Gospel Salvation

by Dag Heward-Mills

* * * * *

Copyright 2007 Dag Heward-Mills

Published by Dag Heward-Mills on Smashwords.

E mail Dag Heward-Mills

info@daghewardmillsbooks.org

evangelist@daghewardmills.org

Find out more about Dag Heward-Mills at:

http://www.daghewardmills.org

http://www.daghewardmills.org/healingjesuscrusade/

http://www.daghewardmills.org/lci/

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Principle No. 1: Man Is a Spirit, Has a Soul and Lives in a Body

3. Principle No. 2: The Spirit of an Unsaved Man Is Dead and Desperately Wicked

4. Principle No. 3: The Spirit of a Saved Man Is Righteous and Truly Holy

5. Principle No. 4: After You Are Born Again, Your Spirit Is a Newborn

Baby and it Must Grow

6. Principle No. 5: After You Are Saved, Your Mind Is Still the Same; it Must Be Renewed.

7. Principle No. 6: After You Are Saved, Your Body Is Still the Same; You Must Keep it Under Control

8. Principle No. 7: After You Are Born Again, Your Mind Is Still Open to

All Kinds of Thoughts; You Must Learn to Think on the Right Things

Chapter 1

Introduction

There are many people who do not understand the concept of Gospel salvation in Christ. They do not understand what exactly has happened to them in Christ and therefore, they do not enjoy their salvation. A lack of understanding often leads to confusion and sometimes backsliding. I wrote this book to bring understanding to your life. This book is all about the salvation that comes to us through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why I call it Gospel salvation.

I have broken the process of Gospel salvation into seven "easy to understand" principles. They are keys to your understanding of what Christianity is about.

When you understand these principles, you will know why there is no religion that offers what Christianity offers you.

Christianity offers a change and a recreation of the wicked heart of man.Christianity is not a new set of rules. You do not get to Heaven by obeying the "do's" and "don'ts" of human beings.

Christ will change your heart and give you power to control your body and renew your mind.

As you study these principles, I pray God gives you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

The Principles

Man is a spirit, has a soul and lives in a body.

The spirit of an unsaved man is dead and desperately wicked.

The spirit of a saved man is righteous and truly holy.

After you are born again, your spirit is a newborn baby and it must grow

After you are saved, your mind is still the same; it must be renewed.

After you are saved, your body is still the same; you must keep it under control.

After you are born again, your mind is still open to all kinds of thoughts; you must learn to think on the right things.

Chapter 2

Principle No. 1: Man Is a Spirit, Has a Soul and Lives in a Body

The fact that a human being is a spirit living inside a physical body is one of the lesser known truths. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he stated that God should affect them in all three areas: spirit, soul and body.

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

I will never forget my first day as a medical student in the dissection laboratory of the University Of Ghana Medical School. It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon when we were ushered into a large, air-conditioned room containing twelve white marble tables. On each of these tables was a dead human being lying stark naked. The dead bodies were those of ten men and two women. My friends and I gathered around one of the tables.

There were stools around each table and I sat down staring at the dead body that lay before me. His name was inscribed on his chest: Cornelius. I wondered to myself, "Who was Cornelius during his lifetime? What did he do for a living? How did he come to lie before us, ready for eighteen months of intensive dissection?"

As we sat there, our Anatomy lecturer came in. He happened to be a Christian. He said to us, "Go ahead and touch them, don't be afraid!" But in spite of his encouragement, many of us were scared by the whole scene. The Anatomy lecturer said something that has stayed with me since then. He said, "This scene should make everyone of you seriously consider what life is all about. If life just consists of the physical, then even goats are better. Because when goats die, they can be eaten, but human beings cannot be eaten."

I thought about that statement and I realized that life must consist of more than what we see physically. Man is a spirit. The Bible says that God is the Father of spirits.

…shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the FATHER OF SPIRITS, and live?

Hebrews 12:9

Man Is a Spirit

If God is the Father of spirits, then we His children are spirits. That means that our bodies are just containers of the spirit. The Bible also describes the body as a house.

For we know that if our EARTHLY HOUSE of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 5:1

Years ago, I attended a very grand funeral. Special invitation cards were issued, and dignitaries travelled across the country to be there. Interestingly, a new road was constructed in the town because of the funeral. No expenses were spared for the funeral of this great rich man. But the story of a man does not end with the funeral. Let’s take a look at the biblical account of one rich man’s life, in Luke 16.

And in hell he lift up his EYES, being in torments, and SEETH Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he CRIED [mouth/voice] and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his FINGER in water, and cool my TONGUE; for I am tormented in this flame.

