Bible Passage:Gal 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
* * *
Paul explains to this effect: I have not forgotten my former discourse concerning faith, neither do I revoke it in that I exhort you to mutual love, saying that "the whole Law is fulfilled through love," but I am still of the same mind and opinion that I was before. But that you may rightly understand me, I add this in addition: "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Paul speaks plainly enough, yet he has not prevailed. There are those who gather from his words this interpretation: If love is the fulfilling of the Law, it follows then that love is righteousness; therefore if we love, we are righteous. The Law has commanded love, therefore the work of love follows. But Paul's answer to such is: It is true that we ought to fulfill the Law, and to be justified through the fulfilling thereof; but sin hinders us. Indeed, the Law prescribes and commands that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, but it does not automatically follow: This is written, therefore it is done; the Law commands love, therefore we love. There is not one man to be found upon the whole earth, who loves God and his neighbor as the Law requires. But in the life to come, where we shall be thoroughly cleansed from all vices and sins, and shall be made as pure and clear as the sun, we shall love perfectly, and shall be righteous through perfect love. But in this life that purity is hindered by the flesh, for as long as we live, sin remains in the flesh. In the meantime notwithstanding, that we may be righteous in this life also, we have Christ the mercy-seat and throne of grace, and because we believe in Him, sin is not imputed unto us. Faith, therefore, is our righteousness in this life.
Guard, O God, our faith forever;
Let not Satan, death or shame
Ever part us