ongoing intimate exchange

    That which is of the flesh is flesh; spirit, spirit. Is our approach to the word the education of our minds for improving our judgment? If so, then we are philosophers, not disciples. Instead we should seek to fill our hearts at all times with the truth, so that His Spirit can be fruitful with it, accomplishing His purposes in our lives.
    Philosophy means, love of wisdom. unfortunately for man this means love of foolishness, because man's wisdom is astronomically separated from God's wisdom. In short, it is rejection of Jesus' leadership of our lives, rejection of His good judgment, seeking instead a 'way' of life governed by our own judgment, eliminating the need for trust, love. 
    Sadly, it seems much of the western church has this approach to Christ, as I did until recently, taking everything they learn of Him, even by revelation of the Holy Spirit, and using it in an attempt to mold a Christian philosophy by which they can rule their lives. I do not say that they understand that this is what's happening, or that it is willful continuance of self rule vs. surrender.  We act as if He can't see our hearts, as if He doesn't know our thoughts. Our problem is simply, that we don't believe. 
    If you must have a philosophy, it is this, trust in His word, becoming its expression to heaven and earth. Our fruitfulness when approached with philosophical inquiry is not built up by much study of man's wisdom, but by immersion in the the truth, keeping in our hearts a ready supply for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him to draw upon, preparation for hearing the Spirit's response to some poor soul's heart, not his argument. Should we 'convert' even areas of our own lives, by reason rather than by hope in Him, we have done possibly the greatest injustice. There is only one reasoning of value, that which exalts Him as one who Is, and is a rewarder of those that continue to seek Him. 
    Once we become enlightened to a higher calling, and purpose, we can easily note the futility of earthly toil. We quickly lament over an ecclesiastical world view crying, vanity! Nothing has purpose but that which has eternal purpose. Toward the eternal disposition of human souls is the only labor with any lasting product, infinite reward, their eternal life! Distress would have us lost, desperate, without hope for finding His purpose for our lives in this world. The truth is the exact opposite, that our lives carry His purpose to the world. 
    Whatever we do, we do not as unto men, but as unto the Lord. We live hungry for the word of life, working in this world, not to be filled with its fruit, but to fill it with ours (His goodness). We embrace His good pleasure in our labor to His glory, enduring not toward satisfaction, drunkenness in the best offerings of this age, but strengthened, filled with the fullness of His Spirit to overflowing.  Our joy abounds, seemingly without explanation to the natural eyes of man, but full of the truth and abiding with His Spirit, we are ready with an answer. They see us meet threatening circumstances without fear because our hope is sure, calamity with gladness, because we really do know that all things work for our good. 
    As I remember the condition of my heart not long ago now, I wonder if having read such as this is I might be pressed with a greater frustration than before. Often I find myself relieved of pressures which I'm convinced I understand yet haven't any answers to, in exchange for those having qualities with which I am unfamiliar, deepening the troubled disposition of my soul. This is the mercy of God, that my mind is incapable of offering a reasonable objection to trusting in His loving leadership. He is with you. 
    His original instruction to us was, Be fruitful and multiply. To that Christ added,Take up your cross and follow me. So, what must we do? Decide how and where we'd like to live as dead and be fruitful as one barren. We are to love without regard for personal loss, and work diligently without regarding ourselves as having brought forth anything, but this is possible only by our trust in the ongoing intimate exchange of all with the Father, through Jesus, by His Spirit.