Keeping in step with the Spirit

We continue in the letter to the Galatians, now hearing from Paul as he moves toward the close of His letter. He is instructing the Galatians in how they ought to live out their faith, together, based on the truth of the Gospel. Like in chapter three, Paul contrasts living in step with the Spirit of God and trusting in our own power and abilities. What is God saying to you about keeping in step with the Spirit as you read? 

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REFLECTION

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

by Kelsey Bacon

I have a funny memory from my teen years of one Sunday when I was the scripture reader in the service. It was Mill Run Xalt at the time, and today's passage was the scripture that I read aloud. I think back and laugh as I remember how embarrassed I was to read out this list of sins in front of the congregation, glossing as quickly as I could over the more mortifying ones. I left the podium with my cheeks burning.

I always remembered that moment and thought it funny, but now as I read this scripture and reflect, I ask myself why I was so embarrassed. It felt shameful to read out those sinful words, for my lips to be associated with them. I felt the weight of those sins in that moment, and I didn't want anyone looking at me while I digested what they meant. It was like a shameful, private moment that everyone was looking in on. And I suppose that's what we're supposed to feel, isn't it? When the devil whispers the lies of guilt and shame into our hearts. Whether your sins are public and exposed or inward and secret, our human instinct is to hide those sins away, to keep our sins locked up where no one can see, where we can be fed by the shame that comes only in the dark.

And that is why there is more to this passage. It doesn't stop with a list of sins, but a way of life that frees us from those sins. To keep in step with the Spirit is freedom, not a burden of perfection. We don't have to try and get all those fruits on our own. They are the products of life with the Spirit, the gifts that grow naturally within us when we surrender ourselves to Jesus. And fruit cannot grow in the dark, where the shame lives. It needs light and water, both of which Jesus provide.

So when we sin, which we will, and we feel the edges of shame--the flush in our cheeks, the creep of darkness trying to kill our hope--we remember the sacrifice of Jesus, and the gift of his Spirit to us, whose purpose it is to guide us and grow us. We are forgiven; we are free.

 UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

 THURSDAY: TRIUMPH 

Pray for scientists all over the world seeking antidotes to heal the world of this virus. Pray they would be triumphant quickly.

Play in the Hole

Last month my wife and I rented a house by the beach. Our kids and their families joined us. We had an awful lot of fun.



My two grand-daughters are 3 and 5 years old. There were times when the adults wanted to just sit and rest by the ocean, but the kids needed constant supervision. Without someone watching them, they would wander into the water, wander down the beach or play with the crabs.



Playing in the Hole

Telling them not to do these things was fruitless. However, digging a hole in the sand, letting it fill up with water and telling them to play in the hole amused them. They spent several hours playing in a hole, doing what I wanted, not doing what they wanted.

Today’s reading is Galatians 5:16-26. Some Christians in Galatia believed that because Jesus died for their sins, they had free reign to do as they please. Paul is reminding the Galatians that if they are in the Spirit, then they should live in accordance to the Spirit.  A Christian should not live a life of constantly succumbing to desires of the flesh.

The 10 Commandments tell us what we are not to do. (Okay, they tell us to honor our parents and worship God.) But what are we to do?

If we live in the Spirit, then we do what Jesus Christ did. We love God and we love our neighbor as ourselves. We make disciples of people, and we teach them the Word of God.

When we do these things, we live in the Spirit. We don’t have to worry about breaking the Ten Commandments.  

When we do these things, we don’t do what we want to do. Rather, we do what God wants.

God wants us to play in the hole.

Galatians 5:16-26

  ^"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."  (Galatians 5:25 (NIV) 

 How does one keep in step with the Spirit?  We live in a world which is contrary to the Kingdom of God.  Our world is inhabited by the Prince of Darkness who will stop at nothing to influence us to join him.  The puzzled question, "What is this world coming to?" is raised by young and old alike.

I am a fan of American Idol and I enjoy watching the young people sing their hearts out each week.  Every season there seems to be one or two contestants who openly claim their Christianity and this season is no different.  Colton Dixon gave the glory to God following his performance this past week.  That could hurt him in the competition but he says being true to himself is more important than winning.

That is called, is keeping in step with the Spirit.  There are many other celebrities, like NFL Quarterback, Tim Tebow, who also publicly practices keeping in step with the Spirit.  We are called to do the same.  As everyday folks who lack celebrity status we can impact in a more subtle way, those with whom we live, work and play.

^" Jesus said, "You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind hovering over the water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom." John 3:5-6 (MSG)

The Holy Spirit, the 'wind hovering over the water' creation, is here to help us live like this.  The Holy Spirit is that niggling voice that speaks in our hearts words of warning or encouragement.  The Holy Spirit offers us wisdom to do the right thing and is ours for the asking, "Come Holy Spirit."

Read Galatians 5:16-26 here

Listen to Galatians 5:16-26 here