Freedom – Life In The Spirit

‘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. ‘ Galatians 5:22-25

This week, Hannah Hutchinson from Crosspoint Church in Niceville, FL, continued in the Sermon Series, Freedom. Here are the links from the previous messages:

As we start to live our lives in the Spirit, our natural inclinations should diminish as we become more like Jesus with the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

‘He must become greater; I must become less.” ‘ John 3:30

John the Baptist said this when his disciples started to question the popularity of Jesus. As this applied to John, it also applies to us. Our lives should begin to change, and the fruit of that change should be: LOVE.

‘“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” ‘ Matthew 22:36-40

But living like this is a battle, and the battleground is the 6 inches between our ears. We will find ourselves at odds with the very “natural” way of the flesh and the “supernatural” way of the Spirit.

The question is, how can we become more in alignment with the Spirit?

What we focus on tends to manifest in our lives. So the first place to start would be: God’s Word. If we are not in the Word of God daily, the struggle will almost be impossible for us. At best, our lives and understanding will be frustrating.

‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ‘ John 15:4-5

“Apart from me you can do nothing.”

So let’s look at this logically.

The Gospel of John starts off this way: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The Word of God will have a “supernatural” effect on those who are called to follow Jesus, but that effect will only happen when we actively engage with the Bible.

I have had full verses come into my mind while interacting with others that have changed the course of the initial way of would have handled the situation on my own.

Studying the Word of God is essential if we are going to have a working relationship with the Spirit of God. It is a must. I would suggest that there is a problem if the desire to be in God’s Word is not in the heart of someone who is genuinely saved.

If the desire to be in God’s Word is missing from you presently, get on your knees before God and ask Him to make it a desire of your heart.

As this becomes a spiritual habit in your life, the words on these pages will affect how you think, and your thinking will affect what you do.

‘ “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ‘ John 14:15-17

When we accept the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts. But God was never about forcing Himself on us; He was always looking for a willing heart of worship. This same thing applies to the Spirit living inside of us.

Our willingness to develop that relationship will manifest in the fruit of the Spirit.

Love is the fruit, resulting in the attributes of joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I use these attributes to measure where my heart is with the Lord. If I am missing one of these attributes, I ask the Lord to help me get it back. This will generally lead me back to the sin that I harbor in my heart against someone in my life.

Like any meaningful relationship we have in our lives, it takes time. We need to make time to be alone with Jesus. We need to spend time in God’s Word to understand His promises for us, and it is by keeping these promises in our hearts and minds will help us through the challenging times in our lives.

And getting through these challenging times in our lives will help us serve others through the difficult times that they face in their lives.

‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ‘ John 15:13

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word.

I pray that You will continue to give us the desire to be in Your Word. I pray that You stay centered in my heart so that I can be a light to those that You put on my path.

Let Your Word affect my thinking, attitudes, and actions.

I thank You for the faithfulness and promise of Your Word.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️