~ Walk in the Spirit as… ~
Introduction ~ Looking back at the history of “Abundant Life Now” posts, we discovered that there have been 60 posts entitled “7 [topic]” through June 2021. Surprisingly, that equals two months’ worth of daily posts since the beginning of ALN on October 21, 2009. During each day of this seventh month of 2021, each ALN post is a “7 [topic].”
As Warriors (fight in the Spirit) ~ “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).
As Redeemed Ones (continuing in the Spirit) ~ “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain?” (Galatians 3:1-4).
As Confronters (praying in the Spirit) ~ “But me — I’m filled with God’s power, filled with God’s Spirit of justice and strength, ready to confront Jacob’s crime and Israel’s sin” (Micah 3:8, The Message).
As Worshippers ~ (worship God in the Spirit) ~ Jesus said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
As Brethren (love in the Spirit) ~ “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality” (Romans 12:10-13).
As United Ones (access in the Spirit) ~ “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).
As Obedient Ones (live in the Spirit) ~ “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25).
additional comment ~ Notice that all important last phrase: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Our ultimate goal as Christians on earth is to bring glory to God. The only way we can do that is if we consistently “walk in the Spirit”—daily living out our lives under the direction and control of the Spirit of God. The benefits of such living is seen in the first phrase of this post: “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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