THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 1:1-3 “Giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.” (Acts 1:2) As the new Adam, the Son of God, Jesus was a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led human. Everything He did, He did in communion with God, motivated by His Spirit. Luke (the author) explains how Jesus gave instructions “through the…
Baby steps to better living!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:22-26 “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) Every move I make, every breathe I take, I move and take through God’s Spirit. Not only me, EVERY person lives by the Spirit (see Genesis 2:7). The problem is that we stopped keeping in step…
The answer to so many questions!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) These qualities are a helpful summary of all our God and life questions. What is God like… think of the fruit of the Spirit. What is…
Dead End living
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:19-21 “Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21) Paul is not making a checklist, so that if you fail in one you fail in all. He is describing what happens in a person who indulges themselves. Someone that is full of themselves, focused on what…
Decide to walk by the Spirit!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:16-18 “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) I’m the first to admit that resisting sinful temptations is hard. To ‘walk by the Spirit’ is to choose to go where the Spirit leads. Imagine a situation: you’re tempted to curse someone who cuts…
Free to love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:13-15 “Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh.” (Galatians 5:13) No more need to fear God’s anger, or punishment for sin, we are loved, we are free. So does that mean we can live as we please, do what we want? By no means, we have been set free from…
The ONLY thing that counts!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:6-12 “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6) Paul is dealing with the specific issue of circumcision, a part of Jewish religion. But in general he is fighting the spirit of religion, doing certain things to appease God. Paul’s message of good news has been that…
Done with religion!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Galatians 5:1-6 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1) We have a sin problem; we are drawn to pride, greed, lust, selfishness, etc. Religion is the attempt to mollify God, to improve…
Something to be glad about!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 14:5-7 “I am going away and I am coming back to you.” (John 14:28) This whole chapter has been about restored fellowship. Jesus came to bring us back to God, and to ourselves, and to each other. The way to restoration involved His dying… but He came back from death. Death, the…
The Spirit of Jesus speaks
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 14:25-27 “The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things.” (John 14:26) While on earth, Jesus spoke directly to His disciples, teaching them God’s ways. Now that He is gone (in body), He is with us in Spirit. The Spirit of Jesus, of God, is in us and continues to teach us. Jesus…