Footsteps #69

Although in the life of all believers a conflict exists between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit, (Gal 5:17) the Christian life does not have to be doomed to failure. Because Christ has conquered the power of sin and death, the Christian life can be a life in which the Spirit reigns, bringing us a daily supply of God’s grace to enable us to keep the desires of the flesh at bay (Gal 5:18). The life of the Christian is by no means all smooth. We will always be assailed by conflicts and temptations. When sin entered the world, it corrupted every aspect of human existence. The means by which God redeems our corrupted human spirit is the Holy Spirit. Genuine Christianity recognizes that rules are powerless to transform the rebellious heart. Only an intelligent appreciation of God’s love and its supreme expression at Calvary can effectively re-direct self-centeredness into God-centeredness. God’s antidote for sin and rebellion was the infusion of the Holy Spirit into those who sincerely desire spiritual transformation. What is the best way to get air out of a bottle? Fill it with water! What’s the best way to get darkness out of a room? – turn on the light! What’s the best way to get sin out of the life? – fill it with Jesus! Don’t concentrate your efforts on changing behaviour, concentrate on Jesus and your life will be filled increasingly with God’s Spirit. 

Gal.6 is refreshingly realistic. Read vs1-5.  

We all have burdens of differing proportions. It may be moral (v1), physical, mental health, family, unemployment, or a host of other things. God does not intend for us to bear these burdens alone. Paul even condemns self-sufficiency in v3 (not allowing others to bear our burdens.) He calls this human pride. Such pride not only robs us of the comfort of others but also prevents others from fulfilling the ministry that God has called them to perform.  

God calls us to bear the burdens of others because it is through our actions that God’s comfort is made manifest. This is His purpose for His people in the Body of Christ. Continued tomorrow…