LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

Galatians 5:16-26

Key Verse: 5:16

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Normally the words preached are divided into two kinds. The first is the gospel itself to the non believers for their salvation, and the second is the truth that helps the believers to spiritually grow. The latter is the most of the case in reality. This means that the spiritual growth of a believer is very important. Some believers think that they are saved and live as they like heavily influenced by secularism. Some even commit sins thinking that they will repent later. The Galatian believers were in such a condition. So, in order to rebuke and build them up on the pure gospel, Paul wrote this epistle to the Galatians.

Today’s believers are like the Galatians. We live in a time when the soul is chocked by the body, and true freedom is said to be hedonism. Words like ‘purity,’ ‘holiness,’ and ‘truth,’ are considered to be strange and foreign. Even born again believers misuse their faith. Their influence in society is not great. God gave us the mission to make disciples among campus intellectuals. This is not an easy task. In order to win the victory we must have inner Christ-like character, as well as external abilities. Then, we can serve world mission successfully. How can we do so? Today’s passage tells us that the answer is living by the Spirit. May we learn how to live by the Spirit, and bear much fruit and powerfully serve God’s ministries.

Look at verse 16. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Paul tells us that we should live by the Spirit. Then what does it mean to live by the spirit? To “live by” means to live according to the “leading” of the Spirit. It means to honor the Spirit, and to listen to his voice, and furthermore, to accept his lordship and ruling. For this we must first accept the fact that the Spirit lives in us. And we must honour the Spirit. Further, we must accept the Spirit and our Lord and be ruled by him. This is like, in a ocean sailing, giving the handle to the master and obey him. There is no visible route in the sea and when you cross the ocean you must have an experienced and skillful master. When you entrust the steering to him and obey him, you will reach the final destination safely. Likewise, to be ruled by the Spirit means to give the handle to him and obey.

What happens when we do so? “…you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” The desires of the sinful nature refer to the desires of our corrupted human natures. We have many evil desires in our corrupted natures. These sinful desires are too strong for us to overcome with our own strength. One shepherd at Yonhee chapter avoided being alone in order to overcome his sinful desire. He even wrote with his blood. However, he confessed that it was impossible for him to overcome his sinful desires. Paul says to us, “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

Look at verse 17. “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.” Before we met Jesus, we didn’t have any internal conflict. We simply lived according to our sinful desires. The fruit we bore then were shameful deeds leading to death (Ro 6:21).

But after we met Jesus, we received the Holy Spirit who lives in us. However, the Holy Spirit coexists with our persisting sinful nature, and these two continually come into conflict. Yet although they coexist, they are not necessarily coequal. The Holy Spirit is far stronger and more powerful. This is because when Christ Jesus was crucified to the cross, our sinful nature with its passions and desires were also crucified with him (24). Therefore, the strength of our sinful nature is like that of a maimed snake wriggling on the ground. When we stand on the side of the Holy Spirit and live by the Spirit, we can win against our sinful nature.

Look at verse 18. “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.” The Spirit leads us but does not force us to follow him. This means that our voluntary and willing obedience is necessary to follow the Spirit’s leading (Lk 4:1; 2Ti 3:16). When we willingly obey and follow the Spirit, we are no longer under law, but under grace.

Then what are the things that prevent us from following the Spirit? Look at verses 19-21. “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” The sinfulness of the acts of the sinful nature are obvious. However, people still commit these openly everyday.

The fifteen kinds of sinful living can be divided into four categories.

Firstly, sexual sins. (1) “Sexual immorality” refers to all kinds of unlawful sexual relations. Sex must exist only within a married relationship. The Bible condemns any other kind of sexual relation, such as premarital and extramarital relations as sexual immorality. Today, morality has eroded and sexual immorality has become rampant. Our societies have become like Sodom and Gomorra. Many young people today are living in sexual immorality. We live in societies that mock and ridicule those who pursue lives of purity as people of God. (2) “Impurity” refers to all kinds of impure physical activity, in particular sexual impurity. (3) “Debauchery” is the condition of not feeling shame despite excessive sinful indulgence.

Secondly, religious sin. (4) “Idolatry” refers to adoring and serving something or someone else more than God. Loving money, authority, fame, somebody else more than God is also idolatry. (5) “Witchcraft” refers to using the power of evil spirits to deceive and trick others.

