02.09. CHAPTER 09: UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRIT-SOUL-SPIRIT BALANCE
CHAPTER 9: UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRIT-SOUL-SPIRIT BALANCE
Learning to choose to do all things in CHRIST JESUS (see Galatians 4:19), by the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 16:15) is a spiritual growth process that will perfect and complete the functions of our soul and spirit – in a spiritual progression into the Mount of the LORD (see Psalms 24:3-4; Psalms 15:1-2; Isaiah 2:2-3; Isaiah 33:14 b-17; Hebrews 12:22-24). In the doing of anything in GOD there is a necessary soul-spirit functional balance that the HOLY SPIRIT will establish in us. This soul-spirit functional balance has many functional levels that are descriptive of specific levels attained in our progression into the Mount of the LORD (see Genesis 22:14; Isaiah 2:2-3). We come to the Mount of the LORD (see Isaiah 2:2-3; Matthew 5:14-16) so as to function in the secret place of the MOST HIGH, under the shadow of the ALMIGHTY (see Psalms 91:1; Ephesians 1:3-12; Ephesians 3:8 c-11).
Every progressive reality of an inward functional balance or spiritual equilibrium in our inward parts reflects a functional spiritual level attained in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT, from our inward parts. When we choose (from the functions of our soul) – by the HOLY SPIRIT - to put on CHRIST and function in the Spirit of CHRIST through our spirit (see Romans 1:9; Romans 9:1), we are choosing to express the level of spirituality we have attained in our inward parts. From one level of spirituality, a higher level is opened by the HOLY SPIRIT from the Word that we have come to receive (or, realize) in our inward parts (see John 16:14-15). The ‘higher level’ stands in the Word revealed (see Deuteronomy 29:29; Mark 4:22) and the Word performed (see Jeremiah 1:11-12) in us. From being born again, when we attain – by the HOLY SPIRIT’s ministry - what we have chosen to pursue (in response to what GOD has enabled us to see and understand), we come into a reality of actual spiritual function in GOD. This is a functioning that unveils in growing levels of a soul-spirit balance or equilibrium! Our soul-spirit balance is described in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT (see Romans 8:2). Our balance stands in the FATHER’s will! In this balance or equilibrium, our soul reflects the level at which it has been perfected and completed in the Nature and Character of MASHIAH YESHUA. In tandem with our spirit, our soul has attained – by the HOLY SPIRIT – a functional state in CHRIST JESUS! In this functional state, there is a necessary functional balance between soul (choice) and spirit (functional ability / capacity / level of application in CHRIST JESUS) that establishes us before GOD. From this position of balance our perfected soul can become – through the exercise of our choices - the basis for the pursuit of yet higher levels of spirituality through our spirit. When we set our hope on actualizing a higher functional reality in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT, we enter into a growth and expansion phase of our inward parts (see Psalms 119:32; Psalms 119:25-32; 2 Peter 1:19).
Growth in our inward parts comes about as the life-giving contents of the Spirit of JESUS CHRIST (see 1 Corinthians 15:45; Php 1:19 c) – resident within our spirit man - is quickened into its functional potentials described in the Testimony and Witness of YESHUA, and given expression to by the HOLY SPIRIT. This functional potential – being attained - necessarily involves both our spirit and our soul.
What is quickened (by the HOLY SPIRIT) in our spirit is perfected and completed into our soul functionally. This comes about as YESHUA’s Nature and Character – inherent to HIS functional Testimony and Witness - is synthesized and worked into our soul (by the HOLY SPIRIT) in “some measure”, so that we in turn can function in “some measure” like CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT!
And, this function comes about as we choose to do things in word and deed (see Php 4:13; Colossians 3:17) in the enabling actualized (by the HOLY SPIRIT) from the functional contents of MASHIAH YESHUA’s Spirit and Life. This function is configured in the contents of the Spirit and Life of MASHIAH YESHUA.
