Walking In The Spirit of Life!

Galatians 5:24-6:1

It is easy to talk about the fruit of the Spirit or walking in the Spirit while doing very little about it. This is entirely unacceptable to our Lord Jesus. We need to learn that it is in the concrete situations, rather than in emotional highs, that the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives is demonstrated. One of the great goals of Christian freedom is Spirit-led ministry or service to others in concrete and daily matters (Eph. 5:9; Col. 1:9-13; Phil. 1:11).

While it is true the flesh may manufacture "results" that bring attention to us, but the flesh cannot bear fruit that brings glory to God (Anders). It takes patience, an atmosphere of the Spirit, walking in the light of God’s fellowship, the seed of the Word of God, and a sincere desire to honor Christ. In short, the secret to spiritual freedom is walking in the Holy Spirit! He alone can give us the freedom from sin and self. He enables us to fulfill the law of love, to overcome the flesh, and to bear holy fruit. Will you yield to Him and let Him work in you? Note carefully what Paul said,

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another (Gal. 5:24–26).  

Now let’s consider some thoughts on Walking in the Spirit based on this incredible statement from God’s Word.

First, Our Fallen Nature Is Rendered “Dead” As We Walk In The Spirit Of Death (Gal.5:24)

Paul lays before us the reality that our fallen nature has been crucified with Christ at His sacrificial and representative death for us. He insists that since we presently have life in the Spirit, it is incumbent upon us to walk in the Spirit. That is, we are obligated to live in complete submission and cooperation with the Spirit of God in our daily relationships and opportunities to serve others. Believers have zero obligations to fleshly carnal living; we are impressed by this passage to identify with Christ’s death through the power of the Spirit of God.

Secondly, Our Fallen Nature Is Rendered “Dead” As We Walk In The Spirit Of Life (Gal. 5:26)

Wiersbe suggests that Paul is probably focusing on particular problems in Galatia. “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Gal. 5:26).  If we walk step-by-step in the Spirit, we will have the spiritual resources to solve any attitude and conflict problems in the church. Additionally, perhaps even walking in the Spirit could be used by some as an occasion for pride. The apostle mentioned three particular problems (Gal. 5:26). They are the opposite of serving others, and they remain three prevalent sins in churches today. So, how do we walk in the Spirit of life?

By Watching Our Own Spirit (Gal. 5:26). 

This is the beginning of very practical challenges and instructions (Gal. 5:26-6:10) on how to actually walk in the Spirit as a church and as individuals. This is the first of a number of specific actions that should characterize Believers who are truly being led by the Spirit. But, it is also a return to the problems and conflicts mentioned in verse fifteen. In Galatians 5:26, there are three attitudes we must strenuously avoided:

              Beware of The Spirit of Pride and Contention —“Let us not be desirous of vainglory” (5:26).  Let us not become conceited, literally holding a false or empty opinion of ourselves. This means “prideful” or “vain” actions because of mere perceived advantages. If we are not careful we too can become conceited; expressing ourselves in favorable terms to boost our reputation and to prop up a sagging ego. In fact many Believers act rather conceited because they believe they are “more spiritual.” The bottom line is conceit causes relational problems. Beloved, do not let personal pride negatively impact your marriage, family, church, or work relationships (Phil. 2:3). But, how can we detect this harmful attitude?

                     It is an Arrogant Attitude.

A palpable spirit of contention dominates this passage and this fact points to the ‘parent sinful attitude’ of the spirit of vainglory or self-promotion (Prov. 13:10; Luke 22:24; Js. 3:14-16; 3Jn. 9, 10). Pride stirs up strife, and conflict fueling contentions like gasoline would a wildfire!            

APPLICATION: God does not want us as Christians to be boastful or conceited braggarts; such behavior is utterly inconsistent with being a sinner saved by grace. People living by human standards often become proud of their personal achievements taunting those who do not come up to their standards. The prideful Believer will often harshly criticize other Christians who do not have the same lists of taboos they condemn. In the opposite extreme are those Believers with zero apprehensions about anything. They categorize everyone, even those with legitimate biblical standards and convictions, as legalists if they possess even a few convictions. They mistakenly view spiritual freedom as permission to do whatever they fancy and pride themselves on their ‘freedom in Christ.’ With them anything goes and they arrogantly flaunt their ‘freedom’ in the face of others. Such unfounded ‘glorying’ is atypical of walking in the Spirit of God!

                    It is a False Advantage (only perceived).

Competition is stimulated and given life because of false supposed advantages. Such empty pride is based on specific imagined requirements by the deceived! Such empty bragging brings no real glory to God; instead it results in shameful pride and church clicks. Consider Webster’s definition of pride:

 Pride is an inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others; insolence; rude treatment of others; loftiness; ostentation. (D. Webster).

