Pastors Notes 20 November 2011
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Remember, last Sunday, in Galatians 5:13-26 (above), we were reminded in the presence of Jesus that we are in a constant battle of the flesh and Spirit from the little everyday things to the big decision we make. Who we surrender to will determine where we end up. At the end of the message there was a challenge to the church, concerning who will you surrender to during our week. Will you surrender to the flesh or the Spirit in everything you do?
So, now we are at the end of that week, what is your response? I would encourage each of you to use our celebration service today as an opportunity to respond to our Lord Jesus.
God bless
Pastor Phil
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