Bible Reading: Exodus 30; Proverbs 6; John 9; Galatians 5
Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Notice the two verbs in this sentence: live and walk. There are two aspects to salvation that take place now before Jesus comes to get us and glorify us. These two aspects are justification and sanctification. Justification is what happens when you get saved. You are 'justified' by faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Justification is God regarding sinners as if they had never sinned and granting them righteousness. When you are justified, you are born again and you have life in Jesus Christ. Justification is a onetime event that will never be repeated again.
1 John 5:1a Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.
Sanctification is a life-long process of God making us holy. Sanctification is the work of conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is Christian growth in maturity and holiness. This is important to distinguish between these two very important works that God does within us because if we confuse them, we will make salvation about works.
Are you alive in the Spirit? Do you trust Christ to save you from eternal hell and give you an abundant life here and now? Then, the Bible says, "Walk in the Spirit." Let the Holy Spirit of God have control of you so that you bear the fruit of the Spirit in your life. You can have life in the Spirit and not walk in the Spirit. This is what happens every time a child of God sins. In Galatians 5, we see the difference between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Can a true follower of Jesus sin? Not when they are walking in the Spirit! But when we are quenching the Spirit's work in our lives or grieving the Holy Spirit we have no choice but to sin because WE are running our lives. The flesh takes charge and it manifests in all manner of sin and wickedness. When you gossip – flesh. When you love – Spirit!
Will you walk in the Spirit? He wants you to surrender control of your life to him!
In Christ,
Rody
