GALATIANS (36): Walking in Step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25 - 6:5)

Having compared the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit (v16-23), and described our proper attitude to the flesh (v24), Paul concludes by describing the attitude we should adopt towards the Holy Spirit, saying: "If we (1) LIVE in (receive our life from) the Spirit, let us also (2) WALK in (line with, keep in step with) the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25). These describe the 2 keys to bearing the fruit of the Spirit: First (1) we need to realise that in Christ we are born again and the Spirit lives within us, so that He is our continual source (fountain) of life and love. Knowing this we can receive His love into our hearts by faith. Then (2) we are to walk in step with Him in love and obedience, as He leads us (see v18). In so doing, we will release His Spirit, and bear much fruit for His glory. We will know His Presence abiding within and upon us, filling our hearts and lives. Walking in step with Him describes a disciplined life of obedience to the leadership of the Spirit, as we seek to honour Him. A great example of walking in step with the Spirit is Israel marching into their Promised Land. We look at God's instructions to Israel in Joshua 1, where He says He had already given them the Land (by covenant), but that He would also give it to them in their experience as they walked step by step with Him into the Land. He promised that His Presence was with them to lead them into the Land to possess it, so that as they followed Him every place they placed their feet would become theirs. As long as they obeyed His leadership, His Presence was with them, and they enjoyed good success in possessing their Land. Again and again, He told them to be (1) strong (in faith, through meditating in the Word) that He was with them and leading them to victory, and (2) courageous (to obey His leading), and then they would see His power at work and His provision. This is a picture for us, for God has given each of us a Promised Land of blessing, and He is leading us step by step into our Land, so that as we follow Him, He will give it to us in our experience. We share some exciting archaeological discoveries from Israel that confirm the Biblical account, especially Gilgal and the Footprints of Yahweh, leading up to Joshua's altar on Mount Ebal (near Shechem), where also a highly significant discovery has recently been made of a curse tablet from the time of Joshua, written in ancient Hebrew, mentioning the name of Jehovah twice, confirming Deuteronomy 11:26-29, 27:11-26, and Joshua 8:30-35. The picture of us walking in step with the Spirit, evokes the image of a disciplined army under its commanding officer. This implies we do not just walk in step with the Lord under His command, but also in step with each other, maintaining our unity in the bond of love. Likewise, Israel possessed her Land through following the Lord all together in unity. Paul then develops this corporate aspect of walking in step with the Spirit in Galatians 5:26 - 6:5, starting with "Let us not become conceited (vainglorious), provoking one another, envying one another" (v26). When our flesh rules us, we become proud and self-centred, comparing and competing with one another, either asserting our superiority or feeling inferior. Either way this poisons our relationships and we become out of step with each other. In an army, when a soldier falls, the others help him up, likewise we should gently restore those who fall, rather than gloat over them (6:1). Likewise, when one soldier has to carry a weight too heavy for him, the others will help him lift it. Likewise, when people are overwhelmed, we should be ready to help and so fulfil the law of Christ - love (v2). We should not think of ourselves as too important to help others (v3). We should not compete with one another, but rather focus on carrying our own responsibilities (load), for in the end, God will judge each of us according to how well we have fulfilled His will for our own life (v4-5).