live by the Spirit, not by rules
Galations Chapter 5 is one of the best chapters in the Bible for me. It talks all about living in the freedom of Christ, not as a slave to a rule-making system. You see, I grew up in the church but I’ve been a slave to a rule-keeping system for most of my life. I believe I’ve had a relationship with Christ since I was a young child but I was supplementing my relationship with Christ with a system of rule-keeping that I invented. I thought that I made God happy, and therefore made myself happy, by following all the “do’s and don’ts” in of a “Christian” life. Really, I was “alienated from Christ” (Galations 5:4) by living this way because it was about what I was doing instead of what Christ already did for me. It was the opposite of having a relationship with Him.
So what does it mean for me to live by the spirit? The Message version of this verse says to “live freely, animated and motivated by God’s spirit.” For me, living freely means believing that nothing I do (i.e., going to church, reading the Bible, praying, giving, serving, etc.) can make God love me more. His love is free! Likewise, no approval from another person can fill me up or satisfy/justify me. So I should stop trying to please others! Live “animated and motivated by God’s spirit” means loving others (5:6,13-14). God’s heart is to love others so if I am motivated by God’s spirit than I should be loving others. Only by living through the power of Christ’s Spirit can I begin to be free from the cravings of my sinful nature – even if that craving is a system of man-made rules.
Thanks for your FOA this morning. It is a reminder for me to stay focused on what is important and not let the things of this world get me off track. Keeping my eyes on God and not being distracted looking for approval. Great thoughts.
Peter and Katie – congrats on Nathan! We’d love to bring dinner by so if you have a meal calendar set up, pls shoot it our way. See you soon!
YES!! …and I agree with what Frank said above.
Peter,
My name is Lea Anne and I am a rule creator, rule follower, and rule enforcer. WOW..it feels good to confess that! Now to get to the BIG job of living by Christ’s Spirit, which frees me from my enslavement! Thank you for your posting. Lea Anne
“the law is a tutor that leads to Christ, by faith we are justified, He gives us life..be filled with the Spirit and bear fruit.” Sho Baraka Thanks Peter!