Thirdly, sins against our neighbors. (6) “Hatred” (7) “Discord” (8) “Jealousy” (9) “Fits of rage” (10) “Selfish ambition” (11) “Dissensions” (12) “Factions” (13) “Envy”

Fourth, sins of no self control. (14) “Drunkenness” (15) “Orgies”

When we think about above 15 kinds of sin, we may think “Oh, I have nothing to do with them”. Yet in verse 21, Paul finishes with “and the like,” meaning that there are other sins than the fifteen he mentioned. This means that there are other sins less obvious but similar to these sins.

There are others, such as, gambling, greed for money or food, enjoying lustful thoughts, vanity, comparing oneself, thinking highly himself than others, self-condemnation, laziness, indifference, heartlessness, mocking others, slander, and so on. These things prevent us from being led by the Holy Spirit. They prevent us from living normal lives of faith. With such sins we can not bear any inner or outer fruit and we become powerless. When directors deliver the message, these sins make their message ineffectively and powerless.

When we believed and were born again(Jn 3:5) we received the Holy Spirit. At that time, we became connected to God through the Spirit that is like a pipe. Through this Spirit-pipe, we began living lives led by the Spirit. But as time passed by, our lives became habitual and hypocritical. We became too busy teaching to students to teach ourselves. We neglected personally studying the Bible and living repentant lives (Ro 2:21). So our Spirit-pipes became clogged up and blocked. Some people’s pipes become completely blocked because of their sinful desires. Some people’s pipes become unblocked just during a summer conference, and close up again. Some people are unblocked just during the Sunday service. Some others are unblocked just when they write and share their testimony. For some, the pipe is only unblocked a tiny amount. They cannot grow spiritually. They become cultural Christians and grow more and more secular. Although they appear to be Christian, they have no power. Therefore, we must be alert about our Spirit-pipes.

What warning does Paul give to those people who live according to their sinful desires? Look at verse 21b. “I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Those who persist in sinful ways despite the guilt of their conscience cannot inherit the kingdom of God. They will instead inherit the kingdom of sin, sorrow and suffering of the devil. So what must we do? Above all else, we must repent daily. When we read passages like the Ten Commandments, Romans chapter 1, Galatians chapter 5, it is impossible not to repent.

When we live faithfully by the Spirit, what fruit will we come to bear? Look at verses 22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Among the nine, the very first is love. In the past, it was impossible to produce such love. However, the Holy Spirit who lives in us produces in us this great love. Apostle Paul said the greatest of all gifts of the Spirit is love (1Co 12:31). Let us follow the leading of the Spirit and grow in the knowledge of the true love of Jesus. Let us always be inspired by his love and maintain a deep loving relationship with him. When we do so, we can live truly joyful and fruitful lives.

Secondly, joy. The Greek word for this word is “(Cara)” and this joy is the holy joy experienced by those who are saved. This joy is true joy and perfect joy. Those who are led by the Spirit are always filled with the joy of salvation. If we believe and have been saved but do not have this joy, let us repent and have a loving relationship with Jesus. Are you full of this kind of holy joy? May God help us to be filled with this holy joy.

Thirdly, peace. This peace refers to the one we have by being reconciled with God through the cross of Jesus Christ (Ro 5:1). This is not only the peace we have in our mind and conscience (Php 4:6,7), it is also the gift of God that restores conflicts and hostility (Ro 15:13). The world today is filled with terrorism, murder, and war of retaliation. There are also Muslims who are hostile against Christianity. Because of this peace is broken and there are many conflicts. There is no way to solve conflicts and hostility through human means. When people accept the love of the cross of Jesus, and serve God as one Father, and reconcile with one another as brothers, we can have true peace.

Fourthly, patience. This is to be able to forgive and forbear despite hardship and difficulty. Even though man received God’s love and blessing and went his own way, God was patient with him and waited for his return. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul emphasizes patience as the most important quality of love.

