Identification rather than Imitation

Scripture: Galatians 5:13–26, especially verse 25: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Introduction:

When walking in Faith, we have an advantage over Abraham. We have the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:25 KJV 1900

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

What is the secret to a LIFE OF FAITH?

Some think we are to imitate the life of Christ. But keeping in step in the Christian life is not done through imitation but by identification.

We don’t live the Christian life by trying to imitate the lifestyle of Christ; rather, He lives His resurrected life through us because we have received Him by faith! How can a believer learn to keep in step with the Savior? The answer is found in our passage today in which Paul deals with this subject; he emphasizes three things.

Understand the Conflict (Gal. 5:16–21).

Galatians 5:16–21 KJV 1900

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

There is a war going on inside the believer.

The Greek word for “contrary” means “to be opposite” or “to be in continual opposition.”

The old you and the new you don’t get along at all. The flesh and the Spirit are mortal enemies. Civil War? Yes!

Soon after we become Christians and begin to discover the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we make a starling discovery. We find that we have all kinds of opposition. A number of enemies will try to keep us from walking in the Spirit.

These enemies will hinder our attempt to live the victorious Christian life!

The External Enemy: The World

(1 John 2:15).

1 John 2:15 KJV 1900

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

John tells us not to love the world.

The Greek word for “world” can mean several things: the earth (Acts 17:24), the human race (John 3:16), and the evil system opposed to God (1 John 2:15).

Living the Christian life involves carefully interacting with the world but not being submerged in it.

The Internal Enemy: The Flesh

(Gal. 5:16–21).

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The human body is not sinful; it’s neutral.

If the Holy Spirit controls the body, then we walk in the Spirit; but if the flesh controls the body, we walk in the lusts or desires of the flesh.

The flesh stands for that part of man’s nature wherein his natural desires have free rein. Sometimes the Bible refers to this flesh nature as the old man or the old nature. Something wonderful happens when we receive Christ as our Savior; at that moment we receive a new spiritual nature. The Bible refers to this new nature as the new man. Paul explains the contrariness of these (5:17).

Galatians 5:17 KJV 1900

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The Infernal Enemy: The Devil.

Peter warns believers that Satan prowls around as a lion seeking to devour someone (1 Pet. 5:8).

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Satan should not be regarded lightly, for on our own, we are no match for him. Remember that the devil will seek to hinder you in every way possible.

Understand The Contrast (Gal. 5:19–23).

Galatians 5:16 KJV 1900

16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

God wants us to walk in the Spirit (v. 16), but when we attempt this, a contrast occurs between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul talks about the negative first, listing sensual sins, superstitious sins, and social sins as works of the flesh. He then explains the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The contrast between “works” and “fruit” is important. A machine in a factory works and turns out a product, but it can never manufacture fruit. Fruit must grow out of life, and in the case of the believer it is the life of the Spirit.

Understanding the Conquest (Gal. 5:24–26).

Paul brings us to the point of victory here in this matter of walking in the Spirit!

Galatians 5:24–26 KJV 1900

24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Is the victorious Christian life possible? Yes! But there are certain factors we need to take on board.

We must

Consider the Historical Aspect

, that is, that we died to sin and are now alive in Christ because of His sacrifice and resurrection.

Consider the Mental Aspect

The Conquest must penetrate our minds so that we know we are truly dead to sin (Rom. 6:11).

Romans 6:11 KJV 1900

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Consider The Practical Aspect

The Conquest must penetrate our lives; we must walk in the Spirit, meaning we must keep in step with the Spirit.

This involves the Word, prayer, worship, praise, service, and fellowship with God’s people.

Conclusion:

The secret to avoiding temptation and living a fruitful life in the will of God is simple: keep in step with His Spirit.

Count yourself dead to sin and alive in Christ; don’t simply imitate Jesus—but Identify with Jesus, die to yourself and allow Him to live through you!