Galatians 5:16–18 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not
gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of
the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the
flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things
you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under
the law.
NOTE: The message
for the believer in Jesus Christ is that we are free of ANY AND ALL rules. God
loves us completely because of our faith in his son. He has adopted us as his
children, which we were NOT children of God before faith, and we cannot do anything
that will reduce his love in any way. We are completely and totally loved. We
do not need to perform. Certainly, we can please or displease him, much in the
same way as a child pleases or displeases their parents, but love cannot be
taken away. So, why then do we have rules. The rules are really for our best.
The problem is that we don't see it that way. The reason is that our flesh
wants to convince us that happiness is attained in the activities of the flesh
that God has commanded us to avoid. And so the believer is faced with a
struggle, a struggle between the sinful desires of the flesh and the Holy
Spirit in us trying to get us to do what is good for our being, and for our
witness. We are free to love God without the restraints of performance, but we
will struggle with our flesh for control. We need to do what Jesus said to do
each day: make Jesus the Lord of our life. Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) — 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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