              Beware of The Spirit of Provocations and Challenges— “Provoking one another” (Gal. 5:26).  It is a denial of the Spirit-filled life to provoke or challenge other people to measure up to our own private viewpoints or standards. Please allow me to clarify, we all are profoundly obligated to live up to truly biblical standards, but personal standards cannot and should not be applied to others. Remember we can never anticipate the problems, needs, and temptations of another person’s heart. Therefore, we must refrain from such misguided provocations. Such a challenge is born of pride and entirely unjustified. Refuse to be the source of needless annoyances that only generate more anger and frustration. This is the opposite of the virtues the Holy Spirit desired to evidence in our lives. While many will find the temptation to elevate themselves because of their adherence to some false notion, we must refuse to become embroiled in prideful conflicts. Do not allow yourself to be an irritant in your church.

              Beware of The Spirit of Pinning and Comparisons—“Envying one another” (Gal. 5:26).  Envy is specifically the sin of wanting something that belongs to someone else to which one has no right or claim.  Envy begrudges another person’s superior success, talent, possessions, charisma, opportunities, or personal attractiveness. Persons of few talents or weak character are apt to envy those they deem to be more successful, accomplished, or more ‘committed’ to God. All such self-centered yearnings, greed, and avarice are foreign to grace. A godly Believer should esteem others better than themselves while rejoicing in the blessings of God in another person’s life.  Mere religious performers desire too much attention using their ‘ministry’ opportunities to garner personal attention and the accolades of others. A church is not the place to compete for godless notoriety.

True greatness is a willingness to serve others unnoticed, or in obscurity as long as it is God’s design for us. It is contentment to labor for years virtually unseen sincerely for the glory of God.

These Believers were “envying one another;” they yearned to have what others have earned or achieved. Whether recognition, family, status, money, or even spirituality is the object of envy, such comparisons are not wise. Envy will needlessly divide Believers and ruin a church’s unity in Christ. Refuse to give in to envy, and only compare yourself to God’s revealed will for you.

Pride makes us perpetually vulnerable to certain temptations. When Satan cannot stop our spiritual growth, his tactic immediately changes to the seduction of pride. As soon as we notice our progress, we must place ourselves on alert against pride taking root in our hearts. This will be especially acute if we measure our growth against the progress others are making. Growth should not be a cause for pride, but for humility and thanksgiving because it comes from God.

QUOTE: Popularity Contest

Everyone needs a certain amount of approval from others. But those who go out of their way to secure honors or to win popularity become conceited and show they are not following the Holy Spirit's leading. Those who look to God for approval won't need to envy others. Because we are God's sons and daughters, we have his Holy Spirit as the loving guarantee of his approval. Seek to please God, and the approval of others won't seem so important. (Unknown)

By Working Against Sin (Gal. 6:1). 

Watching our own spirit is half the battle; we must also work hard against sin and its impact. Here is a lovely statement on how a sinning Believer is to be treated by other Christians. Paul says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). No, the first step is not condemnation nor calling down divine judgments upon an offender. Godly Christians are to come to the aid of a failing Believer much like a good doctor would operate to set a broken bone for a patient who is dear to him. With thoughtful reflection on the possibility of our own failures, we give spiritual aid to another in the spirit of meekness. There is no room for pride in this scenario. This is how “spiritual” Believers behave! Yes, they recognize that sinning is utterly wrong and will by no means condone or sanction anything that is truly offensive to a holy God. However, their aim or goal is not merely to be right, nor to condemn. It is to restore the fallen to fellowship with God and the church. Spiritual Believers help failing Believers get back on track in their walk with God. Paul knew how to directly discourage pride and dampen the party spirit that was ripping up the Galatian churches. Walking and working in the Spirit of Grace is the ultimate solution to such evils.              

To be overtaken in any trespass describes a man who has committed an act of sin rather than one who is habitually sinful. Such a person is to be dealt with by spiritual Christians. A carnal brother or sister in Christ might, by a hard, cold attitude, do more harm than good. Then, too, the offender will not likely receive the admonition of a ‘Christian’ who is himself out of touch with the Lord.

Yes, beloved, walking in the Spirit is living in Christian freedom! Such liberty involves developing Christlike character, and giving loving service to others as we follow the Holy Spirit. The Spirit-led Christian thinks of others, especially fellow Believers, and seeks to serve them in concrete work-a-day ways. Walking in the Spirit is not exclusively for preachers; God prescribed this lifestyle for every Believer in Christ. It is not merely for emotional elation in a high-powered church service; instead abiding in the Spirit’s power is a daily practical matter.

Please understand that spiritual fruit is not merely self-effort. A Believer is certain to become completely frustrated when their personal determination does not produce the results she or he wants to see.  Beloved, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the process of developing supernatural fruit. Again the great benefit of Christian freedom is walking in the Spirit and bearing spiritual character supernaturally and not merely through self-determination. The fruit of the Spirit is character qualities that God has and He desires that we possess them also. This is the Spirit’s transforming work in a Believer’s character resulting in actions and attitudes of ministry.

