Spirit vs Flesh 12.02.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are completing our studies on the book of Galatians, please read Chapters 4-6 in your Bible oe you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%204-6&version=9

Today we are reading about the two Covenants of Law and the Gospel od Grace; the liberty of the Gospel; the sins of the flesh; and the fruit of the Spirit. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we struggle within ourselves between spirit and flesh. It is important that we learn to walk in the fruit of the spirit rather than the lusts of the flesh.

Paul explains the history of the two covenants the Law and the Gospel of Grace. The covenants represent two women in Abraham's life, Hagar and Sarah. "For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar." (Galatians 4:22-24).

Hagar, whom by human reasoning gave birth to Ishmael, is symbolic of the human efforts used of the Law to accomplish the will of God. Sarah, whom by faith gave birth to Issac, is symbolic of God's grace as this miraculous birth took place when they we too old to have children (Sarah was 99). "Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (4:28-31). God imparted miraculous life obtained by faith with spiritual fruitfulness.

The Apostle Paul warns of 17 specific sins made by the flesh, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (sensuality), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (discord), emulations (jealousy), wrath, strife, seditions (rebellion), heresies (unorthodox beliefs), envyings, murders, drunkenness, and revellings (getting drunk). "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (5:19-21).

The Law can direct worshippers to outwardly keep religious symbolism, rules, and regulations, and appear to be very devoted; but it can never produce an inner desire from the heart to keep His Commandments unless we express the fruit of the spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." (5:22-25).

We can give thanks to God that we are no longer enslaved by the works of the flesh, all who accept Jesus have their sins crucified on the cross when Jesus died for us. Now we are filled with the Holy Spirit that allows us to bear His fruit and are free from all bondage of sin. Praise Jesus!

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
As I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of a circle of employees engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace, so that I will know how to respond to each person. I ask that You would reveal to me any false motivation for carrying out good deeds. Remind me that it is for Your glory that I do these things. It is neither for the praise of others nor for personal advancement, but the advancement of the Gospel. Lord, help me to reach just one today with an unexpected act of kindness that will direct the recipient’s thoughts toward You. In Jesus' name.......Amen.
Have a wonderful and blessed day!
God Bless,
Christina

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