There is sin in our old personality. It is hopelessly corrupt. God has assigned our entire first personality to the cross so He may destroy the sin that is entwined in it.

At first we are in "water to our ankles." God deals with some aspects of our personality, perhaps with profanity or smoking cigarettes. We are to give up that which God indicates and permit the Life of Christ to take its place.

If we are diligent in "water to the ankles" we are led to "water to the knees." This time God may be dealing with our habit of criticizing people. If we take our critical spirit to the cross the compassionate, understanding Nature of Jesus will be formed in that part of our personality.

If we are diligent in "water to the knees," God will take us further. Now He may point out our personal ambition, perhaps in the ministry or in some other area. He may probe even deeper and ask us to surrender some relationship or situation we desire intensely. Will we give God what He requests?

If we, as Abraham, are obedient to God in every area, we are brought into "waters to swim in," into life immersed in the Spirit of God. Soon we are brought to the "bank of the river" and are planted there as a tree of life. We have become a life-giving spirit.

In the Day of the Lord, the life-giving spirits will bring eternal life to the dead sea of mankind.

Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. (Ezekiel 47:7,8)

To be a living spirit would be marvelous beyond all marvels. But how much better to be a life-giving spirit!

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (I Corinthians 15:46-49)

When preparing His sons, the rulers of the endless ages to come, God does not put them immediately into powerful bodies. First God desires to test them in the realms of humility, faithfulness, and obedience. God does this by putting them in bodies that humble them. Our present bodies are not the Kingdom of God but a prison in which we are brought low and taught that man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

To be continued.