[Anglican Communion 26 July 2020] Topic: Live By The Spirit

Posted by: Henry || Categories: Devotional

TOPIC: Live By The Spirit

READ: Galatians 5:16-26 (NKJV)

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
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.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
And those [who are] Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
THE MESSAGE:

Our passage today sets before us two kinds of lives and their outcomes. The first is the life that is lived under the control of sin. Such a life brings forth nothing good. Such a life is characterised by all sorts of evil practices. It does no good to anyone. It harms both the person who lives it and the people he comes in contact with. But of course, sin is a tool of destruction in Satan’s hands; and the only mission of Satan is to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). Does this describe your life?

The second kind of life in our passage is the life lived under the control of the Spirit of God. Any life lived under the total control of the Spirit is always about good, truth and righteousness. The characteristics of such a life are also listed and one cannot miss them. When Jesus Christ comes into one’s life, the Spirit of God also begins to live and direct that life. That person attracts the blessings of God both to himself/herself as well as to the people he/she comes in contact with. Most importantly, the final destination of the sin-controlled life is eternal damnation, but the Spirit-controlled life ultimately inherits the Kingdom of God. Where do you belong?

PRAYER: Jesus, I invite You to be the Lord of my life. Let the Holy Spirit control all I do and say and think. Amen.

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