(Adapted from "Interior Castle", St. Teresa of Avila, Ignatius Press)

We are creatures, God is transcendent. We are made in the image of God, but fallen. Human nature inclined to evil, how can God unite with evil? The Incarnation made this possible. Human nature united to God. Becoming man, Jesus took our punishment for sin to free us. His living sacrifice defeated sin, and He became the mediator between heaven and earth. Gates of heaven opened to man through Jesus’ human nature. Now man through Christ can approach God without being destroyed by His Holiness.

Upon conversion, man’s spirit is united to God, but the residuals of the old self-life still remain in the corrupted soul. This is man’s responsibility, he must choose to put-off the old man and put-on the new man by the renewing of the spirit of the mind, moment to moment, day by day, year by year ( Eph. 4:22-24 ).

There are three stages of this union: justification, sanctification and glorification. Justification is the movement from dark to light, becoming sons of God; sanctification is the process of becoming conformed to the image of God through His Son; glorification begins at death ( Rom. 8:29 ).

Matt. 5:48 states we are to be complete as the Father. Matt. 7:13-14 states any way other than our single focus on the Lord Jesus Christ will not do it ( Gal. 2:20 ). Col. 3:1-10 states that we are to put to death anything that is rooted on earth. Sin becomes a god, which controls us and must be totally eradicated. Thus we begin to realize:

1. The purgation of gross sins.
2. We begin to receive illuminating light and insight and sensitivity to sins and to be aware of God’s Presence.
3. In addition to our own efforts, God begins to take the initiative in our lives.
4. This leads into the union stage, which is stable and consistent.

This is the initial turning to the Lord, seeing the horror of sin, and opening self to the mercy of God. Sense of humility and a sense of self knowledge develops but a great danger of falling back exists because serpents, lizards, and other poisonous vipers abound.

Struggle continues here in battling the gross features of snakes and vipers of all sorts, but in the process one becomes aware of less gross sins. The practice of prayer emerges to counteract falling away. Here one is learning to turn away from the occasions of sin, hearing God’s voice in His words, Distractions and discouragements are common but one becomes sensitive to the Presence of the Holy Spirit Who encourages and strengthens, and prompts to confess and repent in failures, and to start again. Here determination to proceed is critical. Don’t look for sensations or feelings, go by faith that

God is with you. It is in the dry periods where spiritual growth is deepened. Ask God for a spirit of determination.

Here is a life of basic order and stability, living a consistent christian life of tithing, of service, helping the poor, judging self, exercising mercy, daily devotions, etc. However, watch out thinking the Lord owes you something. Develop an attitude that the Lord owes you nothing. All that we have are gifts to begin with. Our salvation and all that it means are merciful gifts that we are to exercise to His glory. Don’t look for consolation in periods of dryness. Dry periods are means to purify us. Dryness reminds us what is it like to live without God. Thus, as we become rooted in God, we will be set free in time from the need of wealth, reputation, power, all that is of the world, the flesh and the devil.

However, many remain attached to things of the world, and are subject to falling back when great trials come their way. Folks who live this ordered and stable life may be inclined to look down and judge those who live a weak spiritual life instead of being the means of encouragement.

The first 3 mansions represent our self-effort, and self-emphasis. At this 4^th stage, God begins to take the initiative. Supernatural life begins here. However, poisonous creatures are still hanging around, and these temptations keep us from being anchored to God. One major danger is thinking that we are better than others. . The other fault is trying to figure out all things. Through prayer, worship and meditation, one is to seek God in all things Who will direct every thought henceforth. Our job is just to obey. God is responsible for the results, He knows the end from the beginning.

This 4th area is one of recollection and quiet entering into the realm of the supernatural life. We are to recollect who and what we are in Christ Jesus, not a focus on what we are or have done in the world. Here we begin to discern the false values of the flesh and the world and the true values of the Kingdom. .

This requires a quiet time in the Presence of the Lord, an inner calling of the Lord to help us dwell on Him. Distractions will come, don’t fight them, let them come, concentrate on the Lord. Open one’s heart to the Presence of the Lord, and not on our own preoccupations. . Here let God fills us, make room for Him, be not inclined to talk but just listen. Be in a state of thanksgiving, being grateful that you know God.

Recollection and quietness leads to this mansion of full union and complete dependence on God, giving up self and making room for God to enter our soul. This is the passive night of the senses The Lord strips and detaches us only to fill us with His Presence. The Holy Spirit works to rid self of its old ways of selfishness and self-concerns. .

Here we pray to bring our will into the union of God’s will. From this point on God takes the initiative to drive out the self-will. Even in the midst of deep trials, deep peace will prevail but one must press forward and not fall away. Union of our will with God’s will is the major event. The danger again is pride that we are superior to others. However, the evidence that this union is real is an increase of our loving our neighbor, which is a reflection of our loving God.

This stage is one of spiritual betrothal. God will not give Himself until we strongly desire Him. We will be subject to many tests and trials. Trials will increase which is God’s favor to deepen the union. Things will get tough. God will not cast pearls before swine. Sufferings of various dimensions in the physical and mental arenas will come, convincing you that you are back to zero, spiritually. You will be accused of many sins, you will be slandered, treated unjustly. All this to challenge the self-life. The Lord will give the devil license to try you, to feel lost, to lose faith, to feel abandoned, with no sense of God. In the midst, we continue in this dark night, the passive night of the spirit, waiting for the mercies of God until the light of His Presence penetrates and disperses the darkness.

Now we come to the stage of the spiritual marriage. All that Christ is, we are ( 1Cor. 1:30 ). . His virtues are mine, His wisdom and strength are mine. Gal. 2:20 is not just of the mind but of the heart and lived out in all of life’s activities. The Spirit of God fills the mind, will and emotions and directs the conduct and behaviour of the body. No more fears and doubts but we are tested time and again to remind us of our complete hopelessness without God and our complete dependence upon Him ( John 15:5 ).

The following 4 anchor posts provide a method and the means to establish a firm foundation to support the spiritual walls of growth and expansion made of discipline and structure:

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