Reasoning

There is an earthly reasoning and there is a heavenly reasoning. 

Earthy reasoning is the reasoning that we inherit from Adam. It does not come from heaven but it originated in what our senses tell us. It comes from what we see, hear, touch, taste and smell. It associates reasoning with what we experience in our nature birthed in us through Adam. This reasoning is unspiritual, it is sensual. Out of it comes jealously,  rivalry,  contention, selfish ambition and this earthly reasoning causes confusion, unrest, disharmony and rebellion.

Heavenly reasoning is the reasoning that is birthed in us by the Holy Spirit.  It is birthed in us by faith and given to us by grace. It is a well spring of love, delight, desire and dependence of the Holy Spirit. This reasoning is spiritual and comes through the revelation light of the Holy Spirit in us.  Out of heavenly reasoning comes harmony, unity, hope, patience, lovingkindness and love. It is a waterfall of grace, that believes all good things come from God.

Earthly reasoning outside of Heaven's influence of the origin of unbelief.  Earthly reasoning teaches us to abide in our Adamic nature.  It says that God is distant, God is only available but I have to wake him up or do something in order for him to move. Earthly reasoning takes the place of Jesus at the cross and tells me that the cross was not good enough!

Heavenly reasoning is the foundation of God's grace and tells me that the cross was much more than enough. It's revelation  is that Christ is now alive within me and that I am now birthed into Christ. That Christ in me, is the hope of glory. Heavenly reasoning says that now heaven has come and that the Kingdom of God is now within me.

The difference between Earthly reasoning and Heavenly reasoning is the finished work of Christ.  It is the difference between faith and unbelief. It is the difference between union with Christ and separation in my mind. How I view the world is the difference between Earthly reasoning and Heavenly reasoning.

Christ’s Death is the Key to Contentment

This statement seems almost unbelievable, that the key to true contentment is found in the finished work of the cross. Everything about us tells us that contentment is found when we lack nothing. But the Bible tells us in the letter to the Philippians, that contentment is found in the one who gives us strength - “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4 : 11-13).

Paul here presents himself as an example of a man who has learned to be content in times of plenty and in seasons of lack. What was the secret to Paul’s contentment, that “ He could do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” He found everything he wanted in the person of Christ, for in Christ Paul discovered that he lacked nothing.  In his own words, he had been crucified with Christ and he was now seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Through the death of Christ he had been planted into the ocean of God’s grace.

Contentment is an awakening that when Christ died on the cross, we died. The key to Christ-centred contentment is the cross. When you let the finished work of the cross invade and overwhelm your life, the enchantment of the world is broken. You are dead to the world, and the world is dead to you. Or to put it in real terms, you are a New Creation. The old you is dead. A new you is alive – a you filled with Holy Spirit, overflowing with the glory of God and overwhelmed by the majesty of God.

Being dead to the world means that our hearts run and abide in the blessings of the cross and finished work of the cross is the motivation and joy of our lives. For the greatest satisfaction and contentment is found in the death and resurrection of Christ.