Monday, May 23, 2011

It's time to get personal...

I read this last week: Galatians 5:16+. A great passage where the apostle Paul writes about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives including the famous fruit of the Spirit description. He writes in what appears to be a progression in the relationship with the Holy Spirit that is available to us.

First he says for us to "live by the Spirit". By doing this we do not feed the compulsions of our selfishness. This seems to be the first stage or layer of the relationship. This relationship really begins the age old battle of our flesh and the Spirit. This battle is winnable if we acquiesce to the Holy Spirit. He can empower us to win the daily battles we face.

The next part of the progression seems to be when he writes, "be led by the Spirit". It seems the relationship progresses to the Spirit taking a leadership role in our lives. It's at this point that he gives us the descriptive list of what our lives are when we are bearing the fruit of our natural or sinful lives. It's not a pretty picture and results in us not inheriting the kingdom of God. Then he gives us the description of the fruit of the Spirit (not the fruit of our natural lives) as the Spirit leads our lives. This means we make our lives good soil and cooperate with the Spirit as He grows fruit through us.

The last portion of this passage finishes with, "keep in step with the Spirit". Now it appears we have moved from habitation relationship, to leadership relationship, now to keep in step dimension. Wow! To think God will live with us, lead us and give us a new pace is amazing to think about. It's even more amazing to experience.

With the day of Pentecost approaching, I challenge you to join me and let's experience a fresh commitment to a personal Pentecost. And may we have the harvest God gives with such a vibrant relationship. Let's pick up His pace!

2 comments:

pastorc said...

I read this scripture often and see the tag line (v 25) as a challenge "keep in step with the Spirit". He is always moving and I should be too.
The message Bible makes it a challenge to: Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.

Anonymous said...

I pray daily to be in step with the Spirit and the neat thing is that without even trying---I am in step by faith. All I have to do is look around and watch what God does daily through us and in others. I am always in awe of God.
To God the glory!