October 19, 2020
We know we are not justified by our works. We want to serve our neighbor. We don’t produce the fruit; it is the fruit of the Spirit. We do not want to gratify the desires of the flesh. How does this work? Some of these things seem to be at odds with one another. If Christ accomplished it all, what then shall we do?
These verses in Galatians tell us to live by the Spirit and if we live by the spirit, to keep step with the Spirit.
The good things that come from the spirit are called fruit. Just as a tree can not will itself to grow fruit, we can not will ourselves to create love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self- control. An apple tree can not decide one day to produce tomatoes. We can not will ourselves to pop out an apple either no matter how hard we try. We can not will ourselves to produce patience, kindness, or goodness.
Walking by the spirit does not mean looking at each footstep you take to be sure you are doing it all right.
You read your Bible not because of obligation but to be empowered by the gospel. We pray because we can talk to God. We gather together because we don’t know it all and we were not created to live in isolation. We gather together because we were created to live in families and in communities. We screw up because we are sinful. We get to ask for forgiveness not out of guilt or in order to get the forgiveness, but because we know we are already forgiven, and we need to be reminded of that.
In the book of John, Jesus gives us a description of what living and walking in the Spirit is.
“On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out. ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:37-39
Walking in the Spirit is not a test to know if you are a Christian. Walking in the Spirit is not something we do because of the steps we take. Walking in the Spirit is what a Christian does because Christ has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is one of the miracles Christ performs in our lives each and every day. God daily works in you to convict of sin and renew your faith; you can rest in His work.
Loved In Spite of Self 