It is the HOLY SPIRIT WHO works the Character and Nature of JESUS CHRIST – inherent to HIS every function - into us through processes of renewal and regeneration through the washing (cleaning and purification) of the Water of the Rhema Word (see Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26-27). We do things – in word and deed – in growing conformance to CHRIST JESUS. We become growing Epistles of CHRIST (see 2 Corinthians 3:3, NKJV).
[The Rhema Word is the Word quickened by the HOLY SPIRIT to our inward parts. The Rhema Word can also be the Word witnessed by GOD to our inward parts (in both words and pictures). The Rhema Word carries functional actualities in the Spirit and Life of MASHIAH YESHUA. The HOLY SPIRIT works these functional actualities into growing functional states of equilibrium in our soul and spirit.] The washing of renewal and regeneration in the Rhema Word is a composite spiritual expression of the Mystery of CHRIST, (the Mystery of) HIS Gospel, (the Mystery of) HIS Faith and (the Mystery of) HIS Godliness.
It is renewal and regeneration in the Spirit and Life of YESHUA (quickened through our spirit man) that enable the transfers in the Character and Nature of CHRIST JESUS into our soul so that we are supernaturally purified and established as being holy unto GOD!
But, all of these energized spiritual transfers are based on our choices arising from our soul. Hence as we grow in the LORD we see that even the processes by which we make our choices are built out of what we receive of CHRIST. What we receive is then perfected and completed in CHRIST as we put into practice what we have received in order to attain a higher level of function. In essence it is YESHUA’s love for the FATHER that we need to actualize. It is HIS delight in obeying the FATHER that we need to actualize. It is HIS Way of responding to situations and HIS Way of speaking and doing things that we need to actualize. It is the Testimony of JESUS that must become the framework and the essence and substance of our every function in GOD (see Psalms 119:32). This is what the HOLY SPIRIT is achieving in us. HE is taking that which is of CHRIST JESUS (see John 16:14) – HIS Fullness (see John 1:16; Colossians 1:19; Colossians 1:17) – and HE is perfecting this fullness of JESUS CHRIST into our being in fully functional terms. In this manner, we stand in the Nature and Character of JESUS CHRIST perfected and completed into us. Indeed YESHUA MASHIAH alone is the Bread of Life, and what we actualize from HIM becomes in us, and to us, the Way, the Truth and the Life.
We receive of HIS Fullness as Bread and the ingredients of this Bread are perfected and completed into our inward parts as a prophetic functional reality described as the Way, the Truth and the Life! “The Way, the Truth and the Life” is our operating system actualized from the Testimony of JESUS. AMEN (see Revelation 3:14 b; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22)! The in-working into our soul is given expression to in revealed realities - arising through our spirit - inscribed line upon line and precept upon precept by the HOLY SPIRIT into our soul and, as our soul responds, into our spirit in turn, to attain “higher realities” in CHRIST JESUS (see 1 Corinthians 2:9-10). These verses - Isaiah 28:9-12; Zephaniah 3:9; Ezekiel 36:27; Isaiah 54:10; Isaiah 54:13; and, John 6:45 - give us insight into GOD’s proposition to actually teach us and equip us to function in both spirit and soul – through the unveiling of the Mystery of CHRIST (see Ephesians 3:8 c-11).
What is perfected and completed into our soul positions us to actualize the deeper realities of the Spirit of CHRIST in our spirit. Hence the functional capacity of our spirit man – in CHRIST JESUS, by the HOLY SPIRIT - increases as our soul is perfected and completed. The soul and spirit are necessarily complementary centers of our functional consciousness. When we ignore the importance of our soul’s development – in its expressions of character and nature – we run the danger of operating lawlessly. The Mystery of Lawlessness is a deception of false spirituality that ignores this balanced growth that is based exclusively on a growing likeness to CHRIST JESUS – as CHRIST is actually formed in us (see Galatians 4:19).
