The Deeper Walk

Many are satisfied with a superficial experience with God. They like the Israelites of old are content to pitch their tent near the tent of meeting. They are stirred in their hearts by the pillar of fire that sits above the tabernacle of God. It is enough for them to look out of the front of their tents and see the anointed fire of God. They cannot fathom that their could be more.

So our churches are filled with souls who are content to be one of the chosen. Like the pillar of fire their hearts are stirred when God moves in power and anointing in the house of God. They depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. When he moves they move.

Yet their are others who long for more. We one and all come to Christ the same way. Like the children of Israel we are amazed at the miraculous power of God. Yet some shall hunger for a deeper experience with God. These souls shall respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit and enter the outer court. Three things they shall find there the brazen altar of sacrifice, the basin of water or cleansing and a call to be priests unto God. Jesus by his death on the cross-purchased eternal redemption for us. The altar of sacrifice in heaven is where he sprinkled his blood.

The altar is where we begin to see the line of demarcation. It is the place where we begin to see the call of God to the deeper walk. It is where we lay our lives down that we may gain his. The heart that walks in heavenly places hungers daily for the power of the cross in their lives. They know that in them dwells no good thing. Yet the cross is the power of God. We cannot walk in righteousness apart from the cross. Jesus told us if any man would follow me, let him pick up his cross daily and follow me.

This is not an exhortation of God to somehow lead a surrendered life. It is not an appeal to try harder. The heart that sees itself for what it is by revelation of the Spirit shall daily submit to the Holy Spirit that he might work out the power of the cross in our lives. There is no other way. That which is carnal is put to death by the Holy Spirit. Only through humbling ourselves in submission can the power of the cross work effectively in us.

Having been cleansed by the work of the cross our eyes our opened to new realities. Only the Spirit can show us ourselves as we really are. We do not see ourselves as God does. Yet the Spirit of God if allowed shall expose all the hidden agenda and the wickedness of the human heart. Our hearts have their own agenda. We think we are deep committed souls for Christ, but it is only as we allow the Holy Spirit to work out the power of the cross in our lives that we see how wretched we really are.

The flesh is corrupt beyond rehabilitation. We do not see ourselves in this light. We see ourselves as having this problem or that. Yet we believe if only we would apply ourselves with diligence that all might yet be well. The Spirit shall show us our true condition. The truth of the matter is there is no good thing in us. Our flesh is good for only one thing death. The flesh will submit to any regimen of change except its own extinction. Yet it is only as we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what we truly are that gives us the revelation to walk in that which must be done.

No one shall walk in the deep places with God who does not on a daily basis allow the Holy Spirit to work out in our inner man a deeper work of the cross. The cross where we surrender all that we are. The cross by whose power we begin to walk in his life and not our own. That soul which daily submits to the working of the cross in their lives shall be filled with an inner hunger for purity and holiness.

There were many sundry sacrifices that they would make to the Lord. Jesus offered himself as a sin offering and by his blood purchased eternal redemption. Yet to know the power and glory of it we must also sacrifice ourselves on the altar. We must bring fellowship offerings to our God and king. God starts every heart that would walk in the deeper things with him in this same place. The Holy Spirit will not only cleanse us, but also empower us to walk in holiness and righteousness. Having died to self-daily we are given robes of righteousness. Yet the heart so cleansed shall walk in the power of Jesus righteousness and not our own.