God of the full life, grant to this dear reader exactly what they are needing right now; in Jesus Christ' name I pray, amen.
Our text is from Galatians 5:1, 13-25: 1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Thank God most of us have not known the penalty of a sentence to prison. Many of us viewed our twelve years of mandatory public education as a sentence and as our senior year approached we celebrated with the same joy of one whose prison doors were about to open. Then many of those same folk devote as much time as they can to social networks to re-live those precious days. Paul knew about the sentence of living under sin and of being in prison. Paul knew freedom better. He knew the joy and the fullness of life that comes from knowing and living free from any bondages. For Paul, to live under the guidance of the Spirit was what led to this freedom of which he speaks. To live under the leading of the flesh, Paul says, leads to destruction and death. His checklist reminds us of what can and does happen to give into passion and pleasures of the flesh. But Paul also, thankfully, gives us the checklist of that which blesses us when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. And what a list that is!
What checklist are you marking down today? More importantly, what list does God see you "checking" as your go through your day? Ask God to lead you by the Holy Spirit and see the results of a joyous, happy, and free life.
PRAYER: Loving God of freedom, free me for joyful living. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit so that my decisions and actions will reflect that to me and to others. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord.
Eradio Valverde
