Living by the Spirit

Growth in the Spirit PART I
Rev. Michael Keller
13 July 2014

Galatians 5:13-24
13You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  14For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  15If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.  18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

WHY IS VIRTUE IMPORTANT?
--For good of society
--External coercion for behavioral controls. (means to and end)
--Determined by behavior and will
--Changed heart is intrinsically important.

WHAT DOES VIRTUE LOOK LIKE?
--v.22 (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
--these virtues hinge on one another
--v.23 Laws only address the symptoms (we steal because we're greedy)
--It's about motivation, not action.
--Virtue is gradual and hard won.
--v.17 shows that desires and changed heart are in conflict with one another.
--Why do we do the things we do?

HOW DO I GET VIRTUE
--v.24 Why we do things for Christ
--Rejoice while you repent.
--1John 3:16 - laying down our lives for one another.
--v.18 (led by the Spirit) Spirit comes from God and is leading us back to Him.