If we are to bear fruit as Bible shepherds, we must be patient and endure like a mother in labour. We must also be patient like parents who nurture and care for their children. When we are patient, our students can grow, and with teaching and training they can grow into great leaders. If a student that we invited and babysat whines and rebels, and we are quick to lose our temper and rebuke, that student will leave. The Bible shepherd who has many fruits of the Spirit is the one who can endure and be patient to the end. We need to be like God, and be patient with our difficult Bible students and be able to wait for them.

Fifth, kindness. This refers to moral goodness and generosity. This word was originally used to describe the merciful character of God (Lk 6:35).

Sixth, goodness. This is to willingly desire to serve others. This word is also used to describe God’s mercy (Ro 2:4).

Seventh, faithfulness. In Greek this word is “Pistis” and is also used to mean belief in God. However, in this context, it means being trustworthy and reliable. This is the most important character as a servant of God.

Eight, gentleness. This refers to ethical generosity. It refers to self-controlled rebuking and gently instructing (2Ti 2:25). The Bible says Moses was a humble man, more than anyone on the face of the earth.

Ninth, self-control. This is the ability to overcome one’s sinful desires. In Paul’s time, it was considered the most important virtue by the Greeks.

“…Against such things there is no law” (23b). Those who are led by the Spirit live according to a higher standard, and are thus able to fulfill the law (14). The aforementioned nine fruits of the Spirit are ultimately the characters of Jesus Christ himself. We cannot bear these fruits with our own strength. But when we live by the Spirit, the Spirit bears in us these fruits. The Spirit also helps us to bear much fruit outwardly.

The Spirit also works in other ways. Firstly, the Spirit saves (Jn 3:3,5). Through the Spirit, we are born again. This is an important work of the Spirit and refers to the salvation work of God. Secondly, the Spirit gives power to servants of God (Ac 1:8). For example, he enables us to speak in foreign tongues (Ac 2:4). The Spirit also gives the power to preach powerfully (Ac 2:41), to discern and understand God’s word (Jn 14:26; 16:13), to heal (Ac 3:6,7), to speak with wisdom (Ac 6:9,10). The Spirit also gives gifts to apostle, prophets, teachers respectively. He also gives the gift of help, to govern.

Look at verses 25 and 26. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” In Jesus, we no longer live according to the flesh, but according to the Holy Spirit. Even though we are Christians, there are still many temptations to live according to our sinful nature. Therefore, we must always be alert and be on guard. We must reject the temptations and follow the leading of the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit. In order to do so, we must heed the word of God and devote ourselves to prayer.

What final caution does Paul give? “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (26). Human glory is short-lived and meaningless. When we pursue such meaningless glory, we become divided against our coworkers and we anger and quarrel with each other. Human glory is the source of much conflict, sorrow, and unhappiness. Let us not seek such meaningless worldly glory and anger each other and quarrel. Let us pray to seek the true reward and glory that is from God, and love, encourage, and serve one other.

Last year, by God’s grace, I was able to concentrate on Bible study and prayer. I feel pain in my heart due to my many short comings and sins, yet God abundantly blessed my small struggle. In order to serve Chongro/SNU3 chapters together with UK ministry, it is essential for me to be spiritually awake. I struggled to write Sunday message one month before the date so that the word might control the mind and thought of myself and our spiritual community. Based on a clear understanding of the passage, I was led the senior group Bible studies and emailed them my manuscript to assist their Bible studies with fellowship leaders. Each morning, I wrote daily bread and shared with staff and some other shepherds through email. Through Skype on Friday, I studied with Abraham Ian, Paul in London. When I struggled to serve myself and the community with the word, God faithfully has led us. God helped me to learn and grow in Jesus’ love and patience. He gave me joy and happiness in my heart. In spite of growing tough spiritual environment in Korea, God raised 30 new disciples in Chongro/SNU3, sent 10 missionaries out, and established 12 house churches. I pray that in the new year that I may live by the Spirit more actively. For this, I pray that I may study the word of God with spiritual fervor and pray. May the Holy Spirit work powerfully through His word in the coming year.

In conclusion, we have learned how to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. The secret of receiving the Spirit’s power is to unblock our Spirit-pipes of our sinful desires and sinful nature through repentant lives. May we repent of our sinful nature daily and lead powerful lives led by the Spirit. May we also pray earnestly that we may receive the Holy Spirit. In this year 2010, may we be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit and powerful servants of God. Amen.