LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:25-6:1-10

King James Version (KJV)

Galatians 5 25 tells us that as Christians we must live in and walk in the Spirit. This means that at some point we must become a changed people. We must have different purposes, and different goals in life than those who do not know Christ., for the majority of the people of earth live by a “me first” rule. Their goal is the most impressive house, in the best neighborhood, the finest new car, a private pool, and the latest fashion and adult toy available. If we are not very careful, we all find ourselves envious of those ahead of us in que. This time of the year, dealers are desperately clearing their lots of all of last year’s model motor cars. Prices are cut to the bone on the old, and all the improvements made to the new are emphasized. Speaking for myself, for the past thirteen years, we all grow restless with our “old” cars, and it is surprising how many new cars are lined up in the car ports at the subsidised apartment where we live. This year, even I have decided we need a new paint job on ours! The old paint was no longer protecting the metal.

When must this new view on life come about? When must we make that change? The apostle Peter pointed that out with just three words, “Repent and be baptized!” What happened there, Repent, change your way, and your goal in life. You have a new goal, not self, but others first. Why? Because you have the gift of the Holy Spirit, from that time on. That is, He becomes your guide. A few years ago, my car’s transmission acted up and it, and we, were carried to the service garage by the AAA. His vehicle that a navigator which told him every turn he must make to get where he had told it to take us. That’s the work of the Spirit in our lives. Christians have a personal navigator, but we have the power to override His urgings, as that driver did his navigator. I don’t think he actually made even one turn the voice told him to take. He knew better! Can we know better than God?

 

Galatians 5:

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:16)

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

(Philippians 2:3)

I had my car painted, but it still has the same number of miles on the clock, and it still has the same problems in it’s mechanical life It is thirteen years old, a few years more and it will be classed as a “classic” car! We have now reached the point of both of us being past the law of average life span.

Galatians 6:

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

(Galatians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Corinthians 2:15, 2 Corinthians 2:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:15, Hebrews 12:13, James 5:19, 1 Corinthians 4:21)

The Spirit is telling us, we have new goals. We are not first, we are last so let us make that change as quickly as possible, and let us set that example to both our blood and our spiritual family. To me, that is where our “Just One” responsibility really lies. If we are neglecting our brothers and sisters in Christ for those about us, is our motive right? We have to close our eyes, not to see that there are brothers and sisters in the Lord with needs, and are we blocking our ears to their needs with the sheer volume of our “music” ? I am reminded of Paul’s collections for the widows of Jerusalem. They deserve our aid as, many times, having been pillars of the faith. Are we in danger of being like the naughty child throwing a tantrum in order to get attention. He is putting “me” first?

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

(Romans 5:1, Romans 8:2, 1 Corinthians 9:21, James 1:25, James 2:12, 2 Peter 3:2)

3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

(Acts 5:361 Corinthians 3:18, 2 Corinthians 12:11)

This calls for self as to our real motive, It isn’t easy t realize why we do something is sometime more important that what? Ananias and his wife Sapphira realized this as soon as Peter began to question them. They were putting themselves before those in need.

4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

(1 Corinthians 11:26, Philippians 1:26)

In these days of “tax deductions” for charitable gifts, it may be impossible to totally keep one’s donations private, but, as much as is possible, that is the meaning of “prove you own work,” and “in himself alone.”  It comes back to the “motive” again.

5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

(Peter 9:12, Romans 14:12, 1 Corinthians 3:8)

6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

(1 Corinthians 9:11, 1 Corinthians 9:14, 2 Timothy 4:2)

This does not excuse the one without a gift for teaching, for there are other ways to each than in a classroom situation. Luke was often with Paul in his ministry, but I see him as being there as a caring assistant perhaps not a spokesman in the group who later wrote two of the books of our Bibles. Some “broadcast” by mouth, but others by the written word. The written, is there for years even after the writer is long gone.

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

(1 Corinthians 6:9, Job 13:9, 2 Corinthians 9:6)

While I admire Paul for his many letters and his faithfulness, I also admire Luke, Barnabas, and Timothy as being persons I have a better chance of following in their personalities and examples. They were a part of the team.  

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

(Job 4:8, Hosea 8:7, Romans 6:21, 1 Corinthians 15:42, Romans 8:11, James 3:18)

Clearly, when we urge our children to get a University education, if we were thinking of an increased future income, we are on the wrong track. They could be aiming to be a rich or famous sinner like the nameless rich man at whose gate Lazarus lay and begged for food. Riches gone, the rich man is not even given a name, but this is not told as a parable. It is told as an actual person and his end. It reminds us of another rich man who determined to tear down his barns and build bigger ones. That wasn’t the right answer, like the rich young ruler, of whom it was said that, Jesus loved him. He had a lot going for his life, but the love of his wealth and standing brought him down, and he is known simply as the rich young ruler.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

(1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Corinthians 4:1, Matthew 10:22, Hebrews 12:3, Hebrews 12:5, James 5:7)

Unfortunately, too many of us are impatient. God works in His time, not ours. He has a “mansion” reserved for us (I like the King James there. It says “mansion,’ others say “rooms.”

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

(Proverbs 3:27, John  12:35, Ephesians 2:19,Hebrews 3:6, 1 Peter 2:5, 1 Peter 4:17, Acts 6:7, Galatians 1:23)

It all boils down to, “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

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READ YOUR BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR

SEPTEMBER

22nd  Sunday  -  Isaiah 54, 55, 56,    Galatians 6,    Psalm 109:16-31

23rd  Monday  -  Isaiah 57, 58, 59,    Ephesians 1,  Psalm 110

24th  Tuesday  -  Isaiah 60, 61, 62,    Ephesians 2,    Psalm 111

25th  Wednesday  -  Isaiah 63, 64,    Ephesians 3,    Proverbs 23:19-27

26th  Thursday  -  Isaiah 65, 66,    Ephesians 4:1-16,    Psalm 112

27th  Friday  -  Micah 1, 2,    Ephesians 4:17-32,    Psalm 113

28th  Saturday  -  Micah 3, 4, 5,    Ephesians 5:1-16,    Psalm 114

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MEMORY VERSE

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”    -    Ephesians 4:32

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AT HOME

“Dad. Where did you eat when you were a kid?”

“It was a place called, ‘At Home.’” “Grandma cooked every day, and when grandpa got home from work, we sat around the dining table, and if we didn’t like what she put on the table, we were allowed to sit there until did like it.”