“Obedience, not traditions, forms and patterns of men is walking in the Spirit”
For, brethren, Ye have been called into liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another Gal 5:13.
Those under the law are cursed (Gal 3:10) and face the wrath of God (Rom 4:15); they are in bondage but we have been called to liberty which is of and in the Spirit. For where the Spirit is there is liberty 2Cor3:17. The Spirit is opposed to the flesh vs 16, 17. It is obvious that one can use his or her liberty to serve the flesh. This means that one is obeying the dictates of his flesh- the fallen, condemned human nature of sin. But to serve the Spirit one must obey the Spirit. One must listen to the dictate of the Spirit. The contrast to serving the flesh is serving one another by love. ‘By love’ substitutes ‘by the Spirit’ and it fits perfectly. To walk in the Spirit is to walk by love. Walking in the Spirit is to let the love of Christ compel all our decisions and actions. This is the truth of God that we must obey. Walking in the Spirit is not going about everywhere ‘speaking in tongues.’ That is good if in practical terms one is allowing love to rule when it comes to dealing with other people. If one is not using speaking in tongues to irritate others the way our Ishmael brothers carry their prayer beads about counting it all the time to impress others by their religious devotion. True religion is practical as James 1:22-27 taught. It is to be a doer of the word; it is to bridle one’s tongue; it is to help the needy and not be worldly. Letting love dictate our actions toward others is the law of the Spirit. That is how the Spirit leads and it is the way of the Spirit. It is being conscious of others around us- their needs, and responding accordingly. It is not to be absorbed by our own needs and selves (through religious acts) to the disbenefit of others. It is caring and taking interest in the concerns of others. It is about not putting yourself first. This is the way of the Spirit. It is when we walk in this way that we are not serving the flesh.
Walking in the Spirit is described in the following ways in the book of Galatians:
- Standing in the grace of Christ 1:6. Depending on the grace of God as the source of all spiritual blessings and benefits is the foundation. We must hold to the conviction that God in Christ has given us all that pertains to life and Godliness through our knowledge of Christ. This means we cannot attain to any Spiritual height or receive any spiritual blessing by our own carnal, human strength or worldly capacity. It is in this grace we stand if we must walk in the Spirit.
- Walking uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel 2:14. The truth of the Gospel is that all those who are of faith are justified and those who are justified are one with Christ and in the Body of Christ. There is no more division on the basis of ethnicity, race, caste and gender. Therefore, all believers everywhere are to be accepted as equal and of the same family of God. This truth is because of Gal 2:20. We are dead to the world and Christ now lives in us. It is a life of faith of the Son of God. It is following the example of Christ and immediately it is seen as a life of love.
- Obedience to the truth Gal 3:1. To obey implies one has heard something. What is heard? The Apostle talked about hearing of faith. This is the truth of God preached- first in the Gospel and then taught as the life of Christ. The sinner hears the gospel and believes while the believer hears the commands of Christ and he obeys- all is of faith. This is living and walking in the Spirit. Therefore the key for the believer is to OBEY- the truth of God revealed through Christ.
- Walking in the Spirit 5:16 is to be led by the Spirit 5:18 and it is to sow to the Spirit 6:8 and they all refer to what we have described above.
Walking in the Spirit is a life of faith, that is not abstract and subjective, but one that is anchored in the Word of God, requiring obedience to it. Impressions and impulses may be used by the Holy Spirit to guide occasionally. If these were the norm, walking in the Spirit will entirely be subjective and there will be no basis for holding one another accountable. But ultimately, it is His Word that is the only authority and guide for Christ-like living. To this all believers are accountable.