Text: Galatians 5:16-21, 22-26
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolotry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before, those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
And now let us add the next verses:
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
Let's talk about life. Paul say throws up to the reader two lists of words that draw a picture of the character of life that is of the "flesh" and that which is of the "Spirit." Paul is talking about life. The warning that speaks of the possibility that those who do such things as the "flesh" list, will not inherit the kingdom of God must be seen within the vision for life. Remember, when we inherit something, it is ours - now - completely. If Paul says we will not inherit the kingdom of God, he is commenting about the life that is available to us now - completely in Christ. We tend to see this kind of talk as something about the time after our death. Therefore, we have a wonderful way of turning the good news into nothing more than a fire insurance policy that will kick in when we die. What if we prayerfully consider the fact that the kingdom of God is breaking in all over the place? Therefore, the life we live as self-indulgent people keeps us playing around outside of the life that is ours - completely ours - as followers of Jesus and the beloved of God. Just look at the difference in the vision of the list of words that describe way we can be present - in the "flesh" and in the "Sprit."
Connection: In the Prayer of Thanksgiving that is used when we are gathered for the Lord's Supper there are several responses we use. I would suggest that they are not only "liturgical" responses. They are life responses so that we may be nurtured in the character of God's Reign now. We say, "Come, Lord, Jesus" and we say, "Come, Holy Spirit." Come today to walk with us within God's promised Reign (kingdom) for we find it so easy to walk down other paths. Remember to ask for this presence for life today so that we can each dance in the middle of our inheritance.
Promising God and Creator of each day and the very wind that brings us life, how great is the opportunity for life that you place before us. As we move through this day and contemplate the wonder of your life giving power, fill us with your Spirit that our lives may be a witness to your gentle and never ending Reign. Amen.
Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolotry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before, those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
And now let us add the next verses:
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
Let's talk about life. Paul say throws up to the reader two lists of words that draw a picture of the character of life that is of the "flesh" and that which is of the "Spirit." Paul is talking about life. The warning that speaks of the possibility that those who do such things as the "flesh" list, will not inherit the kingdom of God must be seen within the vision for life. Remember, when we inherit something, it is ours - now - completely. If Paul says we will not inherit the kingdom of God, he is commenting about the life that is available to us now - completely in Christ. We tend to see this kind of talk as something about the time after our death. Therefore, we have a wonderful way of turning the good news into nothing more than a fire insurance policy that will kick in when we die. What if we prayerfully consider the fact that the kingdom of God is breaking in all over the place? Therefore, the life we live as self-indulgent people keeps us playing around outside of the life that is ours - completely ours - as followers of Jesus and the beloved of God. Just look at the difference in the vision of the list of words that describe way we can be present - in the "flesh" and in the "Sprit."
Connection: In the Prayer of Thanksgiving that is used when we are gathered for the Lord's Supper there are several responses we use. I would suggest that they are not only "liturgical" responses. They are life responses so that we may be nurtured in the character of God's Reign now. We say, "Come, Lord, Jesus" and we say, "Come, Holy Spirit." Come today to walk with us within God's promised Reign (kingdom) for we find it so easy to walk down other paths. Remember to ask for this presence for life today so that we can each dance in the middle of our inheritance.
Promising God and Creator of each day and the very wind that brings us life, how great is the opportunity for life that you place before us. As we move through this day and contemplate the wonder of your life giving power, fill us with your Spirit that our lives may be a witness to your gentle and never ending Reign. Amen.
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