Posted on Mar 19, 2017
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The verses of the day from BibleGateway is straightforward:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
It never ceases to amaze me that as soldiers, sailors, Marines, airman, etc, we are called on to follow and obey. Some people often times try to overcomplicate this system by pretending that a host of variables exist that will allow a subordinate to question every command or order given.
Unfortunately, the stark reality is that, by the military's very nature, following commands and orders instantly and systematically is effective for efficient military operations.
As the soldier on the battlefield, being told to hold down a position in a hostile area that YOU feel is ridiculous is many times, whether you know it or not, of strategic importance.
A few days ago I made the analogy of an oil painting. If you were to simply close your eyes and then have someone put the painting right up to your nose, you would simply see splotches of paint in no particular pattern. Until you start stepping back, you will never see the bigger picture, and when you do, you finally understand how all of those splotches come together to make the painting complete.
You see, Christ has given us some specific instructions. In the book of Galatians, Paul was giving the church at Galatia a pattern and a good "quick guide" in how to act as a disciple of Christ.
In the prior verses we are told:
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 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 5:19-21 (NIV)
This is "The bad". There are laws against these. These lead to death and destruction, and are rigid and thorough. This is because of our sinful nature. The things of this world HAVE TO BE RULED AND GOVERNED BY US, as individuals.
Now, in our daily verses and beyond we learn:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
~Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)
You see, there are no "restrictions" when it comes to love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Jesus tells us in John:
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
~John 8:34-36 (NIV)
You see, we live in a world where people feel they should be free to do anything they want. The law of man is beginning to invade God's law, and we are instructed that just because things become acceptable (lawful), that we can freely partake.
The problem is that in 1st Corinthians 10:23 we are told:
22 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial.
~1st Corinthians 10:23 (NLT)
Understand, that people think that they are free to engage in these sins because "mans' law" says they are lawful. As a Christian, we have to see that "bigger picture" I spoke about earlier.
The reason we are free through Christ and there are no laws against the fruits of a righteous life is that we are free from death in a righteous life. It doesn't mean we will never die, it means that in Christ our fear of death is not because of its' finality, therefore that sting of death has been forever lifted off from over us.
My parting thought is this:
You can do anything you like, anything at all: but is it beneficial?
That question is between you and God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
~Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
It never ceases to amaze me that as soldiers, sailors, Marines, airman, etc, we are called on to follow and obey. Some people often times try to overcomplicate this system by pretending that a host of variables exist that will allow a subordinate to question every command or order given.
Unfortunately, the stark reality is that, by the military's very nature, following commands and orders instantly and systematically is effective for efficient military operations.
As the soldier on the battlefield, being told to hold down a position in a hostile area that YOU feel is ridiculous is many times, whether you know it or not, of strategic importance.
A few days ago I made the analogy of an oil painting. If you were to simply close your eyes and then have someone put the painting right up to your nose, you would simply see splotches of paint in no particular pattern. Until you start stepping back, you will never see the bigger picture, and when you do, you finally understand how all of those splotches come together to make the painting complete.
You see, Christ has given us some specific instructions. In the book of Galatians, Paul was giving the church at Galatia a pattern and a good "quick guide" in how to act as a disciple of Christ.
In the prior verses we are told:
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 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 5:19-21 (NIV)
This is "The bad". There are laws against these. These lead to death and destruction, and are rigid and thorough. This is because of our sinful nature. The things of this world HAVE TO BE RULED AND GOVERNED BY US, as individuals.
Now, in our daily verses and beyond we learn:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
~Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)
You see, there are no "restrictions" when it comes to love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Jesus tells us in John:
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
~John 8:34-36 (NIV)
You see, we live in a world where people feel they should be free to do anything they want. The law of man is beginning to invade God's law, and we are instructed that just because things become acceptable (lawful), that we can freely partake.
The problem is that in 1st Corinthians 10:23 we are told:
22 You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial.
~1st Corinthians 10:23 (NLT)
Understand, that people think that they are free to engage in these sins because "mans' law" says they are lawful. As a Christian, we have to see that "bigger picture" I spoke about earlier.
The reason we are free through Christ and there are no laws against the fruits of a righteous life is that we are free from death in a righteous life. It doesn't mean we will never die, it means that in Christ our fear of death is not because of its' finality, therefore that sting of death has been forever lifted off from over us.
My parting thought is this:
You can do anything you like, anything at all: but is it beneficial?
That question is between you and God.
BibleGateway.com: A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages.
Posted from biblegateway.com
Religion
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SGT
Hope
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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SGT Michael Thorin I wasn't able to make it church so you step up to the plate and hit a homer for me. I got my peace from your devotion.
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SGT Michael Thorin
Don't go expecting that every time, LOL. But as always Doug, thank you for the encouragement brother. I hate that you missed church, but I am very humbled by the fact that this brought you some peace. Sounds like I listened well this morning when this was laid on my heart.
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SGT Michael Thorin
I love it myself. It seems like it's daily scripture always provides some inspiration for a devotional.
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