Wind & Fire - ReflectionsSample

Written by Javier De La Rosa - Discipleship Minister at City on a Hill Melbourne

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” - Galatians 5:13-17 (ESV)

Paul reminds us that the gospel is a declaration of freedom. In Jesus, we have been forgiven completely, welcomed into a perfect relationship with the Father, and freed from the ultimate power of sin and death. The sting of death has been removed, and eternal communion with God has been secured. This is not fragile freedom, it is finished, accomplished, and certain.

Yet this freedom does not remove the daily battle. Galatians 5 tells us plainly that there is an ongoing conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. In the busyness and pressures of life, we can forget what is true of us in Christ and begin to live as though we are still enslaved, pulled by old desires and tempted toward disobedience of God’s good ways.

The good news is that we are not left alone in this fight. God has given us His Spirit, not only to dwell within us but to surround us through the life of the church. The Spirit protects us, reminds us of what is true, and empowers us to live out the freedom we have already been given. Through love, service, encouragement, and the exercise of spiritual gifts, God strengthens His people to walk in step with Him.

We do not fight for victory; we fight from it. The battle has been won, and together with our brothers and sisters, we learn to rejoice, persevere, and live freely, thinking, acting, and relating in ways that reflect the grace we have received in Christ.

Reflect:

Based on today’s reading:

How is the Holy Spirit inviting me to respond today, for God’s glory and the good of others?

Pray:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom You have won for me. Help me to walk by Your Spirit and not be led by old desires. Remind me daily of what is true in the gospel, and strengthen me through Your Spirit and body to live in the freedom of Your grace. Amen