What Does It Mean To Be "Spirit-Led"?
If I were to pick one text that is the clearest teaching on the Christian life, I would pick John 15 from the Gospels, and this one from the letter to Galatians. The presenting problem in Galatia was the Jewish believers were demanding newly converted Gentile men to be circumcised. Paul is furious with them for so easily going from Gospel to Law. From freedom back to bondage. Paul reminds them that there is no way to be right with God except through what Jesus has done on the cross.
But in chapter 5 he answers the "so what" question. Meaning what does all this doctrinal clarification mean for our lives. How do we use our freedom to serve Christ, rather than indulge the sinful desires? Wouldn't it be worse having been set free from sin to return to it and disregard what Jesus had done for you on the Cross. And so Paul gives us the only real way to live out our faith, and not return to the legalism of the law, nor the indulgence of the flesh. Meaning, I'm forgiven so I will just do what I want!
So what is the secret then? What way does Paul give us to actually live out our calling "after we are saved"? Well verse 16 sums it up pretty clearly when he states, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Meaning if you think you can do this in your own power you are going to be very frustrated. As they say in A.A., "I am powerless". But where do we have power? It is the promised Holy Spirit that Jesus tells his diaciples they will receive when he is gone. And the same power that came upon the Holy Spirit to change the disciples in dynamic ways is given to us from Jesus. Jesus says in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing." But with the gift of the Holy Spirit the disciples could actually carry out what Jesus called them to do.
Paul concludes by saying, the acts of the sinful nature are obvious. If we need a recent example just look at Baltimore. Or, please excuse me because I am as big as a sports fan as anyone and generally think they make too much money. But really 160 million dollars to one man dancing around a boxing ring for a few rounds. That is $83,333 a second. Something is seriously wrong there and I might even say "sickening". Just my opinion. But the bottom line is Paul's teaching is for all of us because we all continue to struggle against our sinful nature.
Yet, there is another way to live. And it doesn't cost us anything. In Galatians 5:22 we see what walking in the power of the Spirit looks like. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness to name a few of the tangible results. Does anyone think the world doesn't need more of those qualities in ourselves and the people around us. But yet why does the Spirit led life seem so elusive?
I think is mainly because most of us have never been seriously taught how to live a Spirit led life, even if we were interested. When you bring up the Holy Spirit most people think of speaking in tongues and not many want to "walk in that". But how about if walking with the Spirit had something to do with living our lives as Jesus did. If it is the Spirit of Jesus, doesn't it make sense that this we would look just a little bit more like Jesus. And, of course, if it is His Spirit, we can't very well boast about how holy we are. Why? Because it is a gift just like salvation is is a gift.
So what do you think about all of this? What would it look like for you to live a Spirit led life? When I have observed this sort of thing in my life there are two things I have observed. One it was easy. Meaning it was not burdensome. Secondly, the results were obviously not from me, but the fruit of being connected with Jesus through his Spirit in me. And I would say those times in my life have been pretty sweet!
Galatians 5:16-26
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh 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, forbearance, 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 flesh 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.
But in chapter 5 he answers the "so what" question. Meaning what does all this doctrinal clarification mean for our lives. How do we use our freedom to serve Christ, rather than indulge the sinful desires? Wouldn't it be worse having been set free from sin to return to it and disregard what Jesus had done for you on the Cross. And so Paul gives us the only real way to live out our faith, and not return to the legalism of the law, nor the indulgence of the flesh. Meaning, I'm forgiven so I will just do what I want!
So what is the secret then? What way does Paul give us to actually live out our calling "after we are saved"? Well verse 16 sums it up pretty clearly when he states, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Meaning if you think you can do this in your own power you are going to be very frustrated. As they say in A.A., "I am powerless". But where do we have power? It is the promised Holy Spirit that Jesus tells his diaciples they will receive when he is gone. And the same power that came upon the Holy Spirit to change the disciples in dynamic ways is given to us from Jesus. Jesus says in John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing." But with the gift of the Holy Spirit the disciples could actually carry out what Jesus called them to do.
Paul concludes by saying, the acts of the sinful nature are obvious. If we need a recent example just look at Baltimore. Or, please excuse me because I am as big as a sports fan as anyone and generally think they make too much money. But really 160 million dollars to one man dancing around a boxing ring for a few rounds. That is $83,333 a second. Something is seriously wrong there and I might even say "sickening". Just my opinion. But the bottom line is Paul's teaching is for all of us because we all continue to struggle against our sinful nature.
Yet, there is another way to live. And it doesn't cost us anything. In Galatians 5:22 we see what walking in the power of the Spirit looks like. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness to name a few of the tangible results. Does anyone think the world doesn't need more of those qualities in ourselves and the people around us. But yet why does the Spirit led life seem so elusive?
I think is mainly because most of us have never been seriously taught how to live a Spirit led life, even if we were interested. When you bring up the Holy Spirit most people think of speaking in tongues and not many want to "walk in that". But how about if walking with the Spirit had something to do with living our lives as Jesus did. If it is the Spirit of Jesus, doesn't it make sense that this we would look just a little bit more like Jesus. And, of course, if it is His Spirit, we can't very well boast about how holy we are. Why? Because it is a gift just like salvation is is a gift.
So what do you think about all of this? What would it look like for you to live a Spirit led life? When I have observed this sort of thing in my life there are two things I have observed. One it was easy. Meaning it was not burdensome. Secondly, the results were obviously not from me, but the fruit of being connected with Jesus through his Spirit in me. And I would say those times in my life have been pretty sweet!
Galatians 5:16-26
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh 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, forbearance, 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 flesh 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.
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