What defines our passions and purpose in life? There are two “people” in us that struggle, battle may be the more accurate word, to define us. There is our flesh and our spirit. Only one of them will lead us at any one time. The leader may change, but there will only be one at a time. In 5:17 Paul describes these two as enemies. Following one will always offend the other who will fight against the leader. God gave Israel the Law so that they could identify the working of the flesh person inside of them. We still have the Law for the same reason; to expose the enemy of God who dwells with us. In 5:19-21 Paul describes the evidence of a life controlled by the flesh. Even non-believers would be opposed to the ugly realities that these traits produce. In 5:22-26 Paul describes not only the evidence of a life controlled by the Spirit but also the assurance that to live under God’s Spirit frees us from any concerns about the Law. When we live in accord with God’s Spirit we have life, and show the evidence that our fleshly desires are dead or dying.
Stuart
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