Luke 16:23, 24

Notice that different parts of the body have been mentioned in this Scripture. The picture of a man is being painted here. This is interesting because other Scriptures describe the spirit of a man as the hidden man, the inward man or the inner man. The body is actually the outward man, and the spirit is the inner man. Notice the terms "inner man", "inward man", or "hidden man" in the Scriptures.

For I delight in the law of God after the INWARD MAN:

Romans 7:22

...strengthened with might by his Spirit in the INNER MAN...

Ephesians 3:16

But let it be the HIDDEN MAN of the heart...

1 Peter 3:4

Dear friend, the Lazarus who was in Abraham's bosom was the real Lazarus. That was the soul and spirit of Lazarus. Likewise, it was the soul and the spirit of the rich man that was experiencing the fires of Hell. You can verify for yourself, whether the body stays in the grave or not! The mortal remains of human beings remain on earth long after the spirit has departed to eternal life or damnation. I know that many Christians are not conscious of the reality that they are spirits, souls and bodies. Many Christians, particularly ladies, wake up in the morning and spend a long time taking a bath and getting ready for the day. Then these born-again Christians walk out of the door without even saying a prayer. When a person becomes aware of his spirit and soul, he spends time building up and developing the spirit.

Many governments are also ignorant about this great truth. They stress on education and physical fitness but they pay little attention to the real person. Man is a spiritual being first of all! The body is just a mortal container of the human spirit.

It is time for us to develop the human spirit. You can develop your human spirit by praying.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue EDIFIETH [builds up, charges] HIMSELF; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4

This Scripture tells us that when you speak in tongues you build up, charge and edify yourself spiritually. You are a spirit, you have a soul and you live in a body.

The Soul of Man

But what is a soul? The Bible makes it clear that the soul is different from the spirit. There is a dividing asunder (demarcation) between the spirit and the soul of a man.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of SOUL and SPIRIT…

Hebrews 4:12

So what exactly is the soul of a man? There are no clear definitions of the soul in the Bible. What we have are descriptions of the activities of the soul. These help us to define what the soul of man is.

The soul can be joyful and can rejoice (Psalm 35:9).

The soul can magnify and bless the Lord (Psalm 103:2).

The soul can be downcast (Psalm 42:5).

The soul can be grieved (Judges 10:16).

The soul can be discouraged (Numbers 21:4).

These are just a few of the emotions that the soul expresses. We can therefore conclude that the soul is a part of man that experiences thoughts and emotions.

You will realize that the soul of the rich man in Luke 16 was alive in Hell. The rich man had thoughts, feelings and emotions even though he was dead and in Hell. That is why he could remember Lazarus. The rich man thought things were still the same as when he was alive on earth. That is why he wanted to send Lazarus like a messenger, to proceed all the way from Heaven to Hell to serve him some water.

The rich man remembered his five brothers and pleaded with Father Abraham to prevent them from joining him in Hell. He pitied anyone who would ever go to Hell. Unfortunately, the soul of the rich man had perished in the lake of fire and he could remember, think and feel as though he was on earth. It is the soul that goes to Hell. Your spirit and your soul will suffer in Hell if you are not born again!

Listen to what Jesus said about the soul:

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL?

Mark 8:36

Never forget this reality. You are a spirit (the inner man). You have a soul (feelings, thoughts and emotions). You live in a body (the house of flesh). This is the first great principle I am sharing with you. When you know who and what you are, you will live your life in the right way and with the right attitude.

Chapter 3

Principle No. 2: The Spirit of an Unsaved Man is Dead and Desparately Wicked

When a person is not born again, he has what I call an unsaved spirit. There are many different ways the Bible describes a non-Christian. The Bible calls him an unbeliever, a sinner and an unregenerate person. It is important for you to be aware of the condition of the human spirit.

The heart [unsaved spirit] is DECEITFUL above all things, and DESPERATELY WICKED: who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:9

There are people who distinguish between unbelievers: "This is a good unbeliever and this is a bad one." But the Word of God makes it abundantly clear that all unbelievers have unregenerate spirits and are capable of great evil.

The terrible spiritual condition of an unsaved man is plainly stated in the book of Romans, chapter one. The Bible says that God's wrath is being released against the wickedness of men.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...

Romans 1:18

The human race has forsaken the living God and therefore God has given them up to become dead and darkened in their spirits.

...when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, AND THEIR FOOLISH HEART WAS DARKENED.

Romans 1:21

God has gone a step further and given up mankind so that they may follow their own degenerate desires and perverted feelings.

Wherefore GOD ALSO GAVE THEM UP TO UNCLEANNESS through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves...

