“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, . .” (Galatians 5:16-17a)
The Apostle Paul speaks about freedom and liberty, words which are often discussed and debated these days in America. And yet the words Paul shared have little to do with the rights of the individual guaranteed by the constitution or the laws governments make. In fact, Paul’s teaching about freedom stands opposed to much of what is claimed by individuals as their god-given rights. Many claim such rights in order to condone, or totally redefine sin so they may live in it without guilt or fear of God. This may result from a total denial of God’s existence, or a deistic view of God which views Him as unconcerned and uncaring about what we humans do, or, as in the case of the Galatians, a misunderstanding of God’s grace.
No one is made holy or given faith as a reward for deeds of righteousness or by keeping rules, no matter how noble, good, or praiseworthy. Paul does not excuse sin. Yet, neither should we live under the condemnation of the Law. Believers are to live in the freedom of the Spirit. Righteous deeds of love spring forth from faith, they do not produce it. Therefore living in the Spirit does not give anyone license to indulge the flesh and engage in immorality. Those whom the Spirit indwells will shun immorality in all its forms. They will not seek it out or even praise it in others or redefine it as godly or good. The Spirit of God will enable believers to flee sin, selfish behaviors and refrain from political infighting, racism, and all types of pride and rivalry. They will not only desire to live in righteousness, at peace with God and all men, but they will manifest the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. True saints are not marked by external or physical markers or by the deeds of the Law, or by following rituals. Rather, saints are marked by a host of righteous attitudes and qualities manifested in concrete actions not mere words or sentiment. These fruits of the Spirit show that the true saint does not live for self but for the glory of God and the well-being of his brethren.