Walk In The Spirit

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Psalms 105, 106 and Galatians 5.

The Psalmist, in these 2 psalms reminds the reader of the history of Israel, no less tumultuous by reason of unbelief.

A thousand years down, Paul continues to exhort a spiritual Israel, still teetering between the Old and the New, as we've seen so far in the book of Galatians.
In chapter 5, Paul continues to drive home the point that as Christians, citizens of the spiritual Kingdom, why seek the old again? Why be bound when we've been loosed?

At the same time, Paul reminds the reader of the greater calling/responsibility as a result of this freedom. It is not uncommon, speaking from personal experience before my conversion, for people to observe, even mock at Christians for being able to do whatever we want, since we can always "ask for forgiveness". To this we loudly echo Paul's sentiments - GOD FORBID! (c.f. Rom 6:1,2) In NO way is God's grace a "license" to sin or wanton desires!

No doubt there would be "black sheep" in the "Christian" world at large, yea, even within the Church. But what God has willed for us, as new creatures in Christ is to truly forsake the works of the flesh (Gal 19:21) but to walk in the spirit and cultivate the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:16; Gal 5:22,23; 25).

So what is our spiritual walk?
The bible tells us not to walk in our own ways but that we have been raised to walk in newness of life (Act 14:16; Rom 6:4)
Not after the flesh but after the Spirit (Rom 8:1,4)
Not as men but as called by God (1Co 3:3; 7:17)
Not by sight but by faith (2Co 5:7)
Not as the Gentiles but as God has ordained and as worthy of our vocation (Eph 2:10; 4:1,17)
Not in darkness but in light (1Jn 1:6;7)
Not after our own ungodly lusts but after his commandments in truth (Jud 1:18; 2Jo 6; 3Jn 4)
Walk in love (Eph 5:2)
Walk in wisdom (Col 4:5)
Walk honestly (1Th 4:12)
Walk circumspectly (soberly, diligently) (Eph 5:15)
Walk as children of light (Eph 5:8)
Walk by the rule of Christ (Phi 3:16)
Walk in Christ (Col 2:6)
Walk worthy of the Lord God (Col 1:10; 1Th 2:12)

Walk in the manner after the fruit of spirit. Notice our walk is active and alive! We are raised in newness of life not as emotionless zombies! That is why we are made alive in the Spirit, so as to WALK in the Spirit (Gal 5:25). Abounding in a spiritually fruitful walk is the best and indeed only guard against going back to our old worldly ways and from which we are justified and where there's no condemnation (c.f. Gal 5:23 - against such there is no law: i.e. no condemnation. c.f. Rom 8:1; 2Co 3:9)

The Lord help us all in our walk in the Spirit, with our heads held up high in Christ, ever marching on, never looking back, pressing on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! (Phi 3:14)

In Him
Paul

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. ~ Luke 14:26,27