Romans 1:24

Not only is the spirit of the unsaved man darkened with death but the mind of the unsaved human race has also degenerated into a depraved condition.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND, to do those things which are not convenient...

Romans 1:28

As you read further, you will discover that the sinful human race is filled with every conceivable evil. The long list of evil characteristics is there for your reading.

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Romans 1:29-31

This principle that an unsaved spirit is desperately wicked is manifest all around us. God has warned Christians against marrying non-Christians because a non-Christian has an unregenerate spirit and is capable of many evil things.

For example, covenant-breaking is common with unbelievers (Romans 1:31). Most do not stick to their word. They say, "I will" and "I do", but they won't and they don't.

It is rare to find an unbeliever who is faithful to his marriage covenant. Many young ladies struggle with their pastors’ caution against marrying unbelievers. God is trying to prevent your heart from being broken by a covenant-breaker! Believe the Bible! It is the Word of God and is profitable for our instruction.

The wicked nature of an unbeliever will manifest sooner or later. Do not be deceived by the dignified appearance of the unbeliever. Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth, "There is no art to find the mind's construction in the face."

Wickedness comes naturally to many little children. Why do children lie, cheat and steal without being taught to do so? It is because the unsaved spirit is at work again. Everyone is born into sin. That is why we sin so naturally and effortlessly even as children. Our spirits are born in sin and wickedness.

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 53:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...

Isaiah 64:6

In secondary school, I couldn't understand the manifestation of wickedness in some of the students. They devised all sorts of unbelievable punishments. As a form one student, I experienced torture at the hands of senior students. They were not KGB torture specialists; they were just seniors with an unsaved nature. Where did all their wicked ideas come from? They originated from the depraved and wicked heart of the unsaved man.

All over the world, the depraved and perverted nature of the human race is manifest. When I hear of the atrocities committed during wars I wonder, "What is happening to the human race?"

Wickedness abounds in the heart of man because the heart of the unsaved man is dead and desperately wicked. This is the nature of all mankind, be they White people or Black people.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:9

During the Liberian Civil War, we heard of people being fed to the lions. One Liberian refugee also told me how the rebel soldiers would throw little children into a well, light a fire and burn them alive. These are true accounts of what actually happened!

Why are human beings so wicked and evil at heart? Why is it that when the opportunity presents itself, we see incredible acts of savagery?

The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men...

Micah 7:2

A Lebanese man described what he experienced during the war in Lebanon. Enemy factions would amputate the limbs of their captives and dispatch the trunks (head, chest and abdomen, without legs and arms) of the people to their homes. He told me how his friend’s brother suffered this terrible fate: "The limbless man was in such a pitiful condition that my friend had to shoot his own brother to end the torture."

These acts of barbarism are manifestations of a depraved and reprobate human race. Why is the world filled with homosexuals? Why do millions of people commit fornication and adultery on a daily basis? Why does stealing, killing and injustice abound everywhere? The world has over five billion greedy, corrupt, degenerate and selfish people. God has given up the human race to its perverted way of life. It is this unsaved and degenerate people that Jesus came to the earth to save.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

This is why Jesus said a man has to be born again, because the first time round, we were born in sin and we were conceived in evil.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalm 51:5

Another term for born again is regeneration. When you are born again, your essential nature is changed.

That is why the Bible says when a man is in Christ, he is a new creature. God has to make a new creation out of the old corrupt man.

When a man dies, there is no way you can keep him at home. No matter how much you love your brother, when the condition called death lays its icy hands on him, you have to part company. The dead person must go to the mortuary and then to the grave.

Husbands and wives who love each other have to part when death lays hold on one of them. Why is this? The body of your loved one is dead. It begins to decay and degenerate. There is therefore no way by which you can stay together.

Do you remember what God told Adam and Eve? "In the day that you eat this fruit you will die." When Adam and Eve sinned, they died. The condition of spiritual death entered their spirits and there was no way God could fellowship with them anymore. He had to drag them out of the garden and separate them from Himself. The whole human race is separated from God because of sin.

Salvation breaks the wall that separates mankind from God.

…and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us...that he might reconcile both unto God…

Ephesians 2:14, 16

Before a man is born again, he is estranged from God. His nature is essentially evil. He may look good on the outside, but essentially, he has a corrupt and wicked nature.

When one man with such a nature has unlimited power, he does many evil things. A tyrant is simply an unsaved man who has unlimited power.

In every nation where there is a military dictator, inconceivable atrocities take place. People are arrested and they disappear into "thin air". Hard-earned properties are arbitrarily confiscated. Stories of torture, brutality and murder abound. Viciousness in secret and in the open, has always been the order of the day with tyrannical rulers. That is why democracy and the rule of law are important.

