Title: Walk in the Spirit.
Contents
♡♥♡ Walk according to the Holy Spirit. / Galatians 5:13-18
*** Introduction
The term ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ is a word we are all too familiar with. There has never been a time when the Holy Spirit was emphasized more than now. All Christian life must be done in the Holy Spirit, and when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you can understand and obey God's will. Not only this, but you cannot call God “Father” or become a child of God except through the Holy Spirit. Then, what kind of life in the Holy Spirit is so important in the life of a believer?
In the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there is freedom based on peace with God, followed by joy, thanksgiving, and contentment. This is to be followed regardless of circumstances or circumstances. And the results of the guidance of the Holy Spirit are expressed in nine ways in verses 22 and 23 beyond the text. “Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
In particular, the text teaches us to follow the Holy Spirit with good restraint in the freedom given to Christians through Jesus Christ. This is so that the precious freedom given by Jesus' sacrifice should not be used for human indulgence.
1. First, what kind of freedom are we given?
If we explain ‘freedom’ theoretically, it can be said that freedom is the greatest privilege and happiness that God has given to humans. Since ancient times, it has been said that the greatest happiness in life is not power or wealth, but freedom, and that the only basis for all existence is freedom.
What does freedom mean in the world? In the Korean dictionary, it is defined as ‘acting as one pleases without being constrained by others or bound by anything’. On the other hand, in the philosophical dictionary, freedom in politics means democracy, freedom in psychology means freedom of choice, and freedom in metaphysics means experiencing the fact that one exists in a super-temporal and super-causal way. called freedom.
In addition, the categories of freedom are broad, and there are several types of freedom, including freedom of conscience, moral freedom, legal freedom, and political freedom. Milton, who wrote Paradise Lost, said, “Give me, above all other freedoms, freedom to know, freedom to think, freedom to believe, and freedom to speak according to your conscience.” In this way, freedom in the world means the right to live as a human being and live according to one's will.
St. Augustine said, “Love God. Then do as you please.” He expressed Christian freedom. This is an expression of biblical freedom based on an ethic of love. In other words, Christians are called to freedom, not to be under the law. Therefore, since love itself is the fulfillment of the law, no strict demands are placed upon us.
The basis for this is Matthew 22:37-40. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment, and the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. This is the prophet's message.”
We think of love as a concept opposite to the law, and freedom is a good thing while legalism is bad. People generally don't like to do things out of a sense of duty. So, Christians too love God first, and then do what they like according to the movement of their hearts, not according to any sense of duty.
For example, Christians sometimes do not want to go to church, pray, read the Bible, preach, or donate. If it were to be done nonetheless, it would certainly be unfree and would be a legal act. But there is something wrong with this freedom. Augustine's own words are wrong. The idea that freedom means you are free to do whatever you want is absurd. But many people today fall into this misconception. What, then, is Christian freedom?
2. Freedom to walk in the Spirit
Let's read verses 13-15 of the main text.
In verse 13, the apostle Paul says that the practical freedom of Christians is slavery to one another in love. In other words, Christian freedom entails acts of love. And Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Put simply, Christian freedom is redeemed by love. But this redemption leads to joyful obedience, not coercion or oppression. Love is devotion to another. It involves the special choice of doing things that your loved ones will enjoy, rather than doing what you like. And this choice means being willing to sacrifice the freedom I have for myself.
As such, love is not a theory, but a practical, volitional element involving obedience and sacrifice. Let's look at 1 Corinthians 10:33. “Please, like me, in all things please all men, not my own, but the many, that they may be saved.” Romans 15:1-3 says, “We who are strong deserve the weakness of the weak. and will not please himself. Let each one of us please our neighbor, for the good and for the edification. Christ did not please Him, as it is written, “The slander of those who slander You has come upon me.”
This is the Christian's freedom to walk according to the Holy Spirit, because this is the love of God. Jesus didn't do what He himself liked. He always did the will of God the Father. There is only one reason, because of ‘deep love that cannot be said’. This fact can be found in John 17.
So for those who intend going to the expense of their own free will to obey God, Jesus promised special grace. That promise is to abide in the love of Jesus Christ. This is John 15:10. "As I have observed the commandments and abide in his love of the Father, and ye shall obey my commandments, and abide in my love."
To abide in the love of Jesus Christ is that ① prayers will be answered (John 15:7), ② life will be filled with joy (John 15:11), and ③ beautiful relationship with God will continue. It is the Holy Spirit who does this. Christian freedom to walk in the Spirit is impossible without sacrifice.
The guidance of the Holy Spirit is obtained through prayer. Let's follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we can all achieve the life God wants us to live.