To those who might prefer a mystical experience at church or a flight of ecstatic-emotional fancy, walking in the Spirit is a most down-to-earth practical matter. It involves personal relationships (Gal. 6:1-5) and the use of money (Gal. 6:6-10) and measuring spirituality by godly actions in these areas (Wiersbe).

It is easy to talk about walking the Spirit while doing very little about it. We Christians must learn that it is in the concrete situations, rather than in emotional highs, that the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives is demonstrated. One of the great benefits of Christian freedom is Spirit-led ministry and service to others in concrete and daily matters.  

Walking In The Spirit of Death!

Galatians 5:24-26

Spiritual freedom is the result of walking in the power of the Holy Spirit each day! In the verses closing Galatians chapter five, Paul has contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, concluding that Christians are to live Spirit-led lives. But what does it mean to live a life characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and the other virtues? To those who might prefer a transcendental experience in a church service it is surprising to note the concrete nature of walking in the Spirit. No, a spiritual Believer is free from the enslavement and domination of sinful motives and patterns. Actually measuring spirituality by actions of service and love is at the heart of the biblical teaching (Wiersbe). Walking in the Spirit is the key!

It is easy to talk about the fruit of the Spirit or walking in the Spirit while doing very little about it. This is entirely unacceptable to our Lord Jesus. We need to learn that it is in the concrete situations, rather than in emotional highs, that the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives is demonstrated. Believers can be liberated from sinful behavior patterns by walking in the Spirit. One of the great goals of Christian freedom is Spirit-led ministry or service to others in concrete and daily matters (Eph. 5:9; Col. 1:9-13; Phil. 1:11). Such can only be experienced as we walk in the Spirit!

While it is true the flesh may manufacture "results" that bring attention to us, but the flesh cannot bear fruit that brings glory to God (Anders). It takes patience, an atmosphere of the Spirit, walking in the light of God’s fellowship, receiving the seed of the Word of God, and a sincere desire to honor Christ. In short, the secret to spiritual freedom is walking in the Holy Spirit! He alone can give us the freedom from sin and self. He enables us to fulfill the law of love, to overcome the flesh, and to bear holy fruit. Will you yield to Him and let Him work in you? Note carefully what Paul said,

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another (Gal. 5:24–26).  

Now let’s consider some thoughts on Walking in the Spirit based on this incredible statement from God’s Word.

First, Our Fallen Nature Is Rendered “Dead” As We Walk In The Spirit Of Death (Gal.5:24)

Paul lays before us the reality that our fallen nature has been crucified with Christ at His sacrificial and representative death for us. He insists that since we presently have life in the Spirit, it is incumbent upon us to walk in the Spirit. That is, we are obligated to live in complete submission and cooperation with the Spirit of God in our daily relationships and opportunities to serve others. Believers have zero obligations to fleshly carnal living; we are impressed by this passage to identify with Christ’s death through the power of the Spirit of God. We must recognize our union with Christ in death, burial and resurrection. The old part of us, since we possess two natures, is already crucified. However, regarding our actual experience, it still must be put to death (Col. 3:5-15). It is in this regard that living and walking in the Spirit is the "death" of the fleshly fallen side of us. As a result we must certify in our actual experience that our flesh is indeed crucified, and continue to resist any expressions of the fleshly nature. Well, how should we go about this?

Certify the Ruin of the Flesh (Gal. 5:24-25a)

When we certify, we are actually appropriating a truth into our own personal experience. We are literally acknowledging what God said to be true and actual for us as an individual. This is counting this precious reality as a reality in our life and experience—adopting it on a subjective and intimate level. Please allow me to illustrate. We may be convinced that a cold glass of water would quench our thirst and refresh our bodies on a hot summer afternoon. However, we can only experience such refreshment and satisfaction as we actually drink the water. Likewise, merely knowing that our flesh has been crucified with Christ at Calvary is insufficient. We must drink this truth into our hearts, minds, and convictions to experiences its freeing power in each challenging situation. 

         The Old Nature Must Be Crucified (v. 24).  Again this happened at Calvary through our Lord Jesus Christ, but it is essential to spiritual freedom. This crucifixion is a past event and a completed action with future benefits and ramifications for every Believer. 

Paul explains that we Believers are identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom. 6). Christ not only died for me, but I died with Christ. Christ died for me to remove the penalty of my sin, but I died with Christ to break sin's power (Rom. 6:5-14).  The same is true for every genuine child of God! Paul mentioned this in Galatians a number of times (Gal. 2:19-20; 6:14). Now consider this insightful thought from Dr. Wiersbe, 

