the other two unredeemed sections of my being, namely my soul and body.

To make this a reality experientially I should tarry long in the culture of Heaven. I should make the Most High my refuge. (Ps.91:9) I should quench my thirsty soul and drink the living water of Christ's victory. I should imbibe the New Wine of the Gospel of Grace and be intoxicated with the Spirit of Life in Christ, so that my soul becomes a channel of power and a purveyor of peace. (Rom.8:2)

The essence of Heavens culture is freedom. Freedom from fear; freedom from death and freedom from the suffocating constraints of its human counterpart which squeezes me into a package deal of human effort and religious laws. Heavens culture floods the soul with peace. It overwhelms the rejected with boundless acceptance. It offers liberty to those who are downtrodden and light to those who walk in darkness.

I should soak my soul in the Blood of Christ and walk by grace through faith in the Spirit of Christ. I should pronounce the liberty that I have in Christ and the culture of the Kingdom of Heaven from generation to generation. Amen.

I have been a believer in Christ for many years. It has only been in the last three or four years that I have received greater insight into the Grace of God. This has injected me with energy to tell others about the blessed "rest" we have in Christ. Grace is not a theology but is a Person-- Jesus.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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