“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
As I contemplate this rather innocuous passage many things seem to jump out at me. Many questions that have teased mankind and confounded theologians down the centuries jump out at me from this passage. Aside from the intellectual challenge of this passage there are also the challenges it offers even the oldest Christians.
Over the next few devotionals I would like to look at this passage, and it’s context (Galatians 5: 13-26) and raise these issues and questions again. We may not get answers, but I am sure we will get some benefit out of working through them both intellectually and more importantly practically.
I want to cover the essence of the Christian faith – what does it mean to follow Christ? I want to talk about the freedoms we have in Christ, and related issues such as “Now I am saved, can I do whatever I want?” “No one can judge me, I am justified by Christ.” and “How closely do I have to follow the rules?”
I also want to consider if there are some laws that are optional and others that are more important? What does God think is the worst sins – Homosexuality? Sex? Divorce? Murder? What are the things we do that upset God most? What are the things that please him the most? What should we be focusing on?
I also want to answer the questions like “Does God really answer prayer?” “Will he really give me anything I ask for, even if I ask for a million dollars?” Is it wrong to want to be successful and rich? Can a Christian be ambitious and a go-getter, or does he have to be poor and meek?
Then there are controversial questions like “What is the Holy Spirit?”, “Why is he important?” and “What does it mean ‘to walk by the Spirit?” I also want to use this passage to deal with these questions too. I want to look at how we can walk by the spirit (in a very practical way), considering how we know we are doing it right, as well as asking if it really works or it’s just a bit of “superstitious hocus-pocus?” I also would like to spend some times talking about what advantages and disadvantages of living life this way.
Over the next few devotionals I will use this one passage to look at each of these issues and many others besides. In doing so I will get to the heart of what I think it means to be a Christian. I know that many who read my devotionals might not agree with me. I don’t mind that. If you come to the same conclusions as me that’s great! If not then all I ask is that you consider this passage and what it says with an open and inquiring mind, and by doing that you will draw closer to God as a result.
God Bless,
Matt.