He should not serve sin (Rom. 6:6-10). Sin is a terrible master, and it finds a willing servant in the human body. The body is not sinful; the body is neutral. It can be controlled either by sin or by God. But man's fallen nature, which is not changed at conversion, gives sin a beachhead from which it can attack and then control. Paul expressed the problem: "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not" (Rom 7:18).A tremendous fact is introduced here: the old man (the old ego, self) was crucified with Christ so that the body need not be controlled by sin. The word "destroyed" in Rom 6:6 does not mean annihilated; it means "rendered inactive, made of no effect." The same Greek word is translated "loosed" in Rom 7:2. If a woman's husband dies, she is 'loosed" from the law of her husband and is free to marry again. There is a change in relationship. The law is still there, but it has no authority over the woman because her husband is dead.Sin wants to be our master. It finds a foothold in the old nature, and through the old nature seeks to control the members of the body. But in Jesus Christ we died to sin; and the old nature was crucified so that the old life is rendered inoperative. Paul was not describing an experience; he was stating a fact. The practical experience was to come later. It is a fact of history that Jesus Christ died on the cross. It is also a fact of history that the believer died with Him; and "he that is dead is freed from sin" (Rom 6:7). Not "free to sin" as Paul's accusers falsely stated; but "freed from sin."” –(from The Bible Exposition Commentary).

          The Old Nature Has Been Crucified (Vs. 24). 

We are not instructed to crucify ourselves, because this is impossible. Strictly speaking crucifixion is one death a person cannot inflict on them self. The important fact we must not miss is that the flesh has already been crucified. It is our responsibility to believe this and act on it. (Paul calls this "reckoning" in Rom. 6; you have the same truth presented in Col. 3:5).  Beloved, we have zero obligations to the flesh, but every responsibility to the Spirit (Rom. 8:12-14). We must accept what God says about the old nature and not try to make it something that it is not. Reformation or Legalism will not transform the flesh.  Christ has ultimately destroyed it and in the Rapture it will be completely eliminated in the believer!  Therefore refuse to accommodate and make "provision for the flesh" (Rom. 13:14) by feeding it the sinful things it thrives on. Starve it to death and crucify the flesh by the Spirit of Death! (Wiersbe, MacDonald & Walvoord)

          The New Nature Must be Realized (Vs. 25). 

In the flesh dwells no good thing (Rom. 7:18), so we should put no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3). The flesh is not subject to God's Law (Rom. 8:7) and it cannot please God (Rom. 8:8). Remember that it is through the Spirit of God that we realize the benefit of the new nature in Christ according to 2Cor. 5:14-17 (Wiersbe, MacDonald & Walvoord). Now allow yourself to be deeply impressed by convictions of a Christian who literally gave his life for the cause of Christ in the Twentieth Century,

The idea that someone would claim to believe the gospel while planning to continue in sin is preposterous to Paul. He knew people would think that way and would be wrong. The point of the gospel was not to find an excuse for sin, but to give freedom from sin.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son; "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Perhaps we can appreciate our new position in Christ by noting we are actually dead to sin. Dead to sin may be an uncomfortable concept to some. Still force yourself to reflectively consider what the Apostle Paul asserts in Romans 6:1-3, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2, God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? To further clarify, Paul introduces a revolutionary concept: genuine Believers are dead in relation to sin. The great apostle certifies that because Christ died for our sins, we who believe in Him actually died to sin. But how can this be when we still sin at times? In what manner have we died to sin?

• In the legal sense, we died in the sight of God's judgment.
• In the conversion sense, believing in Christ is dying to sin.
• In the baptismal sense, that burial implies we have died with Christ.
• In the moral sense, sinful desires may be present, but they are mortally wounded.  
• In the resurrection sense, we exchange our sinful life for Christ's resurrection life.

Paul speaks of this death as fact and concludes, therefore, that believers cannot live any longer in it. (Source Unknown)

This brings us to a question of considerable weight; is the Christian life about living in sin or dying to sin? Well, living in sin describes a lifestyle of habitual controlling sinful practices--enslavement. It is a life where sin reigns. Death is the currency of that kingdom. The subjects are slaves, and their future is hopeless. Why would anyone, given their freedom, want to remain in such a place, living such a life? Dying to sin describes the most frequent way a slave gained freedom (by dying) to illustrate one aspect of the salvation that God has given us through Christ. The problem of sin is so deeply rooted in us that radical action is required to eliminate it. In another place, Paul described this process: "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" (Col 1:13). Unless we consider ourselves dead to sin (6:11), sin will continue to influence us (from The Life Application Commentary). Again concerning our vital union with Christ our Representative in death at Calvary, “If, then, you died in your baptism, stay dead!”—Chrysostom 

Beloved, it is Christ who has conquered sin and death, and The Spirit enables us to realize and experience the value of Christ's work! Depend on the Spirit of Death! Only through the Holy Spirit can we "put to death" the awful deeds our fallen carnal nature would love to do through our body (Rom. 8:13). The Holy Spirit is not only the Spirit of life (Rom. 8:2; Gal. 5:25), but He is also the Spirit of death: He helps us to reckon ourselves dead to sin. The Spirit of God enables us to overcome the flesh.

