WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF YOUR FAITH?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 
(Galatians 5:18)

MEDITATION:
People of faith usually choose to either live by a set of rules, 
or being led by the Spirit.
Of course the problem of living by a standard of rules 
is that we will not succeed in obeying them all…all the time.

When we fail any of the rules, 
it can be discouraging and even devastating to us.
When that happens, where do we go for encouragement – to another rules?
As long as we choose to base our faith on something concocted by man, 
we can expect changes, and that results in an inconsistent faith.

However, those who live by the Spirit of faith are ‘connected’ to the Lord 
without any rules manufactured by man getting in the way of their 
relationship with Him.
When we are guided by the Spirit of the Lord, 
we don’t get bogged down with a checklist of rules for living.

Instead, we are led by our conscience, attitude, heart, 
and of course, the Holy Spirit.
When we fail (and we know when we do), we don’t have to search for some rule 
to comfort and encourage us, but instead we go to the Lord and ask Him 
for forgiveness, encouragement, and strength to overcome our weaknesses 
in the future.

In all honesty, wouldn’t you agree that living by the Spirit of faith 
is much better than trying to live by a set of rules?
However, many are drawn to religions which emphasize following a set of rules,
because they want something more tangible that can be used as a checklist.

In Galatians, we are told that those who are led by the Spirit 
are no longer under the law (which consists of a set of rules).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, 
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things 
there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh 
with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in 
step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying 
each other. (Galatians 5:22-25)

Being led by the Spirit produces some outstanding benefits in our lives, 
including:
- We develop a new intensity to love others, 
  and we experience a new level of joy.
- We discover a peace that sustains us in difficult circumstances.
- We develop a patience that helps to reduce stress in our lives,
  and contributes to our development of self-control.
- We learn to enjoy being kind and gentle to others.
- Our efforts to remain faithful to the Lord increases.
- We have a desire to avoid the things of the flesh 
  with its passions and desires.
- We are no longer the cause of problems as a result of conceit, envy 
  and provoking others to anger or discouragement in all kinds of ways.

And lastly, we have a desire to ‘keep in step with the Spirit’.
In order to do that, we must yield our will to His Will.
Yielding to the Spirit’s Will is difficult, if not impossible, 
as long as we try to hold onto the flesh with its ‘passions and desires’.
Paul tells us that when we belong to Christ, we will crucify the desires of the flesh.

ACTION:
Look at the evidences of living a life 
led by the Spirit – does that describe you?
If not, then what is standing in the way?
Are you focused on following a set of rules 
instead of yielding to the Spirit’s Will?

Being led by the Spirit not only pleases God and opens the door to many 
blessings, but it also makes you a living witness for Christ 
and makes you a person of good character.
Have you been telling yourself 
that you need to make a full commitment to the Lord?
Why not stop procrastinating and choose today to yield to the Spirit of God?

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, if my faith is pointed in the wrong direction, I pray that 
You will make me aware of it and redirect me to a faith that encourages me 
to crucify my desires of the flesh and to be governed by Your Spirit. I want 
a relationship with You instead of following a set of rules. I believe that 
fellowshipping with You will lead to dramatic and positive changes in me.”

blog: utvolwoody.wordpress.com