Good morning brothers in Christ,
The Apostle Paul encourages us at the end of Galatians 5 to "keep in step with the Holy Spirit".
Powerful image...
But, how can I match the strides of the Holy Spirit?... Of God?
And for how long? Always?... Exhausting.
Remember when you were a kid trying to take huge steps to keep pace with your dad, grandpa or some adult figure.
Exhausting indeed.
Maybe this is not what Paul is saying.
"Keep in step"..... more like, "follow the Holy Spirit"
Watch where He goes and follow.
Watch His choices and choose likewise.
Keep the spirit within us on the same path as the Holy Spirit.
As Paul says..."walk in the spirit".
As good as that sounds, I often struggled with this instruction.
I mean, How?
Spirit... flesh... I get the concept, but I am me... both at the same time.
Paul acknowledges that too and explains the battle between these 2 parts of me.
Maybe you feel the same.
God had to simplify it for me... I like simple.
In verse 19 Paul says, "the ways of the flesh are obvious" and he goes on to list a bunch of stuff that isn't good in God's eyes.
In verse 22 he then lists the good stuff, the fruit, the stuff that pleases God.
Our flesh likes the bad stuff.... our spirit and the Holy Spirit likes the good stuff.
So, if I see my behavior is listed in the bad stuff... I'm walking in the flesh... all about me... to live My Way (sounds like a song I once sang).
To live in the Spirit we need to live God's Way.
Here's the kicker.... I cannot walk in the spirit alone...
I need God to help me walk upright, in right standing, circumspectly before Him.
I need Him to show me.... I need to keep in step.
Isn't that why Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit?
Think about it!
Strength and Honor, but Only for His Glory,
MDN Coach Dennis Labriola
Author of Seventh-Inning Stretch: Reflection on the Game of Life
Seventh-Inning Stretch: Reflections on the Game of Life by Dennis Labriola, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
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