That is why governments are supposed to have three different independent arms: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. There is supposed to be a separation of powers. This is to prevent one group of "unsaved men" from having too much power over other human beings. However, it is unfortunate that in many cases the executive controls the legislature and the judiciary, thereby giving absolute power to a few people. When Judges are afraid for their lives and their jobs, they often cannot make unbiased decisions.

As Lord Acton (1834-1902) said in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

Christianity and Other Religions

The difference between Christianity and every other religion is simple. Christianity claims to change the essential nature of a man. Jesus makes you a new creation; a brand new creature with a brand new heart. In the Old Testament, the prophets predicted that the day would come when God would take out the stony heart and replace it with a heart of flesh.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an HEART OF FLESH.

Ezekiel 36:26

When a man is in Christ, he is regenerated; he is born again. This does not mean re-entering your mother’s womb. There is a rebirth of the human spirit.

…that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:6

Outward Changes Are Not the Answer

Obeying a set of rules does not change your heart. Coming to Christ and being born again is what affords every man the opportunity to have a new heart.

If you take a pig and wash it, bathe it and dress it up in a wedding suit, all you have is a dressed up pig. This same pig will return to the filth which it is used to because that is its essential nature.

I believe with all my heart that it is only a change in the unsaved nature of a man that can bring about a change in this world. The only hope for a dead and desperately wicked human spirit is the miracle of rebirth in Jesus Christ.

Chapter 4

Principle No. 3: The Spirit of a Saved Man is Righteous and Truly Holy

We have learned in the previous chapter that the unsaved spirit is desperately wicked and corrupt. What about the new creation? What about a man who has experienced the miracle of being born again?

The new creation is righteous and truly holy. In other words, a man who is saved has undergone a radical transformation of the heart. His spirit is now a new creation in Christ. He is not a renovated and repainted version of an old thing. He is brand new. He is indeed newly created in God.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

So what happens next? What are we supposed to do now that we are born or created again?

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUE HOLINESS.

Ephesians 4:24

This Scripture makes us know that we are actually righteous when we are born again. What God is telling us is that we must put on (act like) the new spirit which is created in righteousness and true holiness. Many times we come to God and in an attempt to sound humble, we tell Him that we are sinners and unworthy to approach His throne. But that is not the case anymore. You were a sinner. You were unworthy some time ago. But now that you are born again, you are the righteousness of God. You are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:10).

Please do not insult God's new creation. Do not think you can impress God with self-demeaning prayers.

It is time for you to acknowledge what God has done to your heart. The Bible says we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

If we are the righteousness of God, that means we cannot be more righteous than we are today. The righteousness of God is the highest form of purity and "sinlessness". God is describing the status of your new spirit.

Somebody once said, "I don't feel any different now that I'm born again!" This is not about feelings but about realities that have taken place. Can you feel your liver or your small intestines? Obviously not! But they exist within you!

If surgery was performed and your appendix was taken out, you would not feel that a part of your large intestines had been removed. But you are supposed to accept the fact of what took place in your abdomen during the surgery. Then you are to listen to the doctors' advice on how to live after surgery. In the same way, God tells you how to live after being born again. This is a spiritual operation in which God recreates your spirit. He takes out the old, hardened and depraved heart and puts in a new, righteous spirit. You don't feel it, but it is real. You are supposed to be aware of what has taken place and acknowledge it.

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 6

The Bible teaches us to acknowledge the good things that are in us because we are Christians. We are not supposed to go around saying negative things about ourselves. If you say, "I am a bad person," you are hurting yourself. If you say, "I'm stupid!" or "I am a sinner" you are saying something that is contrary to the Word of God. It's time to acknowledge good things about yourself.

Acknowledging good things will make your faith come alive. Say to yourself, "I am the righteousness of God, I'm a new person, I can make it, I am holy!" These confessions will take you out of sin into a life of practical holiness. Righteousness on the inside must work on the outside.

A born-again Christian who lives in sin is living contrary to his new nature. If you continue in sin, it is by your own choice because the power of sin is broken and God has given you a new nature. It is no longer natural to do evil; it is against your very nature as a new creation. After you're saved, the new man cries from within, “This is wrong! Don't do it!” The Bible says, “Put on the new man.”

Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed...

Colossians 3:9, 10

I became a medical doctor on the 10th of March 1989. On the 11th of March I didn't feel any different; in fact, I still felt like a student. I told myself, "Hey, you are now a doctor. Act like who you really are!" This is what God is saying to His "new creation" children: "You are new, righteous and truly holy. Act like it and walk in the newness of life."

Righteousness is not a feeling. You do not work to gain righteousness; it is impossible to attain God's standards by your own efforts.

