Moving to Higher Ground in Jesus 

Our "Rubber to Road" Experience and our

Equippings for Priestly Service

(www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com)

     John 3:5-8

     Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.  Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.  So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows wherever it wants.  Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

     There is great benefit in understanding the difference between the life of the Spirit, the human experience, where they meet, and how they function.  In this article we will do some exploring into this wonderful and important area.

     We will begin by exploring the differences between the natural and Spiritual.  In the above verses Jesus makes it clear that humans cannot produce life that comes from his Spirit.  Just like an apple tree cannot produce oranges.  A tree will only produce life of its kind.  The contrast between the natural life and the Spiritual life is seen in many scriptures in the bible.  The book of Galatians uses the example of Ishmael and Isaac.  We know that Ishmael represents the natural, or our human efforts to bring about the promises of God.  In contrast, Isaac represents God doing it.  Man's role is to take God at his Word and believe He will accomplish what He has spoken.  It is apparent that God rejects man's effort at accomplishing what only He can do.  As we understand the nature of following our own ways and the results of our own efforts, we can clearly see why.  

     So what of the believer's human experience?  Understanding our humanity shows us:  our limitations and weaknesses so that it is apparent the glory being displayed through us is from God (2 Cor. 4); the futility of our wisdom and ways (1 Cor. 1:18-30); it also shows us that of ourselves we are no better than our fellowman and helps us relate to him (Isaiah 64, Romans 3).             

     When the Spirit is at work it can be a very fast experience.  Things happen quickly and effectively.  I'm sure others have experienced God mightily at work where He came in and changed the atmosphere in a quick and powerful way. 

     By contrast, the slower journey, or walking out our humanity, helps us become better acquainted with ourselves.  God will also allow our humanity to play out so we can relate to our fellowman and enter into our roles as a royal priesthood.  Instead of throwing stones, we intercede and become extensions of him to humanity.

     The human experience can help bridge the gap between God and man through Christ.  He's the bridge, the High Priest, and the Mediator, although He does also work through us as his body as we are found in Him. 

     We can also better understand why God would choose to allow our humanity to run its course when we realize that God intends to display his glory through us and unite us in his love in Jesus.  Walking it out can be a tool God uses to break up the hard ground of our hearts. 

     In summary our "rubber to road" experience is a beneficial and viable part of what God is looking to accomplish in Jesus and through his body.  In this way his Spirit does sweep humanity before the throne of God. 

     Zechariah 4:6

     Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

References:  Exodus 28, Exodus 39, Hebrews 2:14-18, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-4, Hebrews 5:7-10

Sidenote:  A big thank you to author and speaker Joyce Landorf Heatherley whom God used in a profound way to help with my understanding in this area. 

I hope you enjoyed this exploration into our humanity and the life of the Spirit.