Keeping in Step with the Spirit

This article was written by my daughter-in-law Nancy for The Hammer Magazine.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25)

Have you ever had the experience of walking with someone who is either racing ahead of you or dragging along behind? It is awkward, at best, and even difficult to carry on a conversation with such a companion. Remember watching a parade of marching soldiers or a band? If one person is out of step it can ruin the way the entire company looks. But walking with someone who is in step with you is pleasant.

So it is as we “live by the Spirit.” When we are in step with the Spirit, our Christian life goes on smoothly. But getting out of step brings disharmony. Are we trying to run ahead of the Spirit? Are we lagging dreadfully behind?

There is no secret to keeping in step with the Spirit. The Scripture says that those of us “who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature.” If that is true then it follows that we do live by the Spirit. Therefore, we should act as though we live by the Spirit and not as though we still are enslaved to the passions and desires that belonged to our sinful nature. It has been crucified! It is a thing of the past!

Keeping in step with the Spirit is living a life of victory in Christ. It is taking the teaching of the Bible seriously and applying it directly and promptly to our own lives.

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