You Can't Go To First Grade If You Haven't Graduated From Kindergarten

 

 

Are you walking in the first Principles Of Spirituality?

Let this message be a determining factor to see exactly where you stand in your walk with the Lord.

 

We all understand that we cannot jump from levels A to E without passing through levels B, C, and D.

 

Many believers are complacent and satisfied with their Christian walk. Should they be? Or should they be alarmed at how they oftentimes "fall short of the glory of God"?

 

Within this message, we would like to deal with the First Principles of Spirituality - principles which should be operating in every Christian's life.

 

Prayerfully go through these Principles and allow the Holy Spirit to show you where you need growth and room for improvement.

 

1. Gives God The Worship Due His Name

 

Psalm 95:6 - "O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker."

 

There is no question as to why this would be the first principle to be considered. It calls for the humble reverence and holy awe of God. It demonstrates an acknowledgment of His utmost supremacy.

 

This person knows the grave distance there is to be between him and God. He demonstrates that knowledge through his outward expressions of reverence, sobriety, and humility. There is nothing casual, trivial, or light about his worship of God.

 

He is not afraid or ashamed to prostrate himself in a posture depicting profound reverence - to bend low, crouch, bend the knee, or lay before the Lord in humble adoration.  

 

2. Fixes His Thoughts On God Throughout The Day

 

Isaiah 26:3 - "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."

 

This principle deals with a Christian's state of mind throughout the day.

 

This man is under the government of God. How do we know this?

 

Because his mind - thoughts, imaginations, and plans - is supported by God. Hence, he enjoys a holy serenity which is demonstrated by an overwhelming peace - no matter what the circumstances, times, or events happening around him.

 

An undisturbed perfect peace as well as a substantial confidence and trust in the Lord and His promises is this man's portion. He knows no agitation or unrest. No one or nothing can disturb him or steal his peace.

 

3. Does Not Follow The Dictates Of His Flesh Or The World But The Dictates Of The Holy Spirit 

 

John 14:17 - "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

 

The "world" - all those who heavily attend to the dictates of their corrupt passions and lusts and are addicted to the pursuits of pride, ambition, and pleasure - does not recognize the impressions of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Their inordinate love for the things of this world hinders His work.

 

On the other hand, the believer "receives" and "sees" the Holy Spirit as the "Spirit of Truth" - leading and guiding him into all truth - while exposing falsity, removing error, teaching the knowledge of the true and living God, showing the way to His heart, and saving from all delusion, deception, and false hopes. This Christian is made pure, peaceable, holy, and humble - more like Jesus and unlike the world and Satan - through His sacred influence.

 

4. Allows The Word  Of God To Show Him Up For Who He Really Is 

 

Psalm 119:105 - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

 

This man recognizes that the Word is a "lamp," "light," and candle. Hence, he is not reluctant in any sense of the word to use that "lamp" to show him what is amiss in his spiritual walk, expose the obstructions that lie in his path or the danger that is all around him, or to direct his every step. He does nothing without first consulting the Word for counsel and wisdom.

 

5. Loves God Unreservedly and Entirely

 

Deuteronomy 6:5 - "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

 

There is no doubt in any one's mind that this person loves God. It shows!

 

In what ways?

 

He is totally sold-out to the Lord and His purposes. He delights in Him and strictly depends upon Him for everything. He derives great pleasure in thinking of Him, hearing from Him, speaking to Him, and serving Him. He loves God above any other person or thing. He considers Him to be his Best Friend.  

 

6. Obey His Commands

 

Joshua 22:5 - "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

 

This love for God is demonstrated through this person's moment-by-moment choice to - follow God's ways and not his own...walk so closely with Him - having all affections and passions united to Him - as to feel cemented to Him...as well as surrender his entire life to Him.

 

7. Gives God The Firstfruits Of Each Day

 

Psalm 5:3 - "My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD: in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."

Psalm 119:147 - "I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in Thy word."

