Now the works of the flesh are (and I had many more than the ones listed by the Apostle Paul in this Galatian scripture) manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (not only the kingdom in Heaven, but not being able to live in God’s ways (His kingdom) while on earth – what a horrible thought and existence).
Galatians 5:19-21
As long as I’m not willing to part with my flesh, I will remain unrepentant (and therefore unable to escape the flesh, and reap what my flesh sews – Galatians 6:7), and impede Jesus’ work in my life. I’ll remain in the darkness and will not come into the light of His marvelous truth, way and life.
Ran into a door in the dark this morning. Really startled me. Funny thing is it reminded me of all the darkness I used to live/walk in and all the times I’d run into and get tripped up by all the potentially harmful, different things hiding in the dark like bitterness, unforgiveness, pride (including religious pride)unbelief, anger, frustration, mad about my past, shame, hopelessness, confusion, self-pity, selfishness, didn’t know how to love my wife and family the right way in Jesus, jealousy, embarrassment, inconsistent job history, letting health issues get to me, etc.
I’m so thankful that Jesus has overcome the world with His light, and that He’s showing me I can do the same by becoming a doer of His Word, by applying Him (The light of His Word) to my life. I can’t even begin to express my gratitude to Him for His love, mercy, grace, and patience as He’s intervened in my life.
Today, when the darkness tries to trip me up, Jesus reminds me, that because I belong to Him now, I don’t have to give in to bitterness and all of the others. I can immediately take those dark thoughts captive to Him and move on in His ways. What an indescribable blessing and difference Jesus has made in my life.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 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.
Galatians 5:22-26
This way – His way – of life brings such peace, joy, rest and contentment.
God bless,
Mark