Daily Bread 2011 - Galatians 5
Daily Bread 2011 – Galatians 5
Life by the Spirit
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
What Does This Mean?
Galatians 5 is a classic summary of the Christian life, which is defined by Paul as “Life by the Spirit”. The Holy Spirit is the means or agency for us to live the new life in Christ. Verse 16 is an absolutely, incredible promise that you will want to memorize. Do you hear what it says? “If you live by the Spirit. you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Wow!
The passage goes on to list the obvious manifestations of the sinful nature. It looks like a recap of our nightly news unfortunately. Then, verse 22 gives us another mind blowing description of what our new life in Christ will look like. This is the classic “fruits of the Spirit” passage. In it, we see what our life should look like as we come under the increasing influence of the Holy Spirit. Meaning when we are living under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit, our life will be characterized by these traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I always joke that “self-control” is last for a reason!
What Does This Mean For Us?
It means if we want to get serious about the transformation God has called us to, that we will begin to understand how to “live by the Spirit”. It means if we try to manage this process by our own free will, we will never see the freedom God intends for us to experience. It means that these are the characteristics that will define how Christians behave, treat each other, and how they interact with those in the world. It means that this is what will draw people to our churches, as they begin to see these “other worldly” traits being manifested in ordinary people like you and me!
Friends, if you are not experiencing any of these fruits of the Spirit there is a problem. God does not want us to live under the slavery of their opposites, which are the outcome of the sinful nature. If you will notice these are the same qualities that Jesus exhibited in all of his relationships with his disciples, friends and those in the world. These are the qualities of the “eternal kind of life” that begins now and will continue when the Lord calls us home! This is God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven, where God’s rule or reign is exhibited in our lives through the power of His Spirit! Sound good, yes it does! May we each discover each day this wonderful new “Life by the Spirit”!
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Spirit to show us the eternal kind of life. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we might represent You in the world in way that draws people to the love You have for them in Christ Jesus, Amen.
Life by the Spirit
16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
What Does This Mean?
Galatians 5 is a classic summary of the Christian life, which is defined by Paul as “Life by the Spirit”. The Holy Spirit is the means or agency for us to live the new life in Christ. Verse 16 is an absolutely, incredible promise that you will want to memorize. Do you hear what it says? “If you live by the Spirit. you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Wow!
The passage goes on to list the obvious manifestations of the sinful nature. It looks like a recap of our nightly news unfortunately. Then, verse 22 gives us another mind blowing description of what our new life in Christ will look like. This is the classic “fruits of the Spirit” passage. In it, we see what our life should look like as we come under the increasing influence of the Holy Spirit. Meaning when we are living under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit, our life will be characterized by these traits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I always joke that “self-control” is last for a reason!
What Does This Mean For Us?
It means if we want to get serious about the transformation God has called us to, that we will begin to understand how to “live by the Spirit”. It means if we try to manage this process by our own free will, we will never see the freedom God intends for us to experience. It means that these are the characteristics that will define how Christians behave, treat each other, and how they interact with those in the world. It means that this is what will draw people to our churches, as they begin to see these “other worldly” traits being manifested in ordinary people like you and me!
Friends, if you are not experiencing any of these fruits of the Spirit there is a problem. God does not want us to live under the slavery of their opposites, which are the outcome of the sinful nature. If you will notice these are the same qualities that Jesus exhibited in all of his relationships with his disciples, friends and those in the world. These are the qualities of the “eternal kind of life” that begins now and will continue when the Lord calls us home! This is God’s kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven, where God’s rule or reign is exhibited in our lives through the power of His Spirit! Sound good, yes it does! May we each discover each day this wonderful new “Life by the Spirit”!
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Spirit to show us the eternal kind of life. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we might represent You in the world in way that draws people to the love You have for them in Christ Jesus, Amen.
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