...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...

Isaiah 64:6

Today, if you are born again, you have been instantaneously transformed into a righteous, new man. You cannot be more righteous; you can only increase your faith in your inherited righteousness. You can only practise more and more of your true nature. When you are conscious of your righteousness in Christ, you will become as bold as a lion.

The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the RIGHTEOUS ARE BOLD AS A LION.

Proverbs 28:1

Through righteousness, you will rule in this life. You will dominate the enemy through righteousness! I see you overcoming your adversaries through the gift of righteousness in Christ Jesus! Your right standing with God is truly a gift from your Heavenly Father.

…much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL REIGN in life…

Romans 5:17

Chapter 5

Principle No. 4: After You Are Born Again, Your Spirit Is a Newborn Baby and it Must Grow

When you get saved, there is no doubt that something great has happened to you, spiritually speaking. However, we must understand exactly what has happened. A spiritual baby has been birthed into the world. The Bible calls new converts spiritual babies. They are not born as spiritual giants or spiritual adults! They are just babies in spirit!

When somebody is born into this world, he starts life as a baby. It is important that he matures into an adult. There are times when people have the wrong impression about what Christianity offers.

The evangelist preaches and says, "Tonight is your night! Your life will never be the same again after today." He goes on, "After tonight, every yoke shall be broken in your life." He declares, "All you who are heavy laden must come to Jesus and He will give you rest!"

This gives a feeling of an instantaneous breakthrough. But Christianity is not an instantaneous cure to all the ills of man! Being born again is just the beginning of a long process. You must go through all the stages of growth and development. Without growth, the effect of Christ on your life is often not seen. There is very little difference between an unbeliever and a baby "born-again Christian" who has not bothered to grow. That is why we ask all converts to go to church and receive the Word so they can grow in the faith.

You must go through three important stages of development. Every Christian goes through these three stages whether he knows it or not! These are: the baby stage, the childhood stage and then the stage of mature adulthood.

The Spiritual Baby

As NEWBORN BABES, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

1 Peter 2:2

Let's talk about the baby stage. When a Christian is at the baby stage of his development, he has all the characteristics of a natural baby. All babies cry a lot. Anyone who is easily offended is an immature, spiritual baby. He is always upset about one thing or the other. Churches have babies who are offended when the pastor does not say "hello" to them or visit them. Ask yourself: Am I easily offended? Do I always have something to complain about? Perhaps you are a spiritual baby!

Baby Christians, like natural babies, are unable to control themselves. A baby defecates anytime, anywhere and in front of anyone. A spiritual baby continues to live in sin, according to the dictates of his flesh. If you are living in immorality and have no control over your flesh, then you are probably a spiritual baby. A spiritual baby cannot help himself. He needs someone to counsel him and pray for him. Can you not pray for yourself? Can you not read the Bible and seek for understanding yourself? If you cannot, then perhaps you are a baby in Christ!

The Childhood Stage

That we henceforth be NO MORE CHILDREN, TOSSED TO AND FRO, and carried about…

Ephesians 4:14

Ask yourself: Am I a spiritual child or am I a mature Christian? A child is unsteady and unstable. This is because the attention span of a child is very short. It is difficult to hold the attention of a child for more than a few minutes. If you move around from church to church every few months or years, you are immature.

There are many childlike Christians in the Church today. Initially, they are excited by the good Word. After this, they feel they need special prayers and anointing. After that, they are convinced that a holy bath is what will solve their problems. They are always sniffing for something new, and changing their minds about what they once enjoyed. In the same way, a man who constantly changes his mind about who he wants to marry is a child at heart. He is unsteady.

Another sign of a childlike Christian is that he engages in fruitless playful activity. He does not contribute to the home in any way. My children contribute nothing to the upkeep of the home. They are just happy to enjoy the provision!

A Christian who is in the childhood stage does not contribute to the growth of the church. He witnesses to no one and he invites no one to church. He does not support financially and does not pay his first and best fruits (tithes). If you are part of a church but contribute nothing to make the church grow and prosper, you are a playful child who is enjoying good sermons free of charge. You are certainly a part of the church but you contribute nothing! You only come to church when you feel like it. Indeed you are a spiritual child!

Spiritual Adulthood

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of FULL AGE...

Hebrews 5:14

At the stage of maturity, you begin to love the meat of the Word. Bible study and the teaching of the Word are what enchant your spirit. Because the church is comprised of many babies and children, you will discover that a large number of Christians are not interested in the teaching of the Word. They want something dramatic and spectacular. Crowds gather when there is a sensational minister in the house.

