Good Morning Friends,
“So I say, live 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 do not do what you
want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under 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.” (Galatians 5:16-21)
The list of sins above is depressing. What a
horrible list of activities for people to be involved in. And, in fact, the
list is a pretty good description of the world without Christ. It’s not that
people go out of their way to be involved in such things, it is that these are
the natural inclination of all of us human beings.
By nature we are not kind, sweet, and pure. Allowed
to act without restraints, these are the paths we will voluntarily and
naturally choose. “There but for the grace of God, go I.” is an old saying, and
absolutely true. If God had not intervened in our lives, we too would be given
over to what our sinful nature dictates. Only the intervention of God’s grace
through His Holy Spirit makes a difference.
I cry out with Paul, “What a wretched man I
am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24) And must
proclaim the same answer that he did, “Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ
our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)
Rescued from my own sinful nature. No longer bound by its path of degradation.
By the Spirit, I’ve been freed by God to live a new life! Thank God!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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