Galatians 5:13-6:18

Read

Read Galatians 5:13 - 6:18

Verses chosen for meditation: Galatians 5:16 - 18, 19 - 21, 22 - 23, 25 - 26, 6:8 - 10, 14 - 15 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 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.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 

Reflect

What are some of the significant differences between flesh and spirit? 

How much of flesh and spirit are we at any one time?

How is doing good connected to the Spirit rather than the flesh? What is its payoff?

What should our main preoccupation or focus be at the end?

Are there any other thoughts or lessons to be derived from this passage?

Relate

The flesh is not the tissues or muscles of our physical body. Rather, it represents the body's urge to do things that go against or displease God. In other words, the flesh is our tendency to sin. In case we think that we're no longer capable of falling into sin after becoming a new creation, we couldn't be more deceived (1 John 1: 8). As such, some pundits have called it the old nature. It is the sinful nature that still resides in us even though we're a new creation (2 Corinthians 5: 17). And this sinful nature is at odds with our new nature (Romans 7: 15 - 20). 

However, the Spirit also lives in every new believer. He's the advocate, the helper (John 14: 16 - 17) who helps us live in accordance with the Word of God. There is no conflict between the Spirit and the things of God. Anything that is of the flesh is, therefore, not of the Spirit and vice versa.

At any given time, we're not 70% Spirit and 30% flesh or 50 - 50 or any other combination of Spirit / flesh, but 100% Spirit - filled. Even then, the tendency to sin is always there. It depends on how we're relying on the Spirit, our helper, to help us overcome the flesh. So, the question is 'How have we been depending on it, living by it, and keeping in step with the Spirit?' For the more we learn to depend on the Spirit and live by it, the less likely we'll give in to the sinful desires of the flesh.

The behaviours and attitudes produced by the Spirit and flesh are not surprisingly polar opposites. The sinful actions and attitudes coming from the flesh can be further categorised into sexual, religious, interpersonal and social sins. By looking at the categories, you'll realise just how pervasive the flesh is. It affects every facet of our life.

But we're not left alone nor without help. In fact, we have a strong and powerful helper living with us in the person of the Holy Spirit. Besides the fire (power) that it provides, there's also the fruit (traits) that it produces, which consists of nine time - honoured qualities. The list begins most appropriately with love and ends with self - control. They're a sure 'fire' way to beat the desires of the flesh still lurking inside us (pun intended). As a fruit, it is also living, growing and regenerating.

Of the nine traits, the one trait that perhaps bothers us the most is patience, or in some other version, long-suffering. It's not the most appealing of the fruit of the Spirit. Besides patience, there could be one or two others. But rest assured they're all good. For together, they’re responsible for the beautiful new creation that we're meant to be.

The goodness should also spill over to others, especially to the believers who are with us. If we keep doing good, employing a combination of the nine traits, we can expect a spiritual windfall at some point if we don't give up. For that is its assured payoff. It keeps circling back again to the importance of being a spirit - filled community where everyone in the community is spirit - filled, not just the individual. Since that is how we are to change the world by letting others know we are His disciples by our love. As promised, the Spirit, too, will help testify for us (John 13: 35; 15: 27). 

So, what counts at the end is that we're a new creation with the old 'sinful' nature fully crucified. Yet gain, the Spirit will help us achieve this desired end.

After all that, may our boast be in the Cross. Not in how spirit - filled we are. For it's all about being a new creation in Christ. 

What a force it will be, first to the community and then the world. This is possible only because of the help of the Holy Spirit.

Rest

Lord, let the Spirit be evident in us. From our thoughts and desires to our attitudes and actions, may they be seasoned with the Spirit, befitting one who is walking by the Spirit. With its empowerment, may our flesh be kept at bay. And with its illumination, may our life radiate like ray, befitting a new creation in Christ.

Naville Chia