Continue to Restrain the Flesh (Gal. 5:25-26)

Now that we have explored what it means to appropriate the value of Christ’s crucifixion into our experience from the positive side, it is important at this point to exercise ourselves in the equally important negative aspect also. Not only should we certify the ruin of the flesh, but we must also continue to restrain any expression of the fallen nature. Only through such balanced discipline can we realize spiritual freedom continually in the Spirit. So, how is this done?

         By Walking in the Spirit (Vs. 25). 

"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (Gal. 5:25). “If” here means “since.” Since we have eternal life by the work of the Holy Spirit in us, let us live out the new life by the power of the same Spirit. The law never could give life, and was never intended to be the Christian's rule of life. Walking in the Spirit is the life of freedom from sin’s control and domination (Walvoord & Wiersbe). Again this is not sinless perfection, but freedom from sin's enslavement to live in obedience and devotion to Jesus Christ. 

Beloved, walking in the Spirit is an intensely practical matter. It touches real life and horrific challenges of all kinds. You see, through this walk we can break free from the damage, devastation, and fear that anger can weld to crush our relationships. By walking in the Spirit we overcome fears that have stopped us from dreaming, envisioning, and walking in God’s complete will for our lives. It is only through the Spirit applying the value of Christ's death to our experiences that we may be free to realize our holy destiny in Christ! Are you facing seemingly insurmountable challenges in your professional life? God desires to show Himself strong in all areas of our lives including what we sometimes consider to be secular matters. It is through the Spirit’s power that we learn to handle correctly a boss who is rude, inadequate, obnoxious, and unfair. Are there some life patterns you have that are hindering your walk with the Lord? Through the Spirit we break free of abusive habits, entrenched sinful patterns, enslaving practices, and language patterns that harm our spouse, children, friends, and love ones. Walk in the Spirit!  Not only asking God to fill us with His Spirit at the top of our day but, choosing to be controlled by Him throughout the course of the day! Yes, we have eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ through the Spirit, but we need to act like it. Live out these realities by walking moment by moment in the Spirit of Grace.

        By Following Eight Life Giving Steps of Faith to Walking in the Spirit.

What about when we still accidentally/unintentionally sin against God? After all sinless perfection is impossible, though we have the power to forsake sin. Still what should we do after “getting in the flesh?” This is a good question and the following procedure will prove most helpful:  

1) Face your problem, attitude, or action acknowledging that it is indeed sinful (Gal. 5:19-21) 

2) Confess it as soon as possible by name to your Father in Heaven (1Jn. 1:9) 

3) Ask God to cleanse you and take away the very desire for that sin (1Jn. 5:14-15)  

4) Forgive the person or group who has offended you if necessary (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13; Matt. 18:15-17)  

5) Formally give thanks and praise to God even when faced with things that “bother” you (1Thess. 5:18; Job. 1:21; Ps. 34:1; Eph. 5:20; Phil. 4:6)  

6) Recognize that God never places more on you than you can handle or deal with (1Cor. 10:13; Rom. 8:28; 2Cor. 1:9-12; 12:8-11).  

7) Concentrate on thinking differently, positively, and align your thoughts with the Bible’s; change your thinking patterns—reject sinful thought patterns (Phil. 4:8; Eph. 4:30-31; Prov. 23:5-7).   

8) Insist on being Spirit-filled throughout the day—ask Him often to control you (Eph. 5:18; Luke 11:9-13).  

9) Repeat; go through all steps again. Never quit trusting God and applying yourself. Depend on Christ by faith (Gal. 2:20; 1Cor. 15:57; Jn. 16:33; Phil. 4:13; Rom. 14:23). (Source unknown)

       By Maintaining Vital Contact With the Spirit (Gal. 5:25). 

Since we Believers have been made alive by the Holy Spirit, He ought to direct the course of our lives. Unless we actively pursue contact with the Holy Spirit and obey His leading, we will be unable to resist the passions and desires of our flesh. Beloved in Christ, please stay in step with the Spirit of God.

Step By Step
God is interested in all of our life, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our life to God -- emotional, physical, social, intellectual, and vocational. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life. (Life Application Commentary) 

Paul used three key phrases for the Holy Spirit's work in our lives:

            1.  Choose to Live in the Spirit (walk in the Spirit) (5:16, 25)

·        Recognize that the Holy Spirit is a gift to us, not given because of our own merit (Acts 1:4,8)

·        Be strengthened by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:11; Eph. 3:16)

·        Acknowledge the Holy Spirit as the source of our gifts for ministry (Eph. 4:7-12; 2 Tim. 1:6)

            2.  Choose to be Led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:18; Rom. 8:14)

·        Set your mind on what the Spirit desires (Rom. 8:5)

·        Show His love freely (Rom. 5:5)

·        Receive His joy abundantly (Rom. 14:17; 1 Thess. 1:6)

·        Demonstrate the hope He stimulates (Rom. 15:17)

            3.  Choose to be Guarded by the Spirit (in step with the Spirit) (Gal. 5:25; John 14:26; 16:13)

·        He aids in our prayers (Rom. 8:26-27; Eph. 2:18; 6:18)

