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Our Spiritual Journey:
Walk in the Spirit
by Pastor Alex Lindsay
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Reference: Galatians 5:16-26

We have been tracing the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. We start life spiritually dead. New Birth is the first necessity. After new life is established, there must begin the process of growing and serving. The fruit of the Spirit will emerge in our lives and begin to mature us, as followers of Christ. In order to serve God, we must discover our spiritual gift/gifts. Spiritual gifts need to be developed and then put to use. We need to be operating under the influence of the Spirit, not with our natural, fleshly wisdom and passion. The Scriptures call this being filled with the Spirit. Now we need to understand the Spirit's work of leading us and how we are to walk in the Spirit.

In the book of Galatians, Paul begins by stating that his conversion was a work of God's grace, not a work of man's influence. The Spirit of Christ revealed to him his need of salvation and that Christ was the only way to have true life (Galatians 1:1,11-16; 2:20). Paul would have us understand that the Spirit of God begins a work in us and will perfect that work throughout our lives (Galatians 3:1-3). The Spirit of God operates by establishing a relationship of faith in God's promises, rather than just fleshly attempts to keep commandments (Galatians 3:10-14). When we receive the salvation of Christ by faith, we are given the Spirit of Christ, who will dwell in us and confirm unto us that we are God's children (Galatians 4:4-7 cp. Romans 8:14-16; Ephesians 1:12-14). It is God's Spirit that works in us to stand strong by faith in God's grace and promises (Galatians 5:1,5-6). Our Scripture reading (Galatians 5:16-26) gives us strong counsel to Walk in the Spirit - not to walk in the flesh.

  • Walking in the Spirit means having a war with the flesh - Galatians 5:16-17, 19-21. (Romans 7:14 - 8:14).

  • Walking in the Spirit means that God's Spirit is leading /directing you through faith in the gospel promises. We are not operating with the mere fleshly efforts of law keeping - Galatians 5:18 (Romans 6:11-14; 8:1-4; II Peter 1:2-4).

  • Walking in the Spirit means dependence on/desire for the fruit of the Spirit to be dominating/operating in our life - Galatians 5:22-23 (Ephesians 5:1-13).

  • Walking in the Spirit means dying to the natural passions and willfulness of self - Galatians 5:24-26 (Galatians 2:20; II Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:12-13).

Note: Walking in the Spirit can be compared to sowing a field with either good seed or bad seed. What we sow is what we shall reap (Galatians 6:7-10 cp. Hosea 10:12). Walking in the Spirit yields glory to God, victory over the world, and much peace in our life (Galatians 6:14-16).

Walking in the Spirit will cause us to manifest the fruit of the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit will require us to actively pursue being filled with the Spirit on a regular basis. Note the following instructions from the book of Ephesians on how we should walk.

  • Walk worthy of your vocation (i.e., your calling to follow Christ) - Ephesians 4:1-3.

  • Walk not as those who are of the world, who do not know the Lord - Ephesians 4:17-19 cp 2:1-10.

  • Walk as dear children, following God as our Father - Ephesians 5:1.

  • Walk in love, giving of yourself to others, in the service of God, as Christ did - Ephesians 5:2, 21 cp. Galatians 5:13-16.

  • Walk as children of light, proving/demonstrating what is acceptable unto the Lord - Ephesians 5:8-10,14 cp. Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 5:16.

  • Walk circumspectly/carefully, wisely redeeming the time - Ephesians 5:15-17.

Originally delivered June 27, 2021
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