Gal. 5 : 16.
Walk (live) in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Traditionally, believers have placed the emphasis on the second half of this verse, something like this: “Thou shalt not fulfill the lust of the flesh”.
Avoid disobedience, be careful to keep all God’s commandments,(and often some man-made ones as well).
The problem has been and still is, that we become so pre-occupied with being obedient and keeping commandments and avoiding fleshly lusts, that walking in the Spirit ends up on the backburner of our daily lives.
The irony of it all is that our avoiding to live a sinful life is not the same as walking in the Spirit.
The truth of the matter is that when we focus on the second half of this directive of Scripture, our minds are focussed on the sin to be avoided and my own ability (or inability) to do the avoiding.
Just the opposite of what walking in the Spirit is all about.
And we are just not aware that when we concentrate on “Walking in the Spirit”, then avoiding walking in the flesh is really not such a problem, because we can set our mind on only one thing at the time.
We know by experience what it means to fulfill the lust of the flesh, that is no mystery. Even though I wonder if we really grasp the full extend of that reality.
Walking in the Spirit is often a different matter.
Most Christians seem to believe that walking in the Spirit is to love God, keep all his commandments, daily ask for forgiveness of all sins, love your neighbor and be witnesses for the cause of Christ, among many others.
Trying to do all that, and trying to do all that in a God pleasing way is a recipe for constant failure, frustration, guilt and misery.
Not at all how God would desire for us to live our Christian life.
I would like to suggest that walking in the Spirit is a constant, moment by moment awareness of certain truths about God and his relationship to his children as revealed in the Scriptures.(1)
Much like the awareness of some other truths about ourselves, like the identity of our parents, spouses, children, home address, etc.
Then, what would be those Scriptural truths or realities?
First, that Jesus’ blood was shed for a COMPLETE remission of ALL my sins, past, present and future.(2)
Secondly, that when Jesus died, I died with him and that through his death and resurrection I received a new eternal life.(3)
That my heavenly Father is my provider, regardless of my circumstances.(4)
That He is the Source of my provision, it is not found in a secure source of income.
That God loves me and accepts me regardless of my behavior,(5) unconditionally, just as I am, without one plea…….
That, being in Jesus, God regards me as a righteous person.(6)
Walking in the Spirit……believing God when his Word declares that it is God who works in me to will and to do of his good pleasure.(7)
That only IN him I live and move and have my very being.(8)
Walking in the Spirit…….
Believing constantly, by an act of my will, that when Jesus uttered the words: “It is finished”, everything was accomplished to secure my salvation. That I need add nothing to it. And since I am saved by grace and grace alone, God imposes no further requirements.(9)
It is accepting as a present reality that God began a good work in me and that he will complete it until the day of the Lord Jesus Christ.(10)
That God made me complete in Jesus: completely forgiven, completely holy, completely righteous, completely justified, completely whole, completely accepted, completely lovely.(11)
When I am constantly aware of these truths, then the temptations of the lust of the flesh fade away.
When the eternal things, the things that are not seen are on the front burner, then the things of this world, the things that are seen, with all their enticements and fascination will not be attractive to me any more. That is because the Holy Spirit will give witness to my spirit that these worldly things are now incompatible with my new nature, which is in Christ Jesus.
Walking (living) in the Spirit……. It is to let go and let God.
Let go of our own ways and let God establish his ways in me.(12)
It is a new way of living, it is a new life devine…….
Have thine own way Lord,
Hold over my being, absolute sway.
St.Thomas, Sept./’09. Simon VanderKooy.
Scripture references:
(1.) Col.3:1, 2, Prov.3:1-8, Matt.6:33. (2.) Col.2:13, 14. (3.) Gal.2:20, Rom.6:3, Col.2:12. (4.) Ps.23:1, Phil.4:19. (5.) Eph.1:6, Rom.15:7. (6.) II Cor.5:21, Phil.3:9. (7.) Phil.2:13, I Cor.1:8, Jude 24. (8.) Acts 17:28, I Cor.1:30. (9.) Ps.23. (10.) Phil.1:6, Eph.3:14-21. (11.) Col.2:10, John 1:16. (12.) Hebr.13:20, 21, II Thess.3:3, I Thess.5:24, I Cor.1:8, 9.
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