Two Wars, Flesh & Spirit
Galatians 5:17
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the
Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with
each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want”.
The
Apostle Paul is the writer of this Epistle (Letter) to a group of churches in Galatia.
Why? The Galatia churches were facing a double threat. One had involved purity
of doctrine and the other purity of conduct, the latter is what I am addressing.
Certain individuals (False teachers etc.) had entered Galatia and would pervert
the Gospel of Christ (1:7; 5:10). The
Galatians were already yielding to this Judaizing (legalist error, read (1:6; 3:1; 4:10).
Apostle
Paul overwhelmingly crushed all arguments and answers the errors that a
believer is made spiritually mature by keeping the law – by setting forth the
truth of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, and the richness of life
available to every believer when the Holy Spirit rules the Christian whom HE
indwells.
I find
myself in a conflicting struggle with a few of my fellow Christians/ Believers
of Jesus Christ who I respect and do love. It has become so clear to me that apparently
some believe they can live a private life of secret immoral behaviors and stand
behind the sacred desk of God and preach His word with no convictions of
choices and more importantly no payday is coming after while (No consequences)
for them. The Holy Scriptures tells us “For
the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). For so long we have accepted one
of many thin line phases like: “you’re judging”
which I believe is a lie to cause some to back away and avoid speaking and
standing in faith for the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Apostle Paul confronted the many churches
throughout the New Testament, he was not judging, he was correcting with truth
in love. I’m learning that some Christians don’t want to be corrected; due to driven
by pride, the lust of the flesh and eye (1
John 2:16). Some consciously rely not on the grace of God but, greasy grace
(a false grace) to keep them out of hell, which is a ploy, a lie from the hater
(Satan) of our very souls to deceive us into his kingdom of hell.
Galatians 5:16-17 along with the entire Word of
God, the Holy Bible, the Kingdom Constitution, all these titles are one, and is
the Holy Scriptures of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We must wake
up from out stupor/sleep and confess that we are without excuse. Romans 3:11 says; “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is
running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first
believed”. Jesus said; “We (you and I) are His workmanship, created
in Him….” (Ephesians 2:10). No
longer can we afford to justify our immoral behaviors with popular excuses such
as “we live in this fallen world”, “Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this
world” (John 18:36).
Jesus Christ set us free by His shed blood on
the cross at Calvary some 2000 years ago (We are without excuse). We must make
the only decision there is to be made in our walk with God in this fallen world
and that is to stand. Stand for the truth, the Gospel that Jesus came and left
for us to live by. He ascended to heaven so the Holy Spirit could descend on
earth and live in us (the Kingdom of God is within you). Stand, when you have done all to stand,
continue to STAND!!! It is not the most
popular choice, but for those of us who stand behind God’s sacred desk and
declare HIS WORD, it is the only choice. We know the Holy Spirit within us will
lead and guide us into all truth according to (John 16:13) when we invite Him
to dwell within us by surrendering to His Lordship and leadership.
We are accountable to the Lord for preaching and
teaching His WORD, then, by choice are not living what we preach. Jesus said “…the Kingdom is already in you” (Luke 17:
20-21). I know all of us are subject to falling into sin, but, we must come
to a conscience place in ourselves realizing that God has made a way of escape.
1Corinthians 10:13 declares; “No
temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you
are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it”.
Yes, we will be challenged and
tempted by choices that may result into sin, yet, with the aid of the Spirit of
God living in us, HE will keep, guide, hold and lead us if we submit to
obedience to Him.
A letter
for us all who carry the Gospel in us…
We give thanks to God always for all
of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
3 remembering before our God and Father your
work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved
by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because
our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy
Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be
among you for your sake. 6 And you
became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much
affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so
that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
8 For not only has the word of the Lord
sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone
forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For
they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you,
and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he
raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Yours’ in Christ,
Apostle Paul
1 Thessalonians 1: 2-10
