A Spiritual Life

Introduction:

Galatians 5:22–23 KJV 1900

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

Galatians 5:24–25 KJV 1900

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:24–26 KJV 1900

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

The spiritual life is not something we contrive, but it is something that God gives.

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The Position of a Spiritual Christian

A Statement of Ownership

Verse 24 says, “They that are Christ’s,” meaning “they that belong to Christ.”

We are purchased by Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We are in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV 1900

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 2:13 KJV 1900

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

(A Statement of Ownership)

A Statement of Position

A position of victory

Although former influences like the old man and the world still existed, they no longer dominated the Apostle Paul.

Galatians 5:17 KJV 1900

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.

A position of finality

Paul explains that everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus by faith in Him has crucified the flesh. Paul is saying that the flesh has been executed.

But how could that be in light of what he just said in this chapter about believers having a constant war with the ever-present flesh?

This passage looks back to the cross, the time at which the death of the flesh was actually accomplished.

Illustration:

Like a chicken with its head cut off, the flesh has been dealt a death blow, however it continues to flop around the barnyard of earth until the last nerve is stilled.

(The Position of a Spiritual Christian)

The Prompting of a Spiritual Christian

Galatians 5:25 KJV 1900

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

He Lives in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 KJV 1900

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

Romans 8:10 KJV 1900

And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

We are in the flesh geographically, but not spiritually.

Spiritually, we are “in Christ.” This is our standing or position, and it does not change.

(He Lives in the Spirit)

He is Led of the Spirit

Galatians 5:18 KJV 1900

But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

If we are led by the Holy Spirit, then we don’t need to be under the law because the Spirit will guide us in what is righteous, good, and true.

(He Lives in the Spirit)

(He is Led of the Spirit)

He Walks in the Spirit

A guided walk

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John 16:13–14 KJV 1900

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

A worthy walk

Colossians 1:10 KJV 1900

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Ephesians 4:1–3 KJV 1900

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Quote — Watch out for any ministry or person who claims to be led by the Holy Spirit but acts contrary to the Word of God. And beware of any movement or group whose focus is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit points not to Himself but to Jesus Christ. — George Sweeting

(The Position of a Spiritual Christian)

(The Prompting of a Spiritual Christian)

The Practice of a Spiritual Christian

Galatians 5:26 KJV 1900

Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Quote — When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak. — Lewis Sperry Chafer

Humble

1 Corinthians 3:17 KJV 1900

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

James 4:16 KJV 1900

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Forgive one another.

Ephesians 4:32 KJV 1900

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Rejoice for others.

Romans 12:15 KJV 1900

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Don’t hold offenses.

Ephesians 4:31 KJV 1900

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

(Humble)

Helpful

If we are not to be provoking one another, we should be helping one another.

James 3:14–16 KJV 1900

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

(Humble)

(Helpful)

Hopeful

1 Corinthians 13:7–8 KJV 1900

Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Conclusion:

Christians who walk in the Spirit will fulfill their responsibilities toward God and man.

It is important for us to remember that if we walk in the flesh, we cannot and will not bear the fruit of the Spirit.

When God’s Spirit prompts our heart to move on His behalf or to rid ourselves of sin, we must not ignore Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 KJV 1900

Quench not the Spirit.