A mature person knows that he cannot live on signs, wonders and miracles. He knows that it is the Word that matters. A mature person understands the deep things of the Word of God.

Another important feature of a mature person is that he is skilful in the Word of God.

…everyone that useth milk is UNSKILFUL IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: for he is a babe.

Hebrews 5:13

To be skilful in the Word means that you are able to share the Word of God effectively with others. Do not make a mistake, every Christian must develop until he is able to preach and teach. It is not only pastors who are supposed to preach the Word of God. Preaching and teaching is characteristic of the mature stage of Christian development. Let this be your goal from today. Move on from there to the higher realms of ministry that God has for you!

For when for THE TIME YE OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, ye have need that one teach you…

Hebrews 5:12

How to Develop Your Spirit

"Developing your spirit" is another way to describe growing in spirit. Thousands of dollars are spent to develop the minds of the human race in schools and colleges.

That explains why we have made such great strides in science and medicine. Money and time is also used to develop the body.

There are keep fit clubs and gyms everywhere. Human bodies are being developed into grotesque muscular giants. But dear friend, you are more than a body. You are more than a mind! You are a spirit living in a body and you have a mind. You must also develop your spirit. The first key to developing the human spirit is the Word of God.

…desire the sincere milk of THE WORD, THAT YE MAY GROW thereby:

1 Peter 2:2

Let the Word of God enter your spirit through your quiet time, Bible study and Bible reading. Every Christian must have a quiet time everyday. I benefit greatly from spending time with the Lord every morning. I have received many revelations from the Lord during my quiet times. Moses had quiet times with the Lord; he went up to the mountain early in the morning to meet with the Lord. He took two tables of stone to write down the revelations that God would give him.

…Hew thee two tables of stone…And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning…and present thyself there…And no man shall come up with thee…

Exodus 34:1-3

You need to have a Moses type of quiet time. Spend time early in the morning alone with the Lord. A quiet time of Bible study and prayer is the most consistent way to feed your spirit.

Another good way of taking in the Word is by listening to tapes. The second best way by which I have fed my spirit over the years is through listening to preaching tapes. I listen to tapes all the time and I am blessed because I do. God has given pastors and teachers to perfect the saints. You can receive the Word through these anointed men of God.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17

Another way you can develop your spirit is by praying in tongues. Every Christian must develop the art of spending hours praying in the spirit. The Bible says you build up yourself in the faith when you pray in the Holy Ghost.

Praying in the Holy Ghost is the same as praying in tongues.

But ye, beloved, BUILDING UP YOURSELVES on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost...

Jude 20

Pray in tongues for an hour everyday and see what will happen in your spiritual life over the next three months. I guarantee you a change in your spiritual life if you will do this simple exercise. The Bible teaches us that you are spiritually charged and built up when you speak in tongues.

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself...

1 Corinthians 14:4

The Word and prayer will cause you to develop in the spirit and to become a giant for the Lord. Walk in these two keys of spiritual growth and nothing will be held back from you. I see God taking you out of your hiding place! I see him placing you before kings and prominent men as you develop your spirit!

Chapter 6

Principle No. 5: After You Are Saved, Your Mind IS STill the SAme; ti Must Be Renewed

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

When you are born again, God gives you a new heart but not a new mind. It is therefore the duty of every Christian to renew his mind. If you do not renew your mind, you will be a person with a new spirit and an old mind. There are many Christians who are genuine new creations but still have unrenewed minds.

If you belong to a good church which constantly preaches and teaches the Word of God, your mind will be renewed. Unfortunately, there are some people who think they know all there is to know in the Word of God.

The unconscious, incompetent person is pitiful because he does not know that he does not know! Every Christian must decide to be a constant learner of the Word of God. You must never stop learning. You will always discover things that you do not know.

Years ago I heard a pastor giving a testimony of his life. Before he was saved, he was a pornographer by profession. He acted in pornographic films and posed for pornographic photographs. Sex was his work and he didn't see anything wrong with it. He continued his lifestyle of fornication after he got born again, sleeping with one girl after the other. It never occurred to him that there was something wrong with sleeping with someone you were not married to.

One night, he was in bed with one of the girls when suddenly, a huge black figure appeared at the foot of his bed. He was terrified and thought to himself, "Something is not right!" The next day, he searched his Bible and discovered where the Word of God says fornication is wrong.

But fornication, and all uncleaness...let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints...

Ephesians 5:3

Believe it or not, this man was born again but because of his background, he did not even know that fornication was a sin. It could be that because of your background you are not even aware that certain things are sin.

I know some Christians who are prejudiced or even racist. There are pastors who are racist in their thoughts and decisions. Without even realizing it, we carry on doing wrong things although we are genuinely born again in our hearts. That is why we need the Word of God to renew our minds.

