Like a Sponge part 2
This thing--this eternal, abundant, everlasting, Resurrection Life--is really just simply about what's inside you coming out of you. The LOVE inside you coming out of you. The very first thing I taught Logan about God is that Jesus is God, and God is love, and Jesus lives in your heart. To me, that's the foundation that Paul was talking about. Everything else builds from there. And to me, it's so important that we KNOW and BELIEVE what's inside us so it CAN come out of us! But in this Rant series I'm really trying to focus on the attitude of rest in regards to receiving and releasing. I don't want to put to much pressure--or really, any pressure or focus at all--on what WE are doing. Because that's not what it's about. It's not about what YOU do, it's about what JESUS did! God poured His Spirit out on all flesh. He took up abode within us. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). But it seems like the trick is getting what's in there... out! The outward expression of the indwelling Spirit. Which, actually, is the definition of grace. Grace is the divine influence on the heart, and it's reflection in the life. What's inside coming out. Not a rug to sweep sin under so we can do whatever we want and "get away with it." We CAN do whatever we want. But that doesn't mean we SHOULD. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not" (1 Corinthians 10:23). And when you really understand grace that's what happens. "I can do anything, but there are some things I don't WANT to do." And when you understand just how full of the Holy Spirit you are--when you let the mind of Christ that's in you BE in you--you'll find that some of those things you thought you wanted to do... you don't even have room for them anymore. Because, like a sponge, you've absorbed Daddy's love to the point where you're full to overflowing WITH that love. When you understand that you are the light of the world, you understand that there's not darkness in you at all. You'll start to SEE clearly, and guys... what you see is what you be. What you magnify is what you manifest. So, to answer our earlier question: How do we get what's inside... out? "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Isaiah 12:3). Remember Jesus spoke of rivers of living water flowing out of our bellies? Out of our innermost being? Out of our hearts? Well... we draw it out with joy! The joy of the Lord is our strength! Let me say it this way, "Draw me, we will run after thee..." (Song of Solomon 1:4). HE draws me, and then WE (Jesus and I) run after Him. It's not what WE do, but what HE did, and what HE is doing! He fills us--FILLED US--to overflowing. What's inside FLOWS out when we believe it's in there. When we focus on HIM and His love for us. Where else could joy come from? "For we have great joy and consolation in thy love..." (Philemon 1:7). Righteousness, peace, and joy are found in the Holy Ghost, right? The same Holy Ghost that leads and guides us into all truth. The truth that Daddy loves us and has given all things into our hands! He draws us, and we draw from the well inside us with joy! Joy because of what HE did, and joy because of who WE are! Soak it up, and with joy draw it out!