Chico Alliance Church
“Life in the Spirit”
Review
The truths communicated to the churches of Southern Galatia are as needful and life-changing today as it was when Paul first recorded them. God supernaturally shared truth through ordinary men so that we might have our senses trained to the things of the spirit and so be equipped for every good work. That truth comes in the form of direct teaching (doctrine), reproof, correction and instruction in living right. The main thread of truth in this letter deals with true freedom which comes by grace through faith in and relationship with Christ
I. Paul Professed the Correct credentials from Christ 1-2
II. Paul Proclaimed the Correct Concept of life in Christ 2:15-5:12
III. Paul Prescribed the Correct Conduct of life in Christ 5:13-6:10
After clearly emphasizing the fact that man acquires both salvation and sanctification on the basis of hearing with faith, Paul, in this final section, drew their attention to four basic differences concerning life lived by the Spirit as opposed to life lived by the energy of the flesh.
Life lived according to the Spirit of life in Christ…
1 – Serves, not swallows one another 5:13-15
2 – Lives by submission to the Spirit not the flesh 5:16-26
3 – Restores and bear one another’s burdens 6:1-5
4 – Sows to the Spirit not to the flesh by sharing 6:6-11
A. Life in the Spirit serves not swallows one another
Today we will continue our thoughts on the matter of submission to the Spirit and the battle with the flesh. Our current passage identifies an internal war, a conflict, a battle that continually rages in every Christian. Not only must we wage war against a system of thinking and behaving contrary to God and His word, but there is an internal war with a residue flesh energized by both the world system and the devil. You are all well aware of both the internal and external war. These specific battle grounds have been strewn with casualties of war since the fall of Adam. We rejoice in the knowledge of the ultimate outcome of this war, yet struggle daily on the personal level to rise victorious in the battles. Paul offers significant truth concerning this war intended to encourage and equip us in the war against the flesh.
Are you tired of living in defeat?
Do you have a deep longing to live victorious over the flesh.
Application of the truth that Paul shares here and in other passages which we will explore in coming weeks can bring the renewal we long to see in our lives and in the life of this church family.
B. Life in the spirit lives by the spirit not the flesh
“BUT” (As opposed to a flesh driven walk which results in biting and devouring…) Walk by the Spirit” AND (result) You will not carry out the desire of the flesh”
Paul dedicated a good deal of space in this letter to describing the contrast of a life lived according to the desires of the flesh and a life lived by the desires and energy of the Spirit. Of course Scripture confronts us with the stark contrast throughout. Here, however, is on of the more striking contrasts. Even though we cannot see the flesh or the Spirit, like the wind, their effects are plainly felt and seen.
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
How do you know you have mice? Even though you may not see them, they are known by their droppings. he Bible identifies the droppings of the flesh all through.
Paul knew the Corinthians lapsed to a flesh walk by their behavior.
For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
Paul told the Colossians
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. Col. 3:5-11
James contrasts a life lived in the wisdom of the Spirit as opposed to the natural, earthly, demonic driven life.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
A life directed by the Spirit looks all together different.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Col. 3:12-14
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:14-18
Paul urges these believers to walk in the Spirit and they would not fulfill the desires of the flesh. he Word for walk here is actually the common word for walk with the preposition around linked in front of it. t means to walk around, conduct ones life. Walk by the direction and desire of the Holy Spirit who works through our spirit. Doing so will enable us to not fulfill or satisfy the appetite or desire of the residue flesh that still seeks to find satisfaction through the things of the flesh. The word desire used here referred to the appetites or drive for food or sex. It came to be used for unbridled passion and desire for things of the flesh. Paul declares that if we live our life under the direction and help of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, we will not be driven by the impulses of the flesh. The desires of the flesh cannot be controlled by law. Paul does not say make more laws or try to keep the law in order to control the desires of the flesh. In fact, he plainly taught the Colossians that trying to control fleshly indulgence or manifestations by more laws is futile. A focus on trying to keep people and the flesh under control by external means may have the appearance of wisdom and religious benefit but is of no real value in controlling the flesh. Apart from the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, the flesh cannot be controlled, the battles against the flesh cannot be won consistently.
