This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
- Galatians 5:16
Looking at yesterday's scripture about conversion to the Lord's systems, we see an addition to it here.
All systems have a 'spirit' to them — a sort of underlying code or feeling — or, as the lawyer said in the movie, The Castle, when referring to Australia's Constitution, "It's the vibe of it."
As humorous as that line was in the movie, there is a spirit supporting the written word of the constitution. It is what the drafters hoped readers would understand as they read about the power and safety within it, and therefore choose to keep and stand by those national principles.
When we are fully converted to something, we not only obey the rules and codes of conduct but we walk in the spirit of it — what was intended by those who drafted it.
For instance, on Australia's roads, we choose not to speed. Not for fear of getting caught, but to obey the spirit of the regulations — to do our bit to help the drafters keep the multitude of us safe from harm. This makes us obey because we want to.
Jesus said in John 14:15-17, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"
When we marry, we don't cheat on our spouse, not for fear of getting caught, but for the reason of love. We choose not to cheat for the sake of love, within which is the spirit of the sanctity of marriage. That love keeps us abiding in the spirit of the marriage and not only in the laws of it.
In the Christian walk, the Lord provided the Holy Spirit, not only to be the great comforter He is but to help us keep the spirit of the written commandments — what the Lord intended and hoped we would see when He drafted them. That Holy Spirit also helps us carry out those additional words in the New Testament which call for obedience, written for our admonishment and doctrine.
We can get tied up in arguments as to whether we are free spirits in Christ or bound by laws, rules and commandments. When we read them and understand the spirit behind those writings, we then appreciate the necessity of keeping them for our growth and advancement in the kingdom and for the love of our Saviour. We understand the vibe, and our eyes are opened.
We want to keep them. When we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil (follow helplessly and act out) the lust of the flesh, as it will be far from our minds.
Today’s prayer: Dear Lord, thanks you for your Holy Spirit, and thank you for all the work He does for me and all he puts up with as I grow. Please help me more and more to get the vibe of your Word, understanding the need to keep your precious commandments and those elements of your word which require my obedience.
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