READ: Gal. 5:24–26: … those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh …
The fruits of the Spirit are not obtained in a legalistic manner. Nor are they unreachable ideals in this world. They follow from prayer for the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then, even in this life, there can be the beginning of fruits of faith that are pleasing to God.
Again Paul emphasizes that these fruits cannot be produced by one’s own strength or through a legalistic attitude. A fundamental transformation is needed: the new self must rise, and the old self must die. This transformation is only possible when you seek your salvation outside of yourself—in Christ.
Paul already wrote earlier (Gal. 3:26): “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (see also John 1:12; 3:5–6). He says that believers have crucified the flesh, meaning that they have been crucified with Christ.
In Rom. 6:6ff, Paul explains this more fully: “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin … Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”
Christ died on the cross to bear the punishment for our sinful nature and to obtain the life-giving Spirit for us. When we believe in Him, that becomes our portion. At the same time, this calls for an active faith attitude: do not let sin reign! In that, the Spirit will assist us, enabling us to walk in the path that He, through His Word, shows us.
In doing so, we demonstrate that we are a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15). This stands in contrast to the world and our old nature, and is only possible in Christ and through His Spirit.
This attitude must also be adopted within the church: not putting our own interests first, not being proud or envious, but seeking unity with one another and not provoking each other (v. 26).
Is walking by the Spirit theory or practice?
Sing: Ps. 143:5,6