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GALATIANS - I Have Been Crucified With Christ
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
PART 4: FREEDOM FROM THE LAW OF MOSES IS THE FOUNDATION OF CONDUCT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:1 – 6:18)
3. Walk in the Spirit and you will overcome the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25)
'''GALATIANS 5:16-19
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness …'''
Paul did not, at any one time, subject us to the law, but he guided us to walk in the Spirit. The slaves of the law suffer under the law, and see in all directions heavy duties and obligations, whereas the believer, who is born of the Spirit, finds that the law does not put pressure on him, but dwells in him. He sees in all directions possibilities of service, and privileges to bear difficult people. Walking in the Spirit is contrary to forcible keeping of the law, for we are not fulfillers of the commandments of love, but the Spirit who dwells in us is the power and the motive to fulfill the pleasure of service. Our position toward God is principally changed. We are not weak slaves of the law, but children of God, born of the Spirit of Love.
Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is the mystery of true Christians. This Spirit guides you accurately as a compass in the right path. He is also the power to fulfill several services. We will no more wish to be dominated by sin and lust, or give our mouths to evil. The Holy Spirit gives us the will, the determination, and the power not to agree to the lust of the flesh. The natural man does not find in himself the power for purity and truthfulness, whereas he who is renewed by grace overcomes his temptations in the power of the Spirit given to him.
The battlefield between heaven and hell passes through the heart of the believer, for his body revolts against the guidance of the Spirit, and the Spirit extinguishes the thirst of the body. We find no rest as long as we live on earth. Jesus was also tempted by all kinds of temptations, but he remained sinless, because he stood fast in the Spirit of his Father. He taught us the summary of his own struggle, saying: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
He who stands fast in the spiritual life, reads the word of God daily, and seeks the fellowship of praying brothers, finds the power to walk in the Spirit. He does not have to serve his body with his wishes, for the Spirit strengthens him to triumph. The believer is not under the direction of the law, which does not give him the power to overcome sin, while it asks him frankly to obey the commandments, and condemns him in the end for his failure in fulfilling every letter of the law. However, those who walk in the Spirit of Christ willfully and wholeheartedly wish to do the will of their Father, and receive the power to overcome temptations; and when they inattentively sin, they are justified by the blood of Christ. They do not live under the curse of the law, but in the grace and spiritual power of the gospel.
PRAYER: O heavenly Father, we glorify you and thank you because you redeemed us to you by the blood of your Son from the rights of the law, and strengthened us with your Spirit to overcome sin. Strengthen us not to walk according to the lusts of our flesh, but to stand fast in love, purity, joy, and peace, as your Son overcame all temptations.
QUESTION:
- What is the difference between walking in the Spirit and in slavery under the law?