Galatians 5

Paul, who wrote this chapter, was very serious about how wrong it was for Gentiles to choose circumcision over faith in Jesus’ death on the cross. It was choosing works. It was choosing law, religion, not Jesus. In verse 7 he says, “Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” What a great question to ask ourselves! For me, I’d say it was that in my early years of church, nobody told me about ‘walking in the Spirit.’ I tried to live a christian life by rules—do’s and don’t. So I became what verse 4 says, “estranged from Christ”. When I came back to Jesus, the Holy Spirit showed me Romans chapter 7 and chapter 8. They are just like Galatians 5. I don’t live by trust in good works, no, I live by the Spirit. It’s not about being good but accepting our righteousness by faith in Jesus, just like Galatians 5:5 says, for we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. I’m loved and forgiven just as I am. You are loved and forgiven just as you are. We just come as little children and receive His love! It’s a relationship, not a religion of striving and trying to be good. ! !

I asked the Lord, show me a picture of ‘walking in the Spirit’ that I can share? The picture He gave me was of my husband and I walking side by side, arm in arm. Verse 6 says, for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. It’s a love relationship, walking with Jesus—walking in the Spirit. Verse 16 says, Walk in the Spirit. Verse 18 says, be led by the Spirit. Verse 25 says live in the Spirit. This is how we get through this messy life. This is where the love for each other comes—from knowing we are loved and accepted because of Jesus and sharing that with others.

For example, I was at the dentist office last week and the hygienist said some things that “pushed my buttons” and I was ready to give her a piece of my mind on the topic. But I heard/sensed Holy Spirit saying, “You don’t have to do that. She’s just trying to help you.” So I bit my tongue and kept quiet and I could feel kindness come into my heart for this lady who was just trying to help me. That was the loving thing to do, the self-control I should do. It didn’t come from me, ‘Jackie’. It came from Holy Spirit. Verse 22 says that self-control and love are a fruit of walking in the Spirit! They are part of being “crazy-happy”!

How does that work?! !

How does the Holy Spirit speak with you as He leads you, as you walk with Him in daily life? Does He gives you a Bible verse that goes around in your head all day long that gives you strength and peace? Does He remind you about the things that you promised you would do for your kids? Does He give a worship song that sings in your mind and produces enough joy that you have extra to share with others? How does Holy Spirit speak with you in daily life?

I’ve found it is so important to learn how Holy Spirit speaks to me, so I can walk arm in arm with Jesus all day long, hand in hand in a love relationship. Following Holy Spirit’s lead is part of how we crucify the flesh. It’s how we have the fruit of the Spirit. It produces the extra love that we can share with those around us. At our church we call it “Simply following Jesus.”! !

I’m sensing that God is opening up and pouring out on you His Spirit and His gifts so you can walk in the Spirit and love others. That’s the upward, inward and outward of walking in the Spirit.! !

Can I pray for you and me and our day today?

Heavenly Papa God, thank You for Jesus and Your plan for salvation and right living. Today I bring my brothers and sisters in Christ, and myself to You and we agree together and ask that You would walk arm in arm with us, hand in hand through the Holy Spirit. May we feel Your love and Your acceptance, Your gentleness and Your kind care of us. May we listen to Your prompts. May Your love spill out of our lives to all those around us. Give us an opportunity to share the gospel today. Help us today to walk in the Spirit, to simply follow Jesus. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Pour out Your gifts upon us so we can love others. In Jesus name we pray, amen.