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NEW LEGS

Posted by jeffrey on March 18th, 2011
withNewLegs

Galatians 5:16 says: “… walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out
the desire of the flesh.” But how do I walk by the Spirit? How do my
daily actions take on that aroma of Christ, and what does walking by the
Spirit even look like?

First, Paul’s guidance here suggests that the reader is actively
seeking a way to resist the flesh and that the Holy Spirit is living
inside him, so this is not guidance for outsiders or nonbelievers. In
fact, before I opened the door to Jesus, I had no real hope of not
carrying out my flesh’s desires. My corrupt heart wanted to do
them; why would I resist? I needed a new heart before walking
according to anything other than my flesh was going to take place, and
Jesus accomplished that work once He came in (for more on this idea, see
“The Christian’s Heart”).

Receiving a spiritual “heart transplant” was the catalyst for my
transformation; sanctification or being made like Christ (1 Jn. 3:2)
starts there for every believer and continues throughout the portion of
our lives we spend on this earth. Indwelling the new heart, the Holy
Spirit changes His approach. He no longer needs to influence the
believer from without, like a strange external force, because He now
lives within and begins explaining and applying God’s word to us. Who
better, since He is the Author!

So as a man following Christ on the road of sanctification, how do I
deny my lingering flesh what it demands and respond to the Holy Spirit
instead? Paul makes it clear that my flesh has been crucified (Gal
5:24-35), but how do I “walk by the Spirit?” One hint is in the next
verse from 1 John 3: “And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him
purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (v. 3) Paul also provides
direction for this troubling question in Colossians 3:8-13, targeting
specific sinful thoughts and actions. Peter reinforces this in 1 Peter
2:1-3. Both passages instruct believers to “put aside” deceit, slander,
abusive speech and others (see referenced passages for more). These
are not demands for absolute perfection; nor are they unattainable, for
God is not capricious.

The truth is that, though my flesh has been crucified, it is still
dying on the cross. Though its efforts are futile for eternity, they
can still hinder my growth and effectiveness for Christ. The Father
knows this and provides the Holy Spirit, His word, the peace of Christ,
true faith, knowledge of salvation – all defenses and weapons He has
designed for us to don and employ in the battle. (Eph. 6:10-17) But we
must lift them, put them on, learn to wield them well.

For those who claim sanctification is 100 percent God’s doing, or
that all works by believers are sinful still, these passages can be
problematic. While all the strength is certainly God’s, we are called
to “be strong… in the strength of His might.” (Eph. 6:10) and to “rid
yourselves” of fleshly attitudes and actions (Col. 3:8, NIV)
Among many other portions of Scripture which deal with this most
agonizing yet critical topic these clearly describe the essential role
of the believer’s choice and will.

Without Jesus, the only hope any of us have is merely that which we
have desperately imagined. It is utterly hopeless for one who is still
under the law, still unrestored to fellowship, even sonship, with the
Father, to walk by the Spirit. But for he who trusts in God’s work
accomplished through the sacrifice and resurrection of His son Jesus
Christ, sin has been cleansed, his heart is new, and the Holy Spirit has
come to live there. That man has access to the One Who made all things
and promises deliverance, but he still must ask and then be willing to
act.

God’s redemptive intent springs to life and brings the reality of His
vanquishment of death to the forefront of our days. If you know Christ
and He is Lord to you, though your flesh continuously attempts to
regain its former authority, know that it can not; God’s work is not
temporary or passing. You are redeemed! As John 3:31-36 irrevocably
establishes, “He who comes from heaven [Jesus] is above all… the Father
loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes
in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not
see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

The tension you feel, the anxiety, the indecision, the good choices
and the bad – these are all signs of the Holy Spirit’s presence within
you, busily fulfilling God’s promises. See them as evidence of His gift
– you’ve been given new legs! They’re designed to walk by the Spirit.
But, like a new foal or fawn, you stagger around, stumbling
occasionally, stretching and getting used to them. Don’t fear that.
Don’t interpret the difficulty as unforeseen or proof that you’re just
not redeemable – believe His promise. Through the agreement of
His surpassing power and love and our trust in Him, He will bring each
of us home and invite others along the way.

Unless otherwise noted, scripture references are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

References noted (NIV) taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION
Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

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About Jeffrey R. Snell

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