Baggage Claim — Carry On - Wednesday
Today’s Verse
Galatians 5:24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (ESV)
After Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, he recognized the weight of his former persecution of the Church, and turned sharply toward a zealous pursuit of Christ (Acts 9:1-31). As he traveled throughout the ancient world planting churches and converting new believers with the Gospel, he taught these newly converted Christians to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. But sometimes they needed reminding. Paul used some of his harshest language in his letter to the Galatians. Phrases like, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” and “I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.”
Honesty, he could say the same to us. If you’re like me, you might relate to the Galatians and realize that it’s all too easy to lose focus, get comfortable, and stop actively pursuing Christ. And in the words of the letter to the Church at Laodicea in Revelation 3, we become “lukewarm.”
Have you ever warmed up leftover soup then discovered after one bite it was barely warm? It’s honestly kind of gross. Back into the microwave—no one wants to eat lukewarm soup!
Galatians 5 describes those who “walk by the Spirit” and those who “gratify the desires of the flesh.” Each is paired with a list of their fruits (that is, the things that come out of the hearts of each kind of person). And while comfortable/lukewarm masquerades as a nice in-between option, Scripture is clear that there is no such thing. Revelation 3:16 says, “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Church, we really don’t want to be lukewarm.
Galatians 5:24-25 says, “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” In essence, Jesus took our flesh (that is, our sinful nature) and crucified it on the cross with him. This doesn’t mean we won’t ever struggle or face temptation, but it does mean that when we live by the power of the Holy Spirit, God produces His fruit in our lives. Ever wonder what characteristics define someone who is living by the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
REFLECTION
Pray this prayer with me today:
Lord, when we face temptation and the desires of our flesh, remind us of Christ’s sacrifice and the freedom available to us when we live in step with Your Spirit. Grow the fruits of Your Spirit in us, and remove lukewarm as an option for our lives. Amen.
