Day Five

So far in Galatians, we’ve heard a lot about the Spirit (given to us by God), the law (fulfilled by Jesus), and in Galatians 5 we’re going to be reading about ‘the flesh’, which is our own human nature and desire separate from God’s nature and desires. The Spirit of God gives us access to God’s nature and desires, but it does mean denying the flesh.

In Galatians 5, Paul pulls no punches–we either walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Here, Paul really goes for it, listing out all the things that reflect one who isn’t walking by the Spirit. Is there anything in there that is confronting for you? Jealousy? Fits of anger? Envy? Strife? Drunkenness? Sexual immorality? God is a loving God who welcomes us into his kingdom, freely. He gave his son so that we would have the opportunity to be free from our flesh and walk in the power of the Spirit. With that comes the honour and responsibility to intentionally live every day with the Holy Spirit front and centre.

Did you notice the ways of the flesh are not only extreme actions like sexual sin, but also heart attitudes like jealousy and anger? Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is not just what we do, but the condition of our heart. Paul is passionate for us to understand that in life we have two choices, follow the desire of our flesh or be obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit and walk in his ways. We know that we all fall short of the glory of God, as it says in Romans 9:25, but our life in Christ means we can now live a new way. Walking in the ways of the Holy Spirit produces good fruit in our lives; we read on to find the fruit of the Spirit; “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Galatians is a book of hope, and Paul is fervent that we know that we are included into the family of God by grace and the free gift of salvation that Christ won for us on the cross. He also wants us to know, as part of the family of God we have a new identity marker, the only one we need, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us in our walk with Christ, leading us away from the temptation of the flesh and into a life that produces the fruit of the Spirit.

The cross is sufficient for anything we face! Galatians declares that from the beginning to end, if we need deliverance, the cross is enough, if we need healing, the cross is enough. Jesus has saved us from so many things, so be reminded of all that he has done, and be empowered to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit to live as Paul commands it is for freedom that Christ has set you free!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that we are alive in you. Thank you for making a way for us to live our own desires and nature behind and instead clothe ourselves in your glory. As we go about our day, help us to remember your Spirit and make choices that reflect our love for you. Amen.