Galatians 5:25 KJV
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
This verse almost serves as a summary of the entire book. If it is true that we live in the Spirit, that we are born again and have that eternal life that is the promise of God for all true believers; if this is true of us then the next spiritually natural progression is that we would also walk in that same Spirit. The Spirit that gave us life will also be the Spirit that directs and guides our life.
This appears to me to include both the doctrines of justification (living in the Spirit; being born again) and sanctification (God's continued work in us as we dwell upon this earth). The one who has been made alive will find they are compelled by the Spirit that gave them life to walk in the way that leads to life.
Now the question comes, how much of self will and human resource leads to the second of the two? Is it possible that I, having begun life only in the power of the Spirit of God, can continue in that life by my own will? I think not. This verse does not tell us to determine to walk in the Spirit. It tells us that the Christian walk must be in the Spirit and not the flesh.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
This verse almost serves as a summary of the entire book. If it is true that we live in the Spirit, that we are born again and have that eternal life that is the promise of God for all true believers; if this is true of us then the next spiritually natural progression is that we would also walk in that same Spirit. The Spirit that gave us life will also be the Spirit that directs and guides our life.
This appears to me to include both the doctrines of justification (living in the Spirit; being born again) and sanctification (God's continued work in us as we dwell upon this earth). The one who has been made alive will find they are compelled by the Spirit that gave them life to walk in the way that leads to life.
Now the question comes, how much of self will and human resource leads to the second of the two? Is it possible that I, having begun life only in the power of the Spirit of God, can continue in that life by my own will? I think not. This verse does not tell us to determine to walk in the Spirit. It tells us that the Christian walk must be in the Spirit and not the flesh.
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