CHAPTER FOUR

The Process of Becoming

To Become, requires sacrifice and it is birthed in the place of intimacy with God for those who are yielded enough to seek for and bear the burdens in the heart of God.

Be Reborn in the Spirit

1 John 5:1 AMP says:

‘Everyone who believes [with a deep, abiding trust in the fact] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) is born of God [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], and everyone who loves the Father also loves the child born of Him.’

Adoption into the family of God

John 1:12 AMP says:

‘But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— [Is 56:5]’

God puts His Spirit in us

Romans 8:15-16 AMP says:

‘For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God.’

Mortification of the flesh

Galatians 5:16-17 AMP says:

‘But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.’

Romans 8:13 AMP says:

‘For if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever.’

1 John 3:9 AMP says:

‘No one who is born of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, because God’s seed [His principle of life, the essence of His righteous character] remains [permanently] in him [who is born again—who is reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose]; and he [who is born again] cannot habitually [live a life characterized by] sin, because he is born of God and longs to please Him.’

Many believers struggle because they desire the promises of God without embracing the process of transformation. Yet God forms mature sons through discipline, surrender, obedience, and fellowship.

The flesh constantly wars against the Spirit. The desires of the flesh seek comfort, pride, self-exaltation, compromise, and independence from God. But the Spirit continually draws the believer toward holiness, obedience, purity, and submission to God.

The process of mortifying the flesh is painful but necessary.

God uses circumstances, correction, the ministry of His word, and the leading of the Holy Spirit to shape believers into vessels fit for His purpose.

Hebrews 12:6-8 AMP says:

‘6For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” [Prov 3:11, 12] 7You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all].’

The discipline of God is not rejection; it is evidence of sonship.

God prunes believers because He desires fruitfulness. Every mature believer must pass through seasons where God removes pride, selfish ambition, carnality, and spiritual immaturity.

Many believers desire spiritual authority, but authority in God’s kingdom is born through surrender.

Before God entrusts believers with influence, He first works on their character. Before public manifestation comes private consecration. Before spiritual authority comes brokenness.

This process cannot be bypassed.