' But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]'
Galatians 5:16,25 Amplified Bible Classic
As Followers of the Lord, Jesus, we are called to live Holy lives that are set apart. We live in a dark world, as exiles in a foreign land. We live with people everywhere who the truth has not enlightened, and if we call Jesus Lord (and that He is most certainly is!), then we should expect many people to be watching us.
But before our neighbors, friends, and family watch, we must always be aware that there is one greater who is watching! We live corum Deo, before the face of God, in every moment of every day! God is always watching, and if we want to live a life that pleases Him, we need some help!
Praise be to God because He has given us His Spirit to be our guide, our helper. It is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that leads us into victory, into a life of obedience. Active faith puts into practice what we learn from our study of scripture. Walking by faith, not by sight, is another way of saying that we live out our faith in practice. We are corrupt by nature, and in our own strength, we cannot overcome this weakness without some help!
The verse in view this morning is the substance of our empowerment. We are blessed to receive the spirit, poured into our lives from above, and it is the spirit that makes our helpful faith. We cannot live obedient lives before the Lord if we are not walking by the power of the Spirit.
A mind that is set on the flesh, on our natural corruption, cannot please God! Living without faith cannot please God. Walking by faith means setting our minds on the things of God, and being led by the Spirit is a natural result of our complete surrender of our lives and our wills to Jesus! If we call Him Lord, then we must surrender it all to Him if He is our Lord!
We are then given His spirit that not only leads us into all truth, but leads us on the path to obedience, and the abundant life Christ came to give. This is the riches of God's Kingdom manifest in our lives, and is our great hope and abundant reward! Let us be renewed by the power the Spirit gives, and the joy we can only know by walking in His presence! Amen!
Galatians 5:16,25 Amplified Bible Classic
As Followers of the Lord, Jesus, we are called to live Holy lives that are set apart. We live in a dark world, as exiles in a foreign land. We live with people everywhere who the truth has not enlightened, and if we call Jesus Lord (and that He is most certainly is!), then we should expect many people to be watching us.
But before our neighbors, friends, and family watch, we must always be aware that there is one greater who is watching! We live corum Deo, before the face of God, in every moment of every day! God is always watching, and if we want to live a life that pleases Him, we need some help!
Praise be to God because He has given us His Spirit to be our guide, our helper. It is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that leads us into victory, into a life of obedience. Active faith puts into practice what we learn from our study of scripture. Walking by faith, not by sight, is another way of saying that we live out our faith in practice. We are corrupt by nature, and in our own strength, we cannot overcome this weakness without some help!
The verse in view this morning is the substance of our empowerment. We are blessed to receive the spirit, poured into our lives from above, and it is the spirit that makes our helpful faith. We cannot live obedient lives before the Lord if we are not walking by the power of the Spirit.
A mind that is set on the flesh, on our natural corruption, cannot please God! Living without faith cannot please God. Walking by faith means setting our minds on the things of God, and being led by the Spirit is a natural result of our complete surrender of our lives and our wills to Jesus! If we call Him Lord, then we must surrender it all to Him if He is our Lord!
We are then given His spirit that not only leads us into all truth, but leads us on the path to obedience, and the abundant life Christ came to give. This is the riches of God's Kingdom manifest in our lives, and is our great hope and abundant reward! Let us be renewed by the power the Spirit gives, and the joy we can only know by walking in His presence! Amen!