·        He inspires us to worship (Eph. 5:18; Phil. 3:3)

·        He shapes our character (Gal. 5:22-23)

(Excerpts from The Life Application Commentary Series)

Thus, the exhortation is to the Galatians who have divine life resident in their beings, to conduct themselves under the guidance, impulses, and energy of that life. Here we have the free will of the Christian and his responsibility to live the highest type of Christian life, and the grace of God which will make that possible. The responsibility of the saint is to desire to live a Christlike life, to depend upon the Holy Spirit for the power to live that life, and to step out on faith and live that life. This fulfilled, will bring all the infinite resources of grace to the aid of the saint, and put in operation all the activities of the Spirit in his behalf.”—(From Wuest, K. S.; Wuest's word studies from the Greek New Testament)

Anybody can talk about the fruit of the Spirit or walking in the Spirit, but it requires real faith to live this way! Beloved, this is precisely what our Lord Jesus expects of every child of God. Walking in the Spirit is for concrete situations of daily life, and not for mere emotional highs during some church service! The reality that we are followers of Christ must be demonstrated through a Spirit-empowered life marked by holy freedom! One of the great goals of Christian freedom is Spirit-led ministry or service to others in concrete and daily matters. Beloved in Christ Jesus, this is God's plan and design for you. Even now He is waiting to walk with and in you while you walk with and in Him. Began today to walk in the Spirit.

The Spirit Quickens!

How does a sinner suddenly receive spiritual life? How can a person be dead in sins one moment and then a second later...he or she receives life? We understand that in the moments of salvation there are some things that we must do. We must humble ourselves before a thrice holy God admitting that we are sinners from a heart of Spirit-wrought repentance. In our helplessness to save ourselves we cry out to the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness. Trusting His full payment for our sins we believe His death, burial, and resurrection paid for our gross violations against the perfect law of God. We acknowledge that Jesus is God and Lord and place ourselves at His mercy to deliver us from our blood-guilt, past of sinful practices, and to grant us eternal life in grace. In short we repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:23; 3:10; 5:12; 6:23; 3:21-28; 10:8-17). 

What does God do in those moments when we trust Him for salvation? The Scriptures declare repeatedly that God performs a miracle in our souls called regeneration (Tit 3:5; John 3). God floods us with divine life! He awakens our dead human spirit and suddenly we are alive to God! Note now more specifically how all of this unfolds.

We Are Quickened To Life

The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:25, says, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Believers are thus described as living in the Spirit. We have life and relationship with God in the Holy Spirit. John’s gospel in 6:63, says, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The Lord Jesus distinguishes the physical from the spiritual indicating his words are quickening and life giving when believed. Then Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:6, says, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” Once again the Spirit of God gives life and this is the fundamental nature of the New Testament message. So believers live in the Spirit, are quickened by the Word and the Spirit, and the Spirit gives life.

The word “quicken” means to make alive or revive. It refers to being made alive together with the risen living Christ (Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13). God uses His word to make spiritually dead sinners alive in Christ when they repent and believe the gospel. The “quick” are the saved and the “dead” are the unsaved (Acts 10:42; 2Tim. 4:1).

God Gives Us A Divine Nature

So regeneration is the Spirit quickening man’s dead spirit and implanting a divine nature (Eph. 2:4-5; 2Pet. 1:4). How does the new birth relate to the new nature? By regeneration sinners are made “partakers” of the “divine nature” according to Peter (2 Pet. 1:4).  Paul describes this as having put on the “new man,” which after God is created in holiness and righteousness (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10).  Christ now lives in the NT believer (Gal. 2:20).  God’s “seed” now abides in each child of God (1John 3:9). So that henceforth the believer is possessed of two natures (Gal. 5:17). This reality situates Christians to live out a life devoted to the Lord daily. 

A new nature (2 Cor. 5:17), means a new capacity to serve and live in righteousness.  The old nature is not eradicated, for the capacity to serve self and sin continues until one dies. Regeneration does not make believers perfect, but it places them in the family of God and gives them the new ability to please The Father by growing into the image of Christ. The struggle within may be intense on occasions, but the new nature can triumph over the old more frequently if Christians conscientiously strengthen it and capitulate to it.  Fruit from the new nature is proof that regeneration has occurred (1Jn 2:29).  Thus regeneration is a crisis with a view to a process of change. The Spirit’s new governing power comes into the regenerate man’s life by which they are enabled to become holy in experience: “Old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).  Consider also Acts 16:14; Ezekiel 36:25–27;  and 1 John 3:6–9 for more biblical insight.