Paul called the Colossians to “hold fast to Christ the Head”, not laws. Paul instructs the Galatians to walk in the Spirit. Before going further it might be helpful to again try to understand the issues and elements that go to make up this conflict.
Paul further describes the internal conflict that rages in the soul.
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit and the Spirit sets its desire against the flesh For these are in opposition to one another So that you man not do the things that you please.”
The verb used here is the same as above for desire or longing and is in the present tense. The flesh continually desires things opposed by the Spirit. The spirit continually desires things opposed by the flesh The result is a war that prevents us from continually doing the things that the new person in Christ really wants and longs to be at the very core of their being. Paul adamantly asserts in his letter to the Romans, that the longing of the new inner man is to live according to the law of God. His answer to the internal dilemma in Romans is the same thing he here offers to the Galatians.
THEREFORE there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2
“Since you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
The word translated “led” in this passage was a term used for education or breeding or training certain behavior. Since you are instructed by the spirit, led by the spirit, directed by the spirit, then you are not under law. There is no need for the laws when you are under the direct tutelage of the law giver. The wonder of the New Covenant is that the laws would be engraved upon the heart not on tablets of stone. Rather than imposing a list of rules we are unable to keep, we have a loving. resident encourager intent on our welfare to not only teach us the law but enable us to obey it. Paul clearly teaches that if you want to win the battle against the pull and drives of the flesh you must walk in the Spirit. Other expressions I believe all point to a similar principle. Walk by the Spirit. Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Abide in Christ. Live by the Spirit.
It is important to note that if God commands it, God enables it. Our victory against the flesh by the work of the Holy Spirit commences with regeneration and baptism into the body of Christ on the basis of hearing with faith. Our victory continues with the filling and renewing of the Holy Spirit on the basis of hearing with faith.
Paul painted this point clearly in 3:5.
Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:5
The Holy Spirit responds and works in our life on the basis of hearing with faith. Paul prayed that the Colossian believers be filled with and infused with a knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so that they might walk worthy of their calling.
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Col. 1:10-12
The Holy Spirit is a person to be believed and trusted and obeyed not a force or feeling to be attained. Enablement to walk the walk comes through a relationship of humble reliance on the Holy Spirit who resided within every believer. He works in our life as we surrender to His agenda, His plan, His will, His way. The moment we insist on our agenda, our plan, our will, our way we face the battle in our own strength. A good part of our struggle with the flesh is that we are not convinced that life cannot be found or experienced at the flesh level. The culture in which we live and the life-styles we choose have so energized the flesh that we continually fall prey to the lie that that is where real life is found. What do we do when depressed? Where do we go to escape? What do we do to feel alive? If our sense of feeling alive comes only on the level of the senses and the flesh we will continually lose the battle. The flesh will be energized and sensitized to the things of this world while the spirit will become desensitized to the eternal things of God. The truth is that we are body soul and spirit. It is the spiritual dimension that furnishes significance to all the other areas. God designed us to relate to him on the level of the Spirit.
“God is spirit and they who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
God created us to soar in the heavenlies. Paul urged the Colossians to hold fast to the Head.
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Col. 3:1-4
We are more than flesh, body, mind, will. emotion. We are spiritual beings. Therefore, says Paul, put aside the deeds of the flesh and pursue the life of the spirit.
How do we do it? If the Holy Spirit agrees to come along side on the basis of hearing with faith then we must pursue that which builds faith.
A great illustration of the principle of the Christian walk is a hot air balloon.
Two things are necessary to rise above the earth.
1 – Hot air heated by a burner.
2—Release the tethers that keep the balloon tied to the ground.
Two choices for heating the air -- Fire up the burner or Fill it by your own breath.
