We continue our thoughts on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
‘So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and 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.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit’ (Galatians 5 : 16 -25, New International Version)
The above passage contains a sin list and a list of virtues. “They are not intended to be comprehensive as one can never exhaust the evils of humankind or the characteristics of a Spirit-filled life”. (Annabel Robinson)
Daily, with the strength of Jesus Christ, Christians have to crucify (put to death) our sinful nature with its passions and desires. Also, we must allow the Holy Spirit to bear his fruit in our lives, so that in a tiny measure we may portray the character of Jesus Christ.
It is indeed a matter of DEATH to our sinful nature and LIFE as we live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.
