Walking in the Spirit is walking in love. It seems that so often when we think of walking in the Spirit (Spirit of God) we think of the supernatural; moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, with power and signs and wonders, just as Jesus did when he walked on earth. I believe in the gifts and desire to flow in them; signs and wonders, healings and so on, which should be a byproduct of being filled with the Spirit of God.

When Jesus talked about miracles signs and wonders He said we would do greater works than he did, that is why He sent Holy Spirit.

As we partner with Holy Spirit, who works through us as we surrender to His will, we will see greater things than Jesus did on this earth.However, as a follower of Christ, we should be seeking His face and not His hand; in other words we should seek the giver of the gifts not just the gifts. I believe the gifts and callings of God belong to God, and He will give these gifts to us as He sees fit. Our responsibility is to get to know Him, fellowship with Him, and allow Him to transform us into the image of Christ as we die to ourselves. God can use us to build the Church and His kingdom when we walk in the Spirit. Father God wants our character to be like His Son Jesus. I believe God wants to build our character more than He wants to give us power to do miracles, signs and wonders.

I meet so many Christians today all caught up in "their gifts;" in other words, their identity is in their gifting, it's about doing, it's not about being a son or daughter, or having a relationship with Christ as their deepest passion. It is about them and what the gift can do for them; "I am God's gift to the Church"! That seems to be their attitude. I know Gods gifts and callings are irrevocable Rom.11:29, but I also read in Matt. 7:21-23 without a deep relationship with Christ, what does it matter on judgment day!

Are these people really walking in the Spirit? Is the love of God and people their motivation?I believe love should be the motivation of the Gifts of God, not selfishness!God is love! His Spirit is the comforter, teacher, guide: He is to fulfill Gods purpose here on earth, in us and through us, and to help us walk closer with God.Paul talks at great length about this in 1 Corinthians 13.

To walk in the Spirit, is to love God and man, using the gifts of the Spirit to build, heal, and edify His body. It is not to use Holy Spirit to give you position, or a platform to edify yourself. To walk in the Spirit is to prefer others, to think of others more highly than ours elves, truly caring about them first.

As I write this letter I am painfully aware of my own shortcomings when it comes to this kind of love, it seems to be a foreign thing in our culture today, what about me society? I need! I need! I believe love and acceptance come from God, not what we do for Him. If we sow what we need, we will reap what we sow! We can't deny that our first thoughts are for ourselves.

Let us read what Paul had to say about the gifts operating without love, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove moun- tains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing."

It seems to me that Paul is talking about attitude of the heart!So what is true love? What is truly walking in the spirit of God? What is its fruit?Gal 5:22 tells us the Fruit of the Spirit is; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.In 1Corinthians 13, Paul also tells us how walking in the gifts of the Spirit should be ministered, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away." In other words the gifts are to help us in this world, to help each other to get through our time here on earth until the Lord's return, or our death which ever comes to us first. The gifts are temporary and not everlasting, only faith, hope and love endure forever.

So now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love! If you would read 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it tells us about the last days and how society will be!

Maybe we just need to look around, could we be in such a time as this?

Remember to know Him is to love Him! To love Him is to love those that He loves!Perfect love casts out all fear, let us all walk in the Spirit, the spirit of love.May God richly bless you!