The Works of the Flesh
Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, war is just a click away. Whether it's the click of a computer mouse or a TV remote, we can see war in all its horror. However, we don't have to go to the far reaches of the earth to see war. For Christians, all one has to do is look in the mirror and there he or she will find a battleground.
Paul says in Galatians 5:17 (HCSB) "For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want." This war fought in the life of the believer is ongoing and sometimes quite brutal. The remants of the flesh put to death by the coming of Christ in the life of a believer tenaciously hangs on seeking to regain control of the believer. Yet, the Spirit living within the believer brings the power of God to overcome the schemes of the devil.
The flesh is not subtle in its work. In fact, Paul says in Galatians 5:19 that the works of the flesh are obvious. The list that Paul gives is not exhaustive. It would be nice to say that here are the 15 sins the flesh brings and no more. However, elsewhere Paul says that those who deny God are inventors of evil (Romans 1:30). Humans continue to invent ways to satisfy the desires of the flesh.
Christians sometimes find themselves succumbing to the temptation of the flesh. As conviction comes, we must readily admit our sin and confess that to our Lord as we turn from that sin and embrace the Lord as our Master and Savior.
As we read the list in Galatians 5:19-21, we must all admit we see ourselves in that list. We stand guilty. What is the Good News? Romans 8:1 (HCSB) "Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus!" The Gospel proclaims that our Lord Jesus Christ willingly took the wrath of God upon Himself on the cross so that the ones believing would have eternal life as they repent of their sins and by faith receive Him as Lord and Savior! May the most obvious things in our lives not be the works of the flesh but the fruit of the Spirit! With Paul let us say with rejoicing:
1 Corinthians 15:57 (HCSB) 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Paul says in Galatians 5:17 (HCSB) "For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want." This war fought in the life of the believer is ongoing and sometimes quite brutal. The remants of the flesh put to death by the coming of Christ in the life of a believer tenaciously hangs on seeking to regain control of the believer. Yet, the Spirit living within the believer brings the power of God to overcome the schemes of the devil.
The flesh is not subtle in its work. In fact, Paul says in Galatians 5:19 that the works of the flesh are obvious. The list that Paul gives is not exhaustive. It would be nice to say that here are the 15 sins the flesh brings and no more. However, elsewhere Paul says that those who deny God are inventors of evil (Romans 1:30). Humans continue to invent ways to satisfy the desires of the flesh.
Christians sometimes find themselves succumbing to the temptation of the flesh. As conviction comes, we must readily admit our sin and confess that to our Lord as we turn from that sin and embrace the Lord as our Master and Savior.
As we read the list in Galatians 5:19-21, we must all admit we see ourselves in that list. We stand guilty. What is the Good News? Romans 8:1 (HCSB) "Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus!" The Gospel proclaims that our Lord Jesus Christ willingly took the wrath of God upon Himself on the cross so that the ones believing would have eternal life as they repent of their sins and by faith receive Him as Lord and Savior! May the most obvious things in our lives not be the works of the flesh but the fruit of the Spirit! With Paul let us say with rejoicing:
1 Corinthians 15:57 (HCSB) 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
posted by Mike at 4:18 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home