Mankind has self-destructed gorging itself with sin and wicked lawlessness. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4–5). Out of such hopelessness and devastation, Christians are raised to new life in Christ. “We were dead” in trespasses and “sins,” Paul wrote. In what sense was humanity dead?  Obviously all mankind is not dead physically. Sinners were dead spiritually, which means separated from God and destined to an eternity in the Lake of Fire.  Max Anders (1995, Chapter 3) said in his book The Holy Spirit: Knowing Our Comforter,

It is like a husband and wife who no longer love each other. Hostility and rejection lie at the core of their relationship. They do not talk to each other. They no longer live in the same house. Their relationship, people say, is dead. It means more than that to be dead in our trespasses and sins before God, but at least that example gives us a glimpse of the meaning. It does not mean that we have ceased living, spiritually. It means we are separated, cut off, alienated from God.  

Certainly the human spirit has been contaminated with sin, and God cannot tolerate the presence of sin. Therefore, apart from His amazing love for lost humanity, He cannot tolerate sin at all. There is only one hope. The “old man,” contaminated with sin, must die. That is what Paul meant when he said, “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20).  Spiritually identified with Christ, believers are placed in Christ, and the crucifixion that He experienced, believers also experience. The death that Christ literally died, believers likewise share. This gets rid of the sin. Then, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, repentant sinners turn to Christ and are born again, this time, to new life. This time, Christians are without sin in their new inner man (Romans 7:15–8:1).  To be sure Christians  still sin, but somehow the sin is not attributed to their regenerated spirit, the new inner man; it is correctly assigned to the old flesh—fallen human nature. 

According to Anders (1995, Chapter 3) there is nothing else that needs to happen to the new spirit before it can go to heaven. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” What an astonishing statement. The “new man,” is fashioned in the likeness of God, in righteousness and holiness.  Of course, believers all know that they sin, but Paul steadfastly refuses to attribute the sin to the new inner man. He goes out of his way to place it in what he calls “the flesh”. Consider what he said to the Romans,

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me (Romans 7:18-21).

Struggles with the old nature will persist throughout the Christian experience. Regeneration is the imparting of the new nature and not the elimination of the old nature. For now believers must daily fight the flesh and trust the Spirit for power and victory. This will be developed in a later chapter more thoroughly. Consider how Paul completes this thought in Romans 8:22-23,

For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Salvation is currently incomplete. Though consummation will certainly be realized in the fullest sense, for now it is a future hope. Max Anders (1995, Chapter 3) explains,

His point here is that our complete redemption will not occur until we die and get a new body, uncontaminated by sin. We could say that we are redeemed in stages. One stage is our spiritual redemption when we are born again. Another stage is our progressive spiritual growth while on earth. A third stage is our physical redemption, when we receive new bodies.... Again regeneration is that act of the Holy Spirit by which He causes us to be born again, spiritually, at the moment we place our faith in Christ.  In our salvation, the Holy Spirit causes us to be born again, spiritually, resulting in eternal life. 

So there you have it! The Spirit does indeed quicken our dead human spirits at the instant we trust Christ as Savior and Lord. This miracle of grace cannot be manufactured by us; this is why we cannot earn salvation or serve to make ourselves acceptable to God. God will never be forced to save anyone because they were so devoted, sincere, committed, served so long, or was such a good person. These are not the basis for genuine salvation according to the Scriptures. God must regenerate and quicken us as an expression of incredible mercy and grace! What a blessing though! To be touched deep within by the Spirit of the Living God and made alive forever!

Unraveling The Mystery of God's Will!

Does God’s plan for your life strike you as mysterious? Do you refer to God’s will as something that needs to be found, that is, “I’m trying to find God’s will for me”? Well, you will be pleased to know that discovering God’s specific plan concerning a certain opportunity is not as difficult as we sometimes think it is. I do not mean to imply that it is always simple to know what God wants us to do in every instance, but sometimes and even many times it is quite simple. If you view God’s will as too mysterious to know or as hidden somewhere and you cannot find it, then I have good news. God’s will has actually been unraveled for us in many respects in the Bible. That is correct! God even spells it out at times using terms like “this is the will of God.” Consider the following observations for unraveling God's plan for you.

God’s Word Spells out His Will for Us through Specific Mandates.

Our tendency to misread God’s plan can be significantly reduced by “understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). God’s will can be known and understood by us!  Ephesians 5:17,  says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding [connecting concepts together in the mind] what the will of the Lord is.” Understanding is like collecting the pieces of a puzzle and putting them together. The mind must grasp concepts and see the proper relationship between them. Correlating and comparing Scripture well is central to this exercise. Obviously this requires serious thinking on our part—we must exercise our mental muscles while we trust the Lord to teach us His Word.

“Understanding” implies placing biblical precepts together with practical applications and usage. This involves mentally comprehending ideas in order to govern oneself according to God’s pleasure and will. In doing so we transfer the biblical idea into our modern context for application. By following this prescription, we can largely reduce misunderstandings, misconceptions, misapplications, and general misreading of God’s will! Again this demands discipline and exertion of mental energy in conjunction with a hardy dependence upon the Spirit of Grace. 

