The Holy Spirit and Reality

The Christian life seemingly involves many out ward matters and things, such as baptism, the breaking of bread, worship, praise, prayer, for-giveness, humility, and love for one another. As such, it is easy to focus on these things but miss the spiritual reality behind them. This reality is the Holy Spirit. Apart from the Holy Spirit, who is the spirit of reality, all of these things, no matter how faithfully practiced. Are merely out-ward conduct that is devoid of any real inward spiritual content. In the Holy Spirit and reality Watchman Nee speaks of the believers' need to advance from outward practices to a genuine, spiritual living that is centered on knowing and experiencing the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is actively working to reveal himself to us and to discipline us so that we may be guided into all the reality. The revelation of the Holy Spirit shows us the spiritual reality, while the discipline of the Holy Spirit leads us, through the ordering of our environment. Into all spiritual reality. Watchman nee concludes with a sobering word of warning on the danger of being self-deceived as to our true condition before the lord.