Trying to live the Christian life by the energy of the flesh and keeping the law is like trying to fill a hot air balloon by blowing into it. We must invite the fire of the indwelling Holy Spirit to heat the air of our members by faith. Faith turns to the Holy Spirit to heat the balloon. Our attention must not be to try to fill up the balloon, our attention must be focused on what encourages faith.
The Holy Spirit only works in our life in response to faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Whatever is not of faith is sin.
Faith engages the cooperation and ministry of the Holy Spirit. There is no victory over the flesh apart from the Holy Spirit. Surrender to the Spirit of Christ is the only way we may walk the walk of Christ. One key to victory in this battle with the flesh is a willing surrender to the Spirit. Paul alludes here also in this passage to another element in our victory over the flesh.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Vs 24
Whereas crucifixion is nearly always passive, here it is active. We have been crucified with Christ. Here we crucify the flesh. Paul makes other references to this attitude toward the flesh such as mortify the flesh or put to death the deeds of the flesh. Crucifixion was an act of judgment upon a heinous criminal. In recognition of the seriousness of their crimes, guilt was pronounced and sentenced carried out without remorse or hesitation. Paul indicates here that those who embrace Christ sometime have recognized the wickedness of the flesh and its influence and have agreed with God concerning the necessity and justice of a sentence of death. Death may not be immediate but judgment is final and eventually fatal. I am not so sure we are disgusted with the flesh. We identify with the flesh. We coddle the flesh. We appeal to the flesh. We pardon the flesh. We have failed to really view the flesh as all that bad and undeserving us such a harsh sentence. We must cut the ropes of the flesh that hold us down if we are to ever get more than a few feet off the ground. Not only does victory over the flesh depend on a full surrender and cooperation with the Holy Spirit who heats our air but a refusal to give mercy to the enemy who ties us to the ground. Satan fools us into thinking that if we crucify the flesh, we will die with it.
In a sense that is true. Unless a seed fall to the ground and dies there is not life. He who saves his life will lose it. He who loses his life will find it. He who would follow me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. The way to life is the cross. Walk in the spirit! Put to death the flesh! Heat the air! Cut the ropes. Release the weights.
God granted us life by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Since that is true, Paul urges these believers to fall in line with his renewing, transforming work.
If (since) we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
The word walk here is different than the first one. Whereas the first “walk” indicated a manner or way of life, this “walk” refers to “keeping in step, getting in line”. Since God gave you new life by the Holy Spirit, get in line with Him, surrender to Him, rely on Him not the flesh to teach you what life is all about. Life lived by the direction and energy of the spirit bears spiritual fruit. So become more like Christ, don’t become boastful, challenging one another and envying one another. How does this happen? If faith is the triggering element that not only saves but sanctifies, then we must concentrate on those things that continually build faith.
First, faith is a gift.
Second faith is initiated and perfected by Christ.
Third, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
Fourth, faith is build by fellowship and encouragement of the saints.
Fifth, faith develops through prayer.
Sixth, faith comes through experience with God.
The early church experienced the power of God because they devoted themselves to those things which built faith. The later church lost their first love because they left the deeds they did at first. The later church stopped relying upon eternal resources and became self-sufficient.
Where are we today?
How many of these things are priorities. Check your schedules. Look at your goals. To compensate for lack of power over the flesh we redefine life in Christ.
When we as individuals and a church become keenly aware of our own nakedness and desperate need and the wickedness of our flesh…
When we become dissatisfied with a watered down concept of the Christian walk…
then and only then will we be in a place to cry out to Him to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
then an only then will we stand in judgment over the flesh and agree to the sentence of death.
As we do, we will find that with heated air and severed ropes our balloon ascends above the earthly into the heavenlies where we will experience the wonder of eternal life. For in reality that is where our life is hidden with Christ in God. We will continue our discussion of life in the spirit on into the new year from some of the other main passages.
Today
Admit lack of faith.
Agree to surrender fully
Assent to the execution of the flesh