…be ye transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND…

Romans 12:2

It is actually the renewing of our minds that brings about a visible transformation. If you read the Bible, your mind will be renewed and your attitude will change. The real change we look for in Christians comes through a renewal of the mind in the Word of God. There are many Christians who do not tithe simply because their minds are polluted with wrong ideas. Some think the pastors are just using the money for their extravagant lifestyles. However, every Christian who has his mind renewed will find himself being transformed in the area of his finances.

How to Renew Your Mind

See your mind as a computer which has to be programmed. Whatever you feed into the mind is what will come out. You mind will be renewed by receiving the Word. The old thoughts and ideas will be cleared out as you receive the Word.

Now ye are clean through the WORD which I have spoken unto you.

John 15:3

Your mind is also renewed by joining the right church and learning the right things. As you receive the Word through your pastor, you will gradually experience a change in your mind.

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the WORD...

Ephesians 5:26

It is the renewed mind that will make you live out the new life. When people see the new life, they will know that something real has happened to you!

Chapter 7

Principle No. 6: After You Are Saved, Your Body Is Still the Same; You Must Keep It Under Control

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection...

1 Corinthians 9:27

When you get saved, your body is the same old body. You do not change physically. If you were tall and skinny before salvation, you will be tall and skinny after salvation. If you had long hair before you got born again, you'll still have long hair after salvation. Does this mean that nothing has happened to you? Not at all! Your spirit is recreated in God.

When people give their lives to Christ, they often believe that everything would be different from that moment. However, they get home only to realize they still have the old feelings they had before salvation. They experience lust within their bodies. The old feelings of jealousy, hatred and anger return.

The devil begins to tell them, "You are not a real Christian. You are not saved. You cannot be born again!" Satan continues to harass you and says, "If you were really born again, such a thought or feeling would never occur to you. None of the Christians sitting in this church has the kind of thoughts you have." But that is a lie! We all have thoughts and feelings that we don't want to have even though we are born again. Everyone who is born again still has to contend with the flesh. Even Paul was worried about his flesh. He knew that his flesh could disgrace him one day. That is why he kept his flesh under constant control.

...I KEEP UNDER [control] MY BODY, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Corinthians 9:27

Paul had so many visions and revelations of Jesus Christ. Paul was one of the greatest apostles, with signs and wonders in his ministry. He raised the dead and the bites of snakes had no effect on him. Paul wrote half of the New Testament. Yet, this great man was worried about his flesh. Even though he was born again, his flesh (body) was still the same. He declared that there was nothing good in his flesh.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing…

Romans 7:18

No matter who you are, you still have a body to keep under control. Have you ever seen a spirit smoking or drinking alcohol? Certainly not! It is the flesh that drinks and smokes. Have you ever seen a spirit committing fornication? Surely not! It is the flesh that does all these evil things! The works of the flesh are listed below:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have...

Galatians 5:19-21

These works are not the works of Satan or evil spirits. Mind you, these are not the works of the unbeliever's flesh. Do you have flesh? Of course you do! You have a body and so do I. That means that we are capable of this list of horrible deeds. The flesh is a real burden that we are saddled with throughout this life. That is why we have no confidence in the flesh.

...and have no confidence in the flesh.

Philippians 3:3

That is why we must be merciful to Christians who fall into sin, because when we consider our own selves, we realize that we experience similar temptations and feelings in our flesh.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Galatians 6:1

One day when Jesus comes, our bodies shall be transformed into immortal and incorruptible bodies. We will no longer be capable of sin.

...We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed… for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53

One day, I visited a friend of mine; a hardened sinner who was not interested in being born again. The Holy Spirit led me to witness to him about Christ. For the first time, he listened. When I finished, he asked me, "What must I do?" I led him in the sinner's prayer, and he said afterwards, "Dag, thank you very much. I feel I am a changed person." Then I decided to lead him to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I laid hands on him and to my surprise, he received the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues fluently. Suddenly something else happened. When I touched him, he was "slain in the Spirit" and fell on his bed. He spoke in tongues for some time. An hour later, I decided to leave.

Approximately five hours later, I returned to his apartment to see him. When I got there, I paused at the door before going in. What did I hear? My new convert was fornicating in the bedroom with his girlfriend! Oh dear! So soon after a wonderful salvation experience and the Holy Ghost baptism! I was aghast! I asked myself, "Was this man really born again? Does being born again have any effect on a person?" The answer is: “Yes, it does!” The reality was that my friend’s body was still the same and capable of committing all the sins of the flesh. As a baby Christian, he had yielded his flesh to all the old sins. His flesh had once more engaged itself in sin, because it had not been affected by the "born-again experience". Though you are born again, your flesh is still the same. Never forget this! Keep it under control, or else it will lead you into sin.

