Better Living through the Spirit
Notes
Transcript
Better Living through the Spirit
Better Living through the Spirit
We have been going through chapter 5 of Galatians to try and understand what life in Christ is meant to look like versus life outside of Christ.
Our author, Paul, makes an argument that sets in opposition the
Works of the flesh
Fruit of the Spirit
Now, let’s ask the important question.
Why does Paul want us to understand the difference?
Do you remember?
The Messiah set us free so that we could enjoy freedom! So stand firm, and don’t get yourselves tied down by the chains of slavery.
This verse out of context could lead you to believe that you are free to do anything you want.
If it feels good, do it.
If you want it, take it.
Paul does not want to leave us thinking that, meaning, you must keep reading.
The issue at hand is this:
Do we follow the law
Do we follow Christ
Another way of asking this question:
Do we acquire life by the law
Do we acquire life by Christ
Some are falling away… to believe you acquire life by the law…
You were running well. Who got in your way and stopped you being persuaded by the truth? This persuasion didn’t come from the one who called you!
Paul clearly says it was not God who told them to trust in the law for their life.
But it was someone or something that got them off track, believing that loyalty to the law was salvation.
Paul, being a smart man and guided by the Spirit of God flips the argument on them.
When God called you, my dear family, he called you to make you free. But you mustn’t use that freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, you must become each other’s servants, through love. For the whole law is summed up in one word, namely this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ But if you bite each other and devour each other, watch out! You may end up being destroyed by each other.
It was here that we asked the question:
How does this work?
Let me say this to you: live by the spirit, and you won’t do what the flesh wants you to.
Excellent! Now we know what to do.
But how?
Paul will go into a long list of 15 things that represent the ‘work of the flesh’
He will buffet that with 9 things that are called the ‘fruit of the spirit’
Why would he do that?
So you can recognize living by the spirit
And the work of the flesh
Otherwise, how do you know if you are producing works of the flesh or fruit of the spirit.
That is a quick summary of how we get to this point…
Now we can see Paul’s summary statement.
How does one let go of of the ‘works of the flesh’ and ‘live by the spirit?’
Paul’s answer is a bit graphic. More so than we might think.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
The imagery Paul draws from is striking.
I have been teaching you what “works of the flesh” means:
It is crafting a plan, and intentionally setting out to build a life that is entirely opposed to the Spirit.
Like building a chair.
Using Paul’s language, let’s run with that metaphor for just a moment
Those who belong to Messiah Jesus crucified (Completed Action) the flesh with its passions and desires.
Meaning, you and I must intentionally set out to crucify the ‘works of the flesh’ and see it as something already completed.
Do you think he means literal crucifixion?
Use the chair analogy.
Whatever stage you realize you are ‘building a project that is of the flesh’ that is the time to, mentally, crucify it.
But we won’t do this because we want our secret things to be hidden from God.
When we get before the cross of Jesus with our hidden, flesh like things, we don’t want to be there.
We feel shame. Powerless. Weak.
Like we are the biggest failure that ever walked the earth.
Wondering why it is that others can overcome what I cannot.
We might miss the point of the crucifixion.
The crucifixion of Christ stands as a victory over sin and evil, natural and supernatural, by killing evil through an act of love. (the first of the fruit of the Spirit)
His resurrection stands as a victory over death.
For us, we must see those works of the flesh as evil still working against us.
When we recognize it, we take that evil to its rightful place, the cross of Christ, and metaphorically nail it to the cross too.
Living by the Spirit is a two step process:
You crucify daily those passions and desires that are opposed to your life.
You intentionally seek the direction of the Spirit, daily, so as to truly live.
“But Jeremy, that sounds like a lot of work! I just want the step by step program. I want Jesus to be my cosmic life coach.”
Too many want the simplified, do it once and I am fixed forever, thing they must do.
Here is a secret you should know.
It does not exist. It is a lie.
How do we go about living by, walking with the Spirit?
All the usual things are important:
Prayer
Keeping good company (fellowship)
Studying your scriptures
Healthy thoughts
Recognizing your triggers, etc.
But at some point, you and I have to get out and live and walk.
Notice the language of Paul.
‘Let us be guided by the Spirit.’
Guided means going somewhere
Yes, all the normal Christian ‘to do’s’ are important.
Just as ‘works of the flesh’ are intentional
So is ‘living by the Spirit’ intentional
Too many people are interested in the Cosmic Life Coach Jesus.
I would rather you be interested in the Cosmic power of Jesus that transforms you into the person you were created to be.
And yes, the cross exists to kill evil powers
And yes, the empty tomb exists to make you alive to the Spirit, so you can be in step with God.
And yes, you MUST be intentional about leaving the flesh at the cross, daily.
And yes, you MUST be intentional about seeking the steps of the Spirit, daily.
And then your life will be perfect, right?
That will be our discussion when we return in two weeks!
Better Living through the Spirit
Better Living through the Spirit
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