Walk In The Spirit :: By Brother Bill Oldham
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).
Clearly, the apostle Paul was dealing with a huge problem in the church at Galatia. Men had come in who were teaching them that they had to follow the Law of Moses to be saved. They weren’t denying Christ or the cross but were saying that faith in Christ wasn’t sufficient for the salvation of the Gentiles: they must adhere to the Law to be saved.
In addressing this issue, Paul, in Galatians 5, teaches truths for Christians, both Jew and Gentile, that is timeless for all generations of believers in Christ. Context is important, but the word of God is not limited to time or context. And in Galatians 5, God’s word gives us some very important insights as we seek to live out our Christian life.
One of the goals of the Christian life is to be fruitful, and all through the New Testament, this is emphasized in several different ways—but it’s there. And the Holy Spirit is given to every believer in order to work in us that which will bring forth fruit to the glory of God and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. From start to finish: the planting, watering, and bringing forth fruit: it’s all of God, and from God.
I could say here that Paul summarizes everything that needs to be said by his simple command to the Galatian church: four words: “Walk in the Spirit.” But that raises a very big question: what does it mean to walk in the Spirit? The word of God gives us the answer.
Walking in the Spirit is to walk by faith. We have never seen Jesus Christ; we have never audibly heard Him speak; we didn’t see Him crucified, and we didn’t see Him resurrected. And yet, we believe in Him; we testify that His blood has washed away all our sins; that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. We call on His name, and daily thank Him for His love to us. That’s walking in the Spirit; that’s being led by the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit is to walk in hope. Jesus left us with two wonderful, precious promises. He said He was going to prepare a home for us: an eternal home of never-ending love, joy and peace where we will enjoy being in the presence of the Father and Jesus forever. And all of that in a city of indescribable beauty.
Jesus also promised to come back and get us and personally take us to our new home. Paul describes that transforming, glorious day when Jesus comes for us; that moment when faith becomes sight; when we meet the One Who died for us, face to face.
“…The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
“Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17/1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
As we daily embrace and hope for that day, we are walking in the Spirit; we are being led by the Spirit.
Walking in the Spirit is to walk in love. Jesus’ last command to His church could not be any clearer:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
The apostles were faithful to emphasize that this command of Jesus was of first importance in a believer’s life.
Paul: “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves has fulfilled the law” (Romans 12:9-10/13:8).
Peter: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22).
John: “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another” (1 John 3:10-11).
Big question: what does this love look like? First of all, in the regular assembly meetings, you make it your business to meet those you are there with. You want to know their name, and show yourself friendly. As a Pastor and church goer for all of my Christian life, it is appalling how so many “church folks” want to promote and get in the spirit of things: preaching, singing, get-togethers, and etc., but are completely unwilling to reach out to new faces, or even old faces, let alone love them.
Godly love seeks to serve one another with the gift/gifts God has given us: teaching, encouraging, giving, helping, leading, showing mercy, and above all, always ready to overlook the faults of others and forgive them. Walking in love toward one another is walking in the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit.
One final thought from Galatians 5. Your flesh, your old man, will fight you on this all the way home. Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing. Do not be alarmed or surprised when you want to do right and something inside of you wants to shut you down. In the power of the Holy Spirit, we rise and follow Jesus. And when we faithfully seek to do this, the fruit of the Holy Spirit will break forth to the glory of God.
Walk In The Spirit!
Brother Bill Oldham
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