THE SIMPLICITY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

June 17, 2024

 

There are some things that are so complicated that most of us cannot grasp them. And other steps that are so hard that we cannot possibly fulfill them.

But not the Christian life. It is simple and possible for even the youngest child or the newest believer. Paul boils it down to a simple phrase.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)

IF WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

Some people profess to be Christians, but they are not. They suffer under the deadly delusion that we must earn our salvation by our own good works. The tragedy, of course, is that this is completely impossible. The Bible makes that abundantly clear.

By the works of the Law, no flesh will be justified in His sight … for we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. (Romans 3:20,28)

These pseudo-Christians may work hard, but their sin is still separating them from God. They have yet to be born again by humbly trusting in Christ alone to save them.

Every true believer has come to the end of themselves and been saved by grace through faith. This Divine transformation happens through the work of God’s Spirit, who comes to live in them, making them spiritually alive.

LET US ALSO WALK BY THE SPIRIT

It is this same way that we are to live every day. Paul uses the word “walk” so that we can all understand the simplicity. We are to follow the Holy Spirit. Whatever He says in His Word and prompts in our hearts, we are to obey.

We lack the human strength or wisdom to do this alone. So Paul reminds us to walk “by the Spirit.” Because He lives in us, we can know His direction and be empowered by His sufficient strength to follow, however challenging.

The word “walk” does, though, imply a choice. We can walk by our own strength and after our fleshly desires or the enemy’s incessant temptations. We must see the foolishness of this direction and turn to the Spirit within to lead us.

Here is the daily, hourly question we should constantly ask: Am I walking by the Spirit? By His leading and by His empowering?

If we are, He will lead us in all the right paths, empowering us with His sufficient strength. Nothing could be more clear or more gloriously effective.

 

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