THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE
WEDNESDAY 24 MAY 2023
Living the life of the Spirit helps a born again Christian to capture and enjoy the manifestations of God's perfect will and His glory in all aspects of earthly life. More below!
Reference: John 6:63 New International Version (NIV) "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life."
When you come to fully understand the importance of speaking the truth of God's Word, you'll definitely realize in the very depths of your being, the trustworthy character of the Word. Yes, the Word is so dependable that it produces the Spirit and eternal life. You'll never find the results of faith-filled spoken Word disappointing.
If the Spirit gives life and the flesh profits nothing, it means that Jesus wants us to be mindful of the Spirit and the unfruitful nature or cost of relying on or walking in the flesh. Therefore, as born again Christians we are to live by the Spirit, bearing in mind that the flesh profits nothing. And if the flesh profits nothing, it means that Jesus is so much interested in your profiting. He doesn't want you to lose, but rather to make lasting profits or benefits.
To that effect, apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians saying, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love" (Galatians 5:13 NIV). In the context of this Scripture, he warned them of using their freedom to participate in the flesh. Why? The freedom given to us in Christ is designed for one great purpose only, and that is to live in the Spirit. As free people, it is the Spirit that profits us and grants us the ability to access all the benefits in Christ, as well as all His characteristics. In another sentence, God's blessings flow unhindered in our lives on the basis of walking in the Spirit, not in the flesh.
Furthermore, Paul exhorts the Galatians in this manner: "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want" (Galatians 5:16-17 NIV). Our freedom in Christ is not a license to indulge the flesh but to yield ourselves fully to the Holy Spirit's governing influence, which in turn, empowers us to produce the fruits of righteousness and wholly partake of God's blessings through our Spirit-led lifestyle.
So here's the summary of Pauline instruction: Walk in the Spirit, and let the Spirit bring order and discipline to your life. If you do, you will never give in to your selfish and sinful cravings. For everything the flesh desires goes against the Spirit, and everything the Spirit desires goes against the flesh (see also Proverbs 4:13 NIV). Into the bargain, when you are constantly led by the Spirit, the words you speak will be full of the Spirit and life. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - John 6:68; Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:24-25; Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 6:8.
Guided Prayer: Gracious Father, you are great and awesome. Thank you for the beauty and delightful radiance the Holy Spirit brings into my life, as I yield to His guidance. They come together as a large and fervent positive influence that empowers me to share your glory in Christ. Hence, I experience the blossoming of the kingdom of heaven in my life, causing me to be consumed by an unchanging desire to please you in the Spirit, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
