Today in God's Word
March 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
March 23, Galatians 5 The young woman, giddy with anticipation, walks through the pharmacy. She has a
doctor's appointment, but she can't wait. She finds the right aisle, and scans the
shelves. She's never bought such a thing. There it is. Clear results in five minutes. She buys the kit. takes it home. She shows the
result to her husband. They embrace in joy.
The home testing kit says she's pregnant. The baby they've waited and prayed for is
on the way. Self-exams and home testing kits can be
important first alerts and early warnings. They can't replace professional medical
treatment, but they serve a useful purpose. There's a spiritual do-it-yourself test in today's portion. The question of control lies at the heart of daily living and spiritual well- being. It might seem too complicated an issue to ascertain on our own, but Paul gave the Galatians a self-testing kit, consisting of two lists. It only takes a few minutes and some honest introspection to determine whether we're controlled by the flesh or by the Spirit. Taking the test doesn't make you the judge, but it does point out who or what
controls you. Does the idea of being controlled offend
you? Do you imagine you're in charge? We're all under someone's control. Christ freed us from the bondage and slavery of sin for expressions of love and service, not for self-indulgence. Freed from the cruel and impossible yoke of the law, we express our trust in the Lord by living under the Spirit's control. We are free in Christ to bless the people around us, not to run over, hurt or
use them. Which of these lists describes your attitudes and actions? Do your conversations show the works of the flesh in your life? Are your relationships marked by the fruit of the
Spirit? The results of this exam have strong implications. People who practice the works of the flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The apostle of grace warned that living like the first list shows we are not really God's people, and we're not headed for eternity with him. On the other hand, people
who live like the second list are Christ's. They walk by his Spirit, not their own fleshly
desires. There's no law against the fruit of the Spirit, but there are plenty of laws against the works of the flesh. Grace enables us to live by the Spirit's guidance. Relying on the law severs you from Christ's sacrifice and shuts the door on grace. The law is all-or-nothing; there's no cafeteria plan to choose which commands to obey. Its demand for perfection and our imperfection are not a
good match. So, who's in control of your life? You can read the lists and find out for yourself, in a few minutes, in the privacy of your own home. Be honest with yourself, and remember the evidence is probably already
clear to the people around you.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament,
Copyright @ 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used
by permission. All rights reserved
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