Your call to holiness

17/09/2020

Day 4
Colossians 1 v 9-13; Galatians 5 v16-26; Psalms 101 v 1-8

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Gal 5 v 16) [NIV]

It is clear that the law condemns us. It points out our shortcomings and sins, but it cannot bring salvation and if we are “led by the Spirit, we are no longer under the law.” [paraphrase]

The deeds of the flesh are in direct contrast with the fruit of the Spirit and it is written that we will be known by our fruits. The only way to bear fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is to put the flesh to death.

The question that arises is this. How do we “walk in the Spirit“, once we have “crucified the flesh“?

David answers this in his profession of uprightness in Psalm 101;
[2] He will lead a blameless life and handle his affairs with a blameless heart
[3] He will have no part, nor approve of anything “vile” (morally bad and worthless)
[4] He will not allow his heart to become perverse
[5] He will not tolerate those who slander others with an arrogant heart
[6] He will join and walk with the faithful
[7] He will not allow those who deceive in his house for it is a sanctuary of God

As (true) followers of Christ, we are called to be holy, set apart for His kingdom, which is not of this world. We shouldn’t be found in the counsel of the wicked, nor the path of the sinners, nor sit with the scoffers who mock God. (Psalm 1)

This does not make us any better than the next person, for we are called to love our neighbour as ourselves. The difference lies in the fact that we have departed from the world and no longer conform to its standards.

Before we were enslaved to sin, now we are servants of the Almighty God. Living our lives in accordance with His will, pleasing Him in everything we do and above all, bearing fruits of righteousness as a living testimony of His saving grace.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by “The Lockman Foundation“