Control Your Flesh

There are practical ways by which you can keep your body under control. Firstly, be aware of the potential evil that is in your flesh. Spend time fasting on a regular weekly basis. Do not give opportunities to your flesh. What we need is wisdom to help us stay far away from dangerous enticements of the flesh.

…only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh…

Galatians 5:13

If you expose yourself to certain things, you will fall. If I expose myself to certain things, I will fall. Secondly, God said very clearly, "Flee youthful lusts." If God knew we could win the fight for fleshly control, he would have told us to fight. When God says run, then you must run! Don't stand and fight. Flee for your life! Your body is still the same. Don't trust yourself to your flesh; there is no good thing in your body. Give no place to the devil and give no opportunity to your flesh!

Neither give place to the devil.

Ephesians 4:27

Chapter 8

Principle No. 7: After You Are Born Again, Your Mind Is Still Open to All Kinds of Thoughts; Yo Must Learn To Think on the Right Things

You may be a born-again Christian who keeps your body under subjection, and renews your mind on the Word of God regularly. But your mind is still open to all kinds of thoughts from the devil. The devil will always appeal to our minds. The Bible teaches us that we must cast down imaginations.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2 Corinthians 10:5

Your mind is the battleground. Satan's most powerful tool is "suggestion". He tempted Jesus through the avenue of his thoughts.

A thought is like a bird that flies over your head. It may land on your head, but it must not be allowed to make a nest on your head. When ungodly thoughts come to you, resist them immediately. Do not be surprised when outrageous things occur to you. That is the fight of every born-again Christian; to keep your mind pure at all times.

The devil plagues us with thoughts of fear and worry. As a medical student, I saw many young patients die on the hospital ward. Soon, a spirit of fear oppressed me. I imagined myself dying of the same diseases, and I even worked out every detail of my funeral in my mind. Dear friend, fear is an oppressive spirit that works through the mind.

Whether it is worry, fear, or lust, you must learn to cast down wrong imaginations. Capture your thoughts and make them obedient to the Word of God. Resist the devil by resisting the thoughts and suggestions that come from the pit of Hell.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

The Bible tells us exactly what to think about. It tells us to think of things that are pure, holy and peaceful.

Control Your Thoughts

One of the best ways to control your thoughts is to listen to preaching tapes. Christian music and videos are good tools to help in controlling the thoughts. Do not give place to the devil. You give place to the devil when you allow evil thoughts to settle in your mind. They will oppress and obsess you until you become possessed.

A New Understanding of Salvation

Have a new understanding of the concept of salvation through these seven great principles. God will give you a new understanding that will make you grow in grace. Wisdom is the principal thing, and with it, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7-9). People with understanding are those who will experience God's victory. I see you blessed as you understand these seven great principles! I see you enjoying your salvation!

One prayer can change your life...

PRAY THIS NOW

If you want to be born again, you must ask Jesus to come into your heart and life. You must say a prayer like this and mean it from the bottom of your heart:

"Lord Jesus, I come to You as a sinner, lost and condemned to Hell.

I repent of my sins and ask for your forgiveness.

I believe with all my heart that You died on the cross and rose up again for my sins.

I open my heart to You and receive You as my Lord and personal Saviour.

Please take control of my life and make me what You want me to be.

From today, I am Yours and You are mine.

Thank You, Father for this wonderful gift of salvation,

Amen."

*******

Other Best-Selling Books by Dag Heward-Mills:

Loyalty and Disloyalty

Leaders and Loyalty

Transform Your Pastoral Ministry

The Art of Leadership

Model Marriage

Church Planting

The Mega Church

Lay People and the Ministry

These titles are also available in Spanish and/or French. Information about other foreign translations of some of the titles above may be obtained by writing to our email address.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Principle No. 1: Man Is a Spirit, Has a Soul and Lives in a Body

Principle No. 2: The Spirit of an Unsaved Man is Dead and Desparately Wicked

Principle No. 3: The Spirit of a Saved Man is Righteous and Truly Holy

Principle No. 4: After You Are Born Again, Your Spirit Is a Newborn Baby and it Must Grow

Principle No. 5: After You Are Saved, Your Mind IS STill the SAme; ti Must Be Renewed

Principle No. 6: After You Are Saved, Your Body Is Still the Same; You Must Keep It Under Control

Principle No. 7: After You Are Born Again, Your Mind Is Still Open to All Kinds of Thoughts; Yo Must Learn To Think on the Right Things