Reversal of the Old Order of Our Lives

 The following is from Jessie Penn-Lewis' book Prayer and Evangelism:

"It is in spirit, not in body:  'he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.'  This is a union of spirit with the ascended Lord.  It means a reversal of the old order of our lives, when the outward life ruled us, or we were dominated by our feelings, emotions, the soulish life of nature.

"When we are joined to the Lord in one spirit, the body becomes the slave, and the soul life becomes the vessel in which the spirit reigns, indwelt and empowered by the Spirit of Christ; a channel through which He can work in the world.

"God's order of precedence is, spirit, soul, body.  'I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection,' said Paul, for his spirit was joined to the ascended Lord, and he had learned how to take his place 'in the heavenlies in Christ,' and work from that position of victory.

"Christ is above the plane of the 'rulers of this darkness,' and He does not want us to walk in the mists of earth.  Many of God's children are depressed and discouraged.  They need to apprehend their position in Christ, and hold it by faith, refusing to come down."