Healing Rays of Righteousness

Christians believe there is one God, supreme and sovereign above all the other gods to which people give allegiance.  He is Creator and Sustainer of life for all things in the earth, on the earth, and the heavens above, including us humans.

Christians believe that we are more than simply biological beings.  We are body, soul, and spirit.  And we can enjoy wholeness of life only when all three parts are treated, nourished, and kept in healthy balance.

Christians believe there is one Spirit, and only one, in our world of many spirits that can give wholeness of life to us.  I agree that things outside of ourselves, such as our neighborhood, family, work environment, and our social network or lack thereof, do influence our attitudes and the direction of our lives.

But at the core, we are directed by the spirit within us.  Whether we admit it or not, we ultimately are spirit driven.  More important than what we say we believe is the question, by what spirit are we directed?

In Galatians 5:19-24, the apostle Paul, clearly identifies the two opposing spirits. He begins by saying that “The acts of the flesh 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.”  And he adds a warning “that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul’s use of the word “flesh” references the whole self with its self-serving desires and motives.  This “flesh” is never satisfied and is always seeking more esteem, status, wealth, pleasure, or whatever else it desires.  Self-indulgence easily becomes a new form of slavery.

Paul then lists the “obvious” evidence of God’s Spirit indwelling a person as being their character fruit, seen and experienced in relationship with all others.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  And he adds this reason for the difference of spirit, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

For Paul, God’s Spirit is more about the daily sustaining, inspiring, and guiding power of a person’s life than about supernatural power.  The Spirit is the sphere of power and influence which replaces the “flesh” as the energy force of our lives.

The visible skin of this Spirit-fruit is “LOVE.”  It holds the beautiful cluster of fruit together.  It is the outward, visible evidence that is seen and experienced by others.  And the strong core of this fruit is “SELF-CONTROL.”  Without it, there is no patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.  There is no real peace, no deep joy, no wholeness.

I believe that one of the chief purposes of the Holy Spirit is to make us wholesome persons, by helping us to establish the habit of having all our faculties under control.  “Self-control” is the mastery of self, including the control of tongue, thoughts, temper, tastes, and treasure.  Without “self-control” there will be an obvious break-out of “the acts of the flesh” as listed in verses 19-21.  “Self-control” cannot be experienced until we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit.

When did we receive the Holy Spirit into our lives?  When we accepted Christ’s gift of forgiveness and salvation, we were set free from slavery to indulging the flesh. And with that gift we also received Christ’s gift of his indwelling Holy Spirit.

Paul urges the Galatians and us to remember that we have received the Spirit and that this Spirit needs to be the supreme energizing and regulative force in our lives.  “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (5:25).

And so, how do I know who is a Christian?  By observing their attitudes and behaviors and comparing them with the two lists of Galatians 5:19-23.  Jesus himself said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love another.” (John 13:35).

Most importantly, it is crucial to first look into a mirror while considering these two lists.  What you see may need some spiritual transformation work.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 29, 2020

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley