December 19, 2018 THE CHOICE EVER BEFORE US
Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry the desires of the flesh.”
Romans 8:5 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”
Often, there is a misunderstanding of the gospel among some believers that results in spiritual stagnation. In a subtle way perhaps, and perhaps even a deception of Satan, some believe that our place is to wait on God to bring about the needed change in us or to make us spiritually mature, having the view that ‘it’s all up to God.’ This view sounds ‘spiritual’ for sure, but nonetheless, it is not based on the plain teaching of the gospel. If not careful, we can began to over-analyze and to make complicated what it means to be a Christian and lose the ‘simplicity that is in Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 11:3. Knowing and walking in the simplicity of Christ does not mean that we do not need to read and study the scriptures and to mature in the faith and grow in the Lord. The beauty is that the things we are admonished to do in scripture become natural to us and are the things we want to do when we know deep within our identity in the Lord. 1 John 5:3 tells us that His commandments are not burdensome. Many believers spend a life time of spiritual frustration, trying their best to live the Christian life, not knowing the joy of the Lord and not enjoying their walk with the Lord. To ‘muddle’ means to “to bring into a disordered or confusing state” and if not careful, we can do just that in regards to living the Christian life. We must remember that it is not God who complicates life or makes things difficult, but He has made a way for us to live in the simplicity of Christ. God has made a way for you and me. The good news, the liberating news is that after all said and done, we basically have only two choices when it comes to living the Christian life. We must moment by moment, day by day, make the choice of either walking by the Spirit, or walking by the flesh (the ways of our old self). God does not force us to walk by the Spirit-that is our choice. The reason for studying the scriptures is to learn of God, to discover what it means to be his son or daughter, and to learn how to please Him in all we do. The scriptures should not be viewed as a book or rules and regulations that we must keep in order to be a ‘good Christian.’ The scriptures reveal our identity, who we are. The Spirit of God in us always leads us in the right path and always leads us to life. To walk in the Spirit is not some strange or mysterious thing we do, but is simply following the leading of the Holy Spirit of God who lives is us. The Holy Spirit in us is our life-line to our Father in heaven; the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us, and He reveals the ways of God to us-AND He gives us to power to live life according to the gospel. So, let us respond to and walk in the marvelous simplicity we find in Christ by simply choosing to walk according to the Spirt-it’s really not difficult. The message is clear; God sent His son that we might experience life to the fullest. Follow the promptings of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”
John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry the desires of the flesh.”
Romans 8:5 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”
Often, there is a misunderstanding of the gospel among some believers that results in spiritual stagnation. In a subtle way perhaps, and perhaps even a deception of Satan, some believe that our place is to wait on God to bring about the needed change in us or to make us spiritually mature, having the view that ‘it’s all up to God.’ This view sounds ‘spiritual’ for sure, but nonetheless, it is not based on the plain teaching of the gospel. If not careful, we can began to over-analyze and to make complicated what it means to be a Christian and lose the ‘simplicity that is in Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 11:3. Knowing and walking in the simplicity of Christ does not mean that we do not need to read and study the scriptures and to mature in the faith and grow in the Lord. The beauty is that the things we are admonished to do in scripture become natural to us and are the things we want to do when we know deep within our identity in the Lord. 1 John 5:3 tells us that His commandments are not burdensome. Many believers spend a life time of spiritual frustration, trying their best to live the Christian life, not knowing the joy of the Lord and not enjoying their walk with the Lord. To ‘muddle’ means to “to bring into a disordered or confusing state” and if not careful, we can do just that in regards to living the Christian life. We must remember that it is not God who complicates life or makes things difficult, but He has made a way for us to live in the simplicity of Christ. God has made a way for you and me. The good news, the liberating news is that after all said and done, we basically have only two choices when it comes to living the Christian life. We must moment by moment, day by day, make the choice of either walking by the Spirit, or walking by the flesh (the ways of our old self). God does not force us to walk by the Spirit-that is our choice. The reason for studying the scriptures is to learn of God, to discover what it means to be his son or daughter, and to learn how to please Him in all we do. The scriptures should not be viewed as a book or rules and regulations that we must keep in order to be a ‘good Christian.’ The scriptures reveal our identity, who we are. The Spirit of God in us always leads us in the right path and always leads us to life. To walk in the Spirit is not some strange or mysterious thing we do, but is simply following the leading of the Holy Spirit of God who lives is us. The Holy Spirit in us is our life-line to our Father in heaven; the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us, and He reveals the ways of God to us-AND He gives us to power to live life according to the gospel. So, let us respond to and walk in the marvelous simplicity we find in Christ by simply choosing to walk according to the Spirt-it’s really not difficult. The message is clear; God sent His son that we might experience life to the fullest. Follow the promptings of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”
John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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