God’s Plan for our lives is not hidden, incomprehensible, nor mysterious. In fact God desires for His people to be well informed and actuating His will daily. But it may require engaging all our mental powers to arrive at what the Lord wants to achieve through us. God still teaches His children His Word very readily, but we must assume the spiritual posture of patient humility and receptivity before Him. So then, to guard against misconceptions related to God’s will, gain a practical awareness of specific Bible statements related to God’s will and their workable implications. Please note thoughtfully what the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9-10, For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Note This Prayer for the Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:9).

Paul’s primary request was that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will. There are two key words, “filled” and “knowledge” to consider. “Filled” refers to a filling out to completeness, and “knowledge” suggests a full, deep understanding. This is not an inner impression or feeling, but a deep and thorough knowledge of the will of God that is finally and completely revealed in the Word of God (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19). An open Bible, a willingness to study and think, and an attitude of humble dependence upon the Holy Spirit will lead to such fullness and knowledge!

·                    Such knowledge of God’s will does not come from a fleshly mind (which “puffs up,” 1 Cor. 8:1), but the Holy Spirit enlightens a believer’s inner person (1 Cor. 2:5-6, 13), with the Word of God.

·                    “Wisdom” is, practical know-how which comes from God (James 1:5; 3:15), and it is also the ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture. Actually wisdom applies knowledge in the best ways.

·                    “Spiritual Understanding” speaks of clear analysis and decision-making while applying spiritual knowledge to various problems—the application of Bible principles to daily living. Understanding sees what agrees and what conflicts with God’s will. God’s will, revealed in the Bible, is made known to Believers by the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry. Like Paul, we too must pray to be filled with the knowledge of God's plan for the day.

Note This Purpose for the Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:10).

Why did the Apostle Paul want the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? [1:10] Was it so they might become mighty preachers or sensational teachers? Was it so they might attract large followings to themselves, as the Gnostics sought to do?

·                    No, the true purpose of spiritual wisdom and understanding is to enable Christians to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him. Here we have a very important lesson on the subject of guidance. God does not reveal His will to us in order to satisfy our curiosity, make us appear more astute, nor to impress other Christians with our 'knowledge'. Neither is it intended to cater to our ambition or to massage our pride. Rather the Lord shows us His will for our lives in order that we might please Him in all that we do. (McDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary)

Exercise: the following are some precepts directly form the New Testament outlining specific requirements for all Believers.

What does the Bible say about God’s will for us?

1.    God Wills that We Be Saved (2Pet. 3:9; 1Tim. 2:4).

2.    God Wills that We Be Spirit-Filled (Eph. 5:15-18).

3.    God Wills that We Be Thankful in Everything (1Thess. 5:18).

4.    God Wills that We are set apart from sin and unto His purposes (1Thess. 4:3-5).

5.    God Wills that We Be Submissive to Legitimate Authority (1Pet. 2:13-15).

6.    God Wills that We Suffer for Christ’s Sake (1Pet. 4:12-16, 19).

7.    God Wills that We Glorify Him with all our Opportunities (1Pet. 4:16; 1Cor. 6:20; 10:31).

The Lord Jesus epitomized all of these mandates and is the supreme example for all aspects of God’s will (see John 4:4; 5:19, 30; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2). Honestly if we truly lived this way in the energy of the Holy Spirit, there would be little else to consider or to decide upon with regard to God’s plan. Also bear in mind that God does afford us a measure of latitude and freedom regarding decision making on small inconsequential matters. There are times and instances when He in His sovereignty literally leaves the choice with us. You see, if a person is genuinely Spirit-filled and submissive to Christ's authority over their entire being, there is no design to behave in sinful ways

In conclusion, Ephesians 5:15, counsels us to "See then that ye walk circumspectly [exactly, precisely, diligently, accurately], not as fools, but as wise,   (Also see Col. 4:5). That is, walk or proceed with clear direction from God. Live each day knowing exactly what God expects and with confidence in the type of life He prescribes. Once you know what He requires, proceed with precise adherence and compliance. Walk circumspectly before your Lord. Much like a person walking a tightrope across the Grand Canyon proceeds with preciseness and accuracy; let us walk with exactitude in the plan of God for us. Again He has disclosed His will in His Word there is no reason to be mystified regarding His plan.

Yes, there will still be times when we need to make a decision and we will feel uncertain about how to proceed. This is no indication that God has failed to direct. It may mean we need to dig some in the Word and pray far more for wisdom from God. It may also mean we need to connect spiritual principles one with another like the pieces of a puzzle in order to discern God’s plan in a particular matter. I am afraid God has been blamed far too often for hiding His will when the key to knowing it is a matter of research on our part.

The Lord never intended for His will to be mysterious or confusing. He does not hide it and taunt us as we try to find it or figure it out. God’s will is not hidden nor is it lost! Through the Word, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and prayer we can understand exactly what God’s will is and make decisions in the light of it. In doing so, we limit and reduce our vulnerability to deceptions related to His plan for our lives. God not only want us to know His will but to execute it daily with precision and accuracy to His glory!