(Galatians 5:18) “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are
not under the law.”
The
only time we could ever truly claim being led by the Spirit, is when God is in
the picture. Imaginations and claims of hocus pocus will never cut it. It will
soon be obvious to all whether or not we are led by the Spirit of God. It’s God
in us that causes a change in our life-styles. How could a man be tearing down
a road of self-destruction and then the next day he does an about turn with onlooker’s
gobsmack as they consider the outcome? There was no 7 step program that was
followed, Satan looking to mimic the brilliance of God’s intervention with
decoys, leaving people with words like, “she’s a good person” or “you deserve
it”, self made individuals looking to be recognised by their own accomplishments
with people praising their efforts giving them the glory.
Christians
may find that they have been misled along their journey as born again
believers, having slipped into the ditch that they had been once saved from.
However, there will come a time in a true believers life where the Spirit of
God will lead them out of that ditch. He will bring about a change in their
lives. If and when God is in the picture there will be no mistaking His
presence. People may ridicule, and explain true conversion away with ridicule,
but the evidence will be unmistakable. Christian will make mistakes, it is part
of our growth and the Spirit of God will lead them into all truth, if and when
they have truly been called and saved by God. It is God, who calls according to
His purpose and not mans covetousness, and it’s God who foreknew those whom He
predestined to be conformed into the image of His Son and the reason for it all
is that we might be the first born amongst many brothers. The Spirit led Christian
awaits an inheritance that will be shared with Christ in eternity, Wow! It is
these individuals that “are not under law”.
We
cannot claim that we are freed from the law and use grace as a licence to
continue living in the yokes of bondage that once held us captive. The strength
of sin is the law, it’s the law that determines whether we are in breach or
not. Without the knowledge of the law we would not be guilty of a transgression.
It is the enemy’s objective to lure us back into our old habits, which at times
may have happened. However in the life of a Christian there must be progression
through it all. We must be maturing in grace where we will eventually begin to resemble
our great Saviour and His character, it cannot be any other way for the same
Spirit that is in Him is now in the born again believer and for this reason He
will lead us into righteousness. If led by the Spirit we will not be under the
law. Why? Christ has broken the shackles of sin, once and for all, never to be
repeated. Which implies that our shackles have now also been broken; the things
that once governed our lives are no longer ruled by those actions. We are new
creatures in Christ. Paul made this statement because the world is watching; “But
I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others
I myself should be disqualified.” (1Corinthians 9:27) - I know I have regrets and have had to seek
out God’s forgiveness for not sharing his sentiments. But thankfully God is
gracious and long suffering towards His children of which I am most certainly
guilty as charged, but with the Spirit of God leading me, I was not able to
continue down a road of self destruction, praise God for His mercy; a testimony
of many a Christian. Thank you Father God.
When
we begin to understand this, verses like these begin to make a lot more sense; “But
if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” Our old natures and
Satan with his deceptive lures looks for entrapment. However the Spirit of God
will always have the final say, of this I am convinced. It’s God in us who
works out salvation for our benefit and to His glory. We must all learn to walk
in the Spirit and the truth of the matter will be this; “But
I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For
the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit
are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing
the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under
the law.” (Galatians 5:16-18) – The believer can never excuse sin away as the
norm, if so we are not being Spirit led in the fashion that God has ordained.
Our lives must begin to mimic the pattern of our great Saviour. This is where
we learn to have confidence in the finished work of the cross. Praise the name
of Jesus and His accomplishments.
This
is what the Christian will guard against and not excuse it away as custom; Now
the works of the flesh are evident; sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry,
sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions,
divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I
warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom
of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is
no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:19-24)
Lord
willing we will look at all these points in a lot more depths, as it is
important to be aware of the enemy’s arsenal and then to put on the whole amour
of God to withstand the fiery darts of the devil.
Signing
off
Tyrone
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