Through the spirit
September 19th, 2008 by JimS
As we read the passage in Galatians 5 and come to these verses:
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Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
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The context is in admonishing those who are trying to use law to control the passions of the flesh in life’s relationships, but to no true profit. In verse 15 this remarkable opportunity of life is brought forth:
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Now, to some, walking by or in the spirit is utilizing the nine manifestations listed in 1 Cor. 12:7-11, which have their part in this equation, but the context reveals it is in the proper walk of faith towards the ultimate goal of entering the Kingdom of God;
Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
.Our daily walk is central to our ultimate destination. Do we walk by faith or need we law that controls our walk to do what is right?
No need of law to control the flesh, says Paul, the guidence of the spirit in the liberty of faith without law bears fruit by the love we manifest through the spirit we have recieved.
Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
1 John also speaks to this:
1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
We are not to walk selfishly in this life, we must seek to save what was lost in the fall and we dare not do it by the law and fleshly restraints in order to keep each other in line, but to seek the benefit of others obeying our Father God’s example through Jesus Christ. Let us seek to serve humanity as our Lord did; through the spirit.
You’re right. For most of my Christian experience I was under the impression that walking by the spirit meant “operating” the manifestations. The idea that it could enable us to live a Christ-like life never entered our minds. We do need to get to that understanding of the spirit’s role in our lives. We can’t do it on our own.
Does your church believe in and operate in the gifts of the spirit such as healing, prophecy and speaking in tongues? Thanks for your answers.
Aaron,
That would depend on whom you ask. There are varying opinions about those matters.
I see, just as there are in other strains of Christianity.