Galatians 5:16 AMPC
[16] But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
Here was a church that Paul had to rebuke with some pretty harsh words. They had received the Holy Spirit at some point, and were living out the principles and practices of the Spirit. At some point, the tendency to rely on self came up, and the efforts of the law became more important than the help of the Holy Spirit. Like it was in those days, so is it now. We attain a level of popularity or public acceptance, and we think we had something to do with our new-found reputation. We start so well with total dependence on God, but as we get 'skilled' in what we do, we rely more on our perspiration rather than on the inspiration that comes from the Spirit of God. It is not a wonder that in an earlier chapter of this same letter to the church in Galatia, Paul had to rebuke the members who had begun their new spiritual lives with the Holy Spirit, but were now seeking to reach perfection by a dependence on the flesh.
I cannot start the journey with God and then seek to end it on my own terms. It does not work. The journey of life is too complex for mortal, natural man to navigate it without help from the One who knows the end from the beginning. It is also not a weekly, monthly or annual affair, where you show up once in a while when there are problems, take what you need to solve that problem, and then move on to your own thing, until the next problem shows up. I note the word HABIT appears on the verse above, and it is defined as 'a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up'. My walking with God has to become a habit; one that is a regular practice, and becomes hard to give up. No matter the pressure, you keep at it, because you know the value of the practice. Habits also impact eternity, because it is what you do that you are judged on. What are the habits I need to either drop or take on?
This walk in the Spirit is critical to accessing all that God is. You cannot lay claim to benefits or blessings that are not yours by birth or citizenship. This walk in the Spirit cannot also co-exist with a walk in the flesh at the same time. Both walks are parallel lines that can never meet, no matter how far you draw them, or how hard you try to merge them. Both have different inspirations as well as different eternal destinations. You cannot effectively satisfy both, because both are masters who require loyal subjects. We may claim that we are free by virtue of surrender to Christ, but indeed, we are bound by loyalty and dedication to whoever we have submitted our lives to. Remember, the end of the control by the flesh is eternal separation from God, and a life controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. As always, the choice is mine to sort out. God does not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but if I submit, He will do exploits with my life, and also guarantee me eternal life. What more could I ask for? God's time of favour is here.
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