 

This person has the understanding that that which occupies the mind on awaking will most likely linger and control throughout the day. Hence, he would never think to begin his day without first spending quality time alone with God - allowing divine things to saturate his mind, affections, and will. 

 

Like an archer who places his arrow in his bow and directs it toward the mark, this man's focus in prayer is determined. His is not an unstable stance - wavering to and fro like the waves of the sea. He addresses God with a fixedness and steadiness - aiming at His glory and honor and praise - while all along hoping in His promises.  

 

Because he gives God his firstfruits - the time favorable for devotion when his mind is fresh, clear, calm, still, quiet, and in its best frame,  God - in turn - gives him His best - the answer to prayer.

 

Through His meditation in the Word, he learns how to speak the language of God, communicates more readily, comfortably, and confidently with Him, and receives unbelievably-swift answers to prayer.

 

8. Sets His Heart On Heaven And Not On This World

 

Colossians 3:1 - "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

 

Jesus is in Heaven - seated at the right hand of God the Father in the seat of power. This man yearns to be in the place where Jesus is.

 

Therefore, he makes heaven his scope and aim - constantly directing his pursuits and affections in that direction - and allowing the Holy Spirit to make him spiritually ready to spend all of eternity there. 

 

9. Trusts In God Completely

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

 

This man understands the simple truths that God is the Fountain of all good, man desperately needs God, and nothing ruins mankind more than self-sufficiency and self-dependence.

 

Consequently, he starts, continues, and finishes every work with his eye toward God. At every turn, he earnestly prays for His direction and counsel. With every project,  he looks for the Almighty's continual support and approval.

 

After reading through these nine elementary Principles, what can be said of your spirituality?

Just how spiritual are you?

Are you ready to graduate to the next level, or do you still need some remedial work?

 

Have you placed the worship of God on the top of your list? How do you worship Him? Do you bow, kneel, or fall upon your face before Him? Some have lost the holy and awesome reverence for Him and the things pertaining to Him and His Kingdom. Have you? Do you still realize that there is and always will be a huge distance between you and Him - that He is forever immortal and you are mortal?

 

Is your life surrounded by a noticeable peace? Are you a person of peace? Or are you contentious and always full of strife? Can others recognize in your life a solidity because of your confidence and trust in the Lord? How do you normally react to "evil tidings"? When things go wrong, do you lose your peace? Are you able to stay in peace throughout the day or can any demon or devil-inspired man come along and steal it from you?

 

You are either following the world or the Holy Spirit. One is leading you into error, lies, and bondage while the other is leading you into truth. Which direction are you headed? Are you embracing the truth more each day or contending with it? Are you acknowledging the Spirit of God's influence in your life? Is it noticeable to others? Do you heavily lean on His assistance throughout the day?

 

How important is the Word of God to you? Is it a "lamp" that you resort to constantly to help you along the way? Are you allowing it to show you up for who you really are? When was the last time that you studied your Bible?

 

Is Jesus your one and only "exceeding great joy"? Is your life filled with joy in serving Him? Do you get great pleasure in seeking Him? Does He have your whole heart? Are you sold-out to Him or are there reserved areas that you seem to be hiding from Him? Do you love Him enough to obey Him - to lay aside your desires for His?

 

Do you start your day with Jesus? Do you give Him the firstfruits - the time when you are fresh and in the best frame of mind? Or do you wait until the end of the day when you are totally exhausted and spent?

 

Where have you set your gaze - on this world or heavenward? Which place occupies your mind? On which topic - earthly or heavenly - does your conversation - without fail - fall? Are you homesick for heaven? Do you have a yearning to be with Jesus or has this world and its pleasures stolen your heart?

 

Lastly, do you recognize your grave need for God? Or do you consider yourself to be self-sufficient and self-dependent?  Do you try to solve your own problems or do you instantly run to the Lord with them? Can others notice your total dependency on Him? In what ways?

 

Just how spiritual are you?

Did you pass the test?

What was your grade?

Are you ready to graduate to the First Grade?