LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
Introduction:
We
all wish for a happy and fulfilled life. How we arrive at that goal varies from
person to person. The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right
mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life
in a way that makes you happy.
Psychologists define happiness this way; Happiness is
an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment,
and fulfillment. While happiness has many different definitions, it is often
described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction." [1]
When most people talk about happiness, they might be
talking about how they feel in the present moment—under the prevailing economic
conditions, soaring grocery and gas prices at over $5 a gallon, not many happy
faces are there at gas stations and grocery stores.
Many advise us that a happy and fulfilled life depends
entirely on us. Only a few people come to God in pursuit of happiness. If you follow
the advice of Bill Murray (actor in Ghostbusters) or Oprah Winfrey, you may
enjoy life in the short term, but in the long run, you will be frustrated and
never reach the deepest fulfillment that comes from living by the Spirit.
Last week we saw the difference between a life controlled
by sin and a life controlled by the Spirit. Today we will discover life in the
Spirit. Galatians 5:16-26. Here is a bit of background on Paul's letter
to the Galatians. The Galatian believers quickly turned away from God, who
called them unto Himself through His Son Jesus Christ.
They began to follow controversies instead of
following the truth of the Gospel. To an extent, Paul called them, "Oh foolish
Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? Galatians forgot that Christ
freed them from their bondage to sin. Now they could live to please God rather
than satisfy themselves. They began to enslave themselves to sin all over
again.
So, he urged them, saying, "So Christ has truly
set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don't get tied up again in
slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1. What do we have in common with the
Galatians? Those born again are called of God unto Himself. Jesus has broken
the chains of sin, guilt, and death and freed us to a life of peace and deep
fulfillment.
Unfortunately, like the Galatians, many Christians
everywhere are giving up their true freedom in Christ and enslaving themselves
again to sin. They fall away from their faith by following empty philosophies
and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and the spiritual
powers of this world rather than Christ.
How can we hold on to our faith when everything
pressures us to give it up? How can we remain free? Let us take Paul's advice
in Galatians 5:16-26 and discover life in the Spirit. We find life and peace
when we follow the instructions of the Holy Spirit, our life coach.
I.
The Holy Spirit is our Life Coach.
These days there is so much demand
for a life coach. I saw this impressive Ad for a life Coach, "The guide
you want—the push you need. With your world-class Coach, you'll get clarity on
what's next, build confidence, and get honest feedback. One-on-one coaching
sessions and our extensive learning library deliver expert guidance when it
matters most."
I am not discounting what a life
coach may offer, but who can do a better job free of cost other than the Holy
Spirit? For Christians, we have a life coach who knows our past, present, and
future. He knows how to counsel, comfort, and direct us on the right path we
should go. Best of all, he is not around the corner but lives inside us. You
can call on him anytime!
That was the advice the Apostle Paul
gave to Galatians. Vs. 16, So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then
you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves." A real-time life coach concerned about your overall well-being shows you what is best for
you.
Even more, the Holy Spirit, our life coach, is concerned
with our overall well-being. So, as per Paul's advice, why don't we let the
Holy Spirit guide our lives? If we live by the Flesh or sinful nature, we will
eat its fruit, bringing death and disqualifying us from God's Kingdom.
But
if we live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will bear His fruit and have
life and peace.
II.
The Fifteen Works of the Flesh Vs. 19-21
These
fifteen fruits can be put into four categories of sins Vs. 19-21, "When
you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: The
first category of three sexual violations: 1. Sexual immorality,
or
"fornication" is the broadest term, denoting any immoral sexual
intercourse or relationship. 2. Impurity refers to a person who
was either morally or ceremonially unclean. Paul uses it almost exclusively for
moral impurity. 3. Lustful pleasures.
The second
category of two religious' sins, 4. Idolatry, 5. Sorcery.
The third category of eight sins regarding other human beings—social
sins; 6. Hostility, 7. Quarreling, 8. Jealousy,
9. Outbursts of anger, 10. Selfish ambition, 11. Dissension,
12. Division, 13. Envy. The fourth category of
two pagan sins 14. Drunkenness, 15. Wild parties
and other sins like these.
Some of these sins are overtly publicly
committed, while others, like envy, jealousy, and lust, could be the sins of
the heart. Why should Christians avoid wild parties? Christians are not to live
how people of the world live and love what they love. The only things you will
find at wild parties are smoking, drunkenness, worldly music, sex, more drugs,
other evilness, and possibly fights. Believers are to take no part in evil but
expose it instead. How do we do that?
III.
The Nine Part Fruit of the Holy Spirit Vs. 22-23
The Holy Spirit, He produces in the life of a believer
a nine-part fruit that contains: 1. Love, 2. Joy, 3. Peace, 4. Patience, 5. Kindness,
6. Goodness, 7. Faithfulness, 8. Gentleness, and 9. Self-control. When we live
by this fruit, we overcome the Flesh and find life in the Spirit.
This fruit of the Holy Spirit doesn't happen all at
once. Like any regular fruit, it grows in time. In other words, these nine beautiful
aspects of a Spirit-filled Christian become more and more evident as they cooperate
with the Holy Spirit in cultivating this Fruit of the Spirit.
I suggest the following to bear fruit of the Holy
Spirit in our lives. First, spending time in the word (the Bible), allowing our
minds to be renewed and transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Secondly,
recognize that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Therefore,
let us not defile this temple (our body) by indulging in sexual immorality.
Because the Holy Spirit resides in us, we don't watch, read or listen to anything.
Could it be that we have become desensitized to seeing violence and impurity?
Thirdly according to Galatians 5:24-26, The Spirit-led
life has everything to do with our relationships. "Those who belong to
Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his
cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us
follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited,
or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another."
Fourthly, we need to let Him control every part of our
lives. Ephesians 4:30-32 explains beautifully how this Spirit-controlled life
functions. "And
do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has
identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of
redemption.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words,
and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each
other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has
forgiven you."
This is my prayer, "that from his glorious,
unlimited resources, he will empower you with inner strength through his
Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your
roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. Eph 3:16-17. Amen.