Given the fact that we are freewill creatures, the state of our soul is crucial to what our spirit can actualize from GOD in the life-giving Spirit of YESHUA!
[Hebrews 4:12, clearly states that the Word manifests by “piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit”. The Word manifests as Bread we eat (see Jeremiah 15:16) in distinctly different realities within our soul and spirit – as we meditatively or contemplatively eat the Word. We eat by hearing, understanding and accepting the Word of GOD and then putting it into practice in our lives (see Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20; Luke 8:15). The Word manifested to our soul is called the Bread of the Holy and the Word manifested to our spirit is called the Bread of the Most Holy (see Leviticus 21:22; Jeremiah 15:16). It is the HOLY SPIRIT WHO makes this division in soul and spirit enabling us to increasingly actualize the dynamics of YESHUA’s Character and Nature in our soul, while we realize the dynamics of the capacity to function like YESHUA in our spirit.
Please be reminded that the “I AM” of YAHWEH is expressed in SOUL and SPIRIT too! And, we are made in HIS Image! Hence the necessary soul-spirit balance in our inward parts too. In this book, we are saying that in our spirits the HOLY SPIRIT manifests from the Word the life-giving Spirit of JESUS CHRIST that carries the enablement in power to function – by GOD (as opposed to functioning independent of GOD)! In our soul, the HOLY SPIRIT crystallizes from the Word that carries the life-giving Spirit of JESUS CHRIST, the Character and Nature of JESUS CHRIST that will in turn enable us to apply – in our own free will - the functions arising from our spirit according to the Word of GOD and the will of GOD that we have actualized. In this way GOD performs HIS Word in our inward parts (see Jeremiah 1:11-12; Exodus 32:15-16; 2 Corinthians 3:3) and also through us (see 2 Corinthians 3:6) in a balance of nature, character and spiritual function.] Our soul is renewed and regenerated as we choose to respond to the Testimony Of JESUS arising out of all that is revealed and quickened in our spirit man through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT (see John 16:14; John 16:13-15; Ephesians 1:17-19)! The right responses (the right choices) arising from our soul – in response to all that the HOLY SPIRIT has quickened in our spirit – will enable us to actually function by the Spirit of CHRIST in all that we do in thought, word and deed. Ultimately the totality of our being will be made fully functional – in soul and spirit - in the life-giving Spirit of JESUS CHRIST. This functionality expresses the practical reality of our salvation.
Please be reminded once more that all this is a work in progress. We function – in spirit and in soul - in the Spirit of CHRIST in growing measures of HIS Spirit. It is a progression as the extracts of the ingredients of HIS Spirit and HIS Life are perfected and completed into both our soul and spirit. All right function comes out of the Character and Nature of JESUS CHRIST.
We appropriate the Nature and Character of JESUS CHRIST from HIS life-giving Spirit. JESUS’ Spirit was perfected and completed through HIS life and ministry through the Cross. HIS Nature and Character was put to test on the Cross and HE was raised from the dead with HIS Spirit being described as the Spirit of Holiness (see Romans 1:3-4).
Now CHRIST JESUS’ life-giving, power-invested Spirit has been given to us in the Rhema Word that communicates saving realities – by the HOLY SPIRIT - in YESHUA’s Spirit and YESHUA’s Life (see John 6:63; Hebrews 1:3 b). HIS Spirit and HIS Life are the channels of HIS faith and love for us – exercised in living expressions of HIS Character and Nature in order that we will be revitalized – renewed and regenerated – by the HOLY SPIRIT (see Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:26-27) in realities actualized from YESHUA’s faith and YESHUA’s love! We become a new creation in JESUS CHRIST with functions that unveil the good works ordained by GOD (see Ephesians 2:10). In this actualization orchestrated by the HOLY SPIRIT we increasingly become sons of GOD! AMEN (see Revelation 3:14 b; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22)!