We learn in STEPS, not YEARS

The following is a letter Alan wrote to a friend, struggling with how the knowledge of the truth, becomes the steps of our hearts.  Its easy to get side-tracked, when we listen to our "own experience" of defeat, instead of the Spirits whispers of "Come."

This is the struggle we have all faced - the struggle of faith. I am confident that you will be brought into that place where you realize His desire for you is backed by His ability to you. This is why we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within. As we learn to abide in Christ or walk in the Holy Spirit (keeping in step) we begin to draw from the very life of Jesus His provision for our every need. When we need self-control - His Spirit ministers His strength to us in the very moment. This is part of learning to live THROUGH Christ who strengthens us. As we learn to live THROUGH the grace He is giving us moment by moment, we begin to be able to do ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM who strengthens us. Then we will say like Paul, I NO LONGER LIVE BUT CHRIST JESUS LIVES IN ME and the life I NOW LIVE in the body, I LIVE BY FAITH in the Son of God Who loves me and gave Himself for me.



The entire ministry of the Holy Spirit is to take everything that is so natural to Jesus and make it available to us moment by moment. This is described as "partaking of the divine nature." It is His nature, but we partake of it through receiving His help moment by moment. Part of the struggle all of us have experienced is learning to "put to death" the practices (deeds) of the body. We must be "TRANSFORMED" by the renewing of our mind to begin to discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God - moment by moment. The transformation from the mind of the flesh to the new renewed mind of the Spirit is a process -BUT that process need not take years. It takes "steps" achieved through constant practice just like the book of Hebrews states quite frankly. "Solid food is for the mature who by reason of use (by practice) have exercised their senses to discern good and evil."


The Holy Spirit will teach you how to deny the old man, and receive the grace of Christ in place of the old man's ways. Inconsistency, and apathy can lengthen this process far beyond the time it should take. That's why the writer of Hebrews stated "for though by this time you OUGHT TO BE teachers, you need someone to teach you again the rudimentary principles all over again." So, yes, it will take steps of progression. You will have to learn the ways of the Holy Spirit, but it need not take as long as it did for me. "HE WHO WALKS WITH THE WISE BECOMES WISE." If you will hear carefully and apply diligently, the process will be much shorter for you than it has been for us.