…all flesh, wherein is the breath (Heb. RUACH: spirit) of life… Gen 6:17 NKJV

I’ve often said that it takes five years of study and growth to master the field of the discerning of spirits, the spirit realm. I think I have grossly underestimated that timetable.

Consider the field of the human spirit or the spirit of life. How can biological twins who have been separated from birth still dress alike and even tell the same jokes? It’s not the Holy Spirit, or demons. It’s the spirit of man. What about the bond between a mother and her birth child? What is intuition? What makes a flock of birds, or a school of fish, turn as one in flight or swimming? If they were following a ‘lead’ bird or fish, there would be a ripple effect but no…they turn as one. I watched from a tower once as perhaps three hundred Canadian geese rose into the air as one, and slowly and majestically flew to another field and settled in. How does that happen? Were they all wearing earbuds and got a simultaneous command from the goose general? It must be the spirit of life.

The physical realm and the spiritual realm are so closely bonded as to be one great reality. Jesus said, the kingdom of God is within you. Where? Next to my spleen? No, since he was speaking to someone who was not born again, it has to be in the general concept of the spirit of man. Stay with me here! I’m going to make this simple, but I’m trying to expand your thinking about the spirit realm.

There is a harmony in our lives, in our relationships when we are led by the Spirit. In speaking at conferences, I have observed that when there is a sweetness between the speakers then the messages become seamless, as each dovetails into the other, the fruit of being led. In order to be led, lets dive into some of the great principles of the love of God!

I just read of a study that says the greatest predictor of your health in your eighties is the quality of relationships that you have in your fifties. If you love, and are loved; if someone is special to you and you are to them; if you love and bond with others, you’re going to be much healthier. Science and the Bible…wow, its amazing how well they fit together! Could it be…?

Therefore if there is any consolation (Grk. PARAKLESIS: comfort, encouragement) in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship (Grk. KOINONIA – full sharing, partnership, intimate unity) of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,

Philippians Two is the Lightbearers chapter (v.15). Verse One starts off with the great source of all real love – the Godhead. The great root of all discord is fear which is rooted as well in the fear of death (Heb. 2:15). Our God is the God of all PARAKLESIS (Rom.15:5) who gives us the assurance of eternal life that we can be delivered from the fear of death, so we can live in harmony because we are not terrified within our hearts. Holy Spirit is the token of our eternal life. And, how do you KNOW that you have Holy Spirit? You speak in tongues. When you realize that speaking in tongues gives you the absolute tangible assurance that you have eternal life, it will be a pivotal day in your quest to overcome all ungodly fear. When you don’t have fear, when you are secure in your heart, then you are free to love.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship (Grk KOINONIA) one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 NKJV

KOINONIA is not used in the Gospels. In fact its not mentioned until after the new birth, Christ in you, was available, in Acts 2:42. Could it be that people couldn’t have KOINONIA with each other until they were first born again, and had true KOINONIA with God? Which begs the question, what does it mean to have KOINONIA with God? First and most basic is that His life, His nature and all of its fullness, is born within your spirit at the time you truly accept Him, the new birth (Romans 5:5). Then it’s a walk, where we share life together, my agreeing with Him and Him agreeing with me, life without the tension of trying to please Him, because we already are (pleasing to Him)! Do you see it?

2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded (Grk. TO AUTO PHRONEO – having the same thoughts), having the same love, being of one accord (Grk SUMPSUCHOS, equal souls), of one mind.

Our likemindedness brings fullness of joy to our Father, ABBA. What does it mean to be likeminded? I was taught that it meant conformity of opinion. We all like strawberry ice cream, so we were the church of strawberry ice cream, and by God you better enjoy strawberry ice cream – not chocolate! – if you want to walk with us! No, sorry! It does not mean conformity of opinion. What it does mean in effect is a ‘conformity’ of love and respect for one another, where we truly are willing to speak to each other, and truly are willing to listen to each other. Real listening is the key here. Our pathway of communication stays greased with love – that’s likemindedness. Then we seek to greet one another (Romans 16), especially those who don’t like our strawberry ice cream, to keep our pathway of likemindedness open. A wink to Henry Hon for this paragraph!

SUMPSUCHOS – EQUAL SOULS. What does that mean?

We love titles, don’t we? A title says, I’m important, I’m special, I’m unique and you are not. A title then becomes a barrier to respect and the elevation of others. Other times we may not have titles outwardly, but we have them inwardly. You are taught in sales training that everyone in some ways thinks they are better than you, and the trick is to use that to your advantage. In Bible college we were subtly taught that we were the best of the best, the tip of the spear. But we began failing to make the sacrifices necessary to maintain any sharpness, so that belief, if it had any validity at all initially, was lost completely in the end.

Equal souls – what does it mean? There are two ways to look at value. There is intrinsic value and there is utilitarian value. Intrinsic value says that all within a classification have the same worth, the same value. Utilitarian value says that one, or some, within a classification may have more value than others in a case-by-case basis. Let me explain. A chef will value all his utensils equally – intrinsic value – but when it comes to cutting meat, they may value a sharp knife over a spoon or ladle – utilitarian value. When we have equal souls, we strive to value each one equally, but we realize that each will have unique gifts and ministries that must be developed and allowed to shine as well. The person who lives the concept of equal souls makes everyone special, everyone important, all the time, as they are able. Do you see the love of God that enables us to be led by the Spirit?

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind (Grk. TAPEINOPHROSUNE low or humble orientation of mind, mindset) let each esteem others better than himself.

TAPEINOPHROSUNE positions you to receive the maximum favor from the Lord, and from people. It’s the mindset of a true servant. The Word teaches us wonderful things about ourselves as new creations in the Kingdom. We are sons and daughters of the living God, princes and princesses in the royal family of God. But just as Jesus laid aside His glory to become a man, we lay aside our glory to be servants and to lift others up in love. The Lord truly surrounds me with people who are better than I am, starting with my wife. The way to stay out of selfish ambition or conceit is to stay in constant communication with them, allowing them to judge my motivations and attitudes. Iron sharpens iron!

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Phil 2:1-4 NKJV

I only have two rules for traveling with other saints. Number one is that we take care of one another. Number two is that we have a lot of fun. If we meet those two criteria, we are going to be successful in our ministry together, because love without stress will allow the Spirit to move in power.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21 NKJV

Our oneness, our harmony, our KOINONIA with the Lord and with each other releases the greatest possible effectiveness of the Spirit of God and allows the world to see that ABBA sent Jesus to be the Gift of eternal life to the world. This harmony can be ours when we seek the great principles of the love of God as we are led by the Spirit. KOINONIA will make you happier and healthier, and give you a little taste of Heaven this side of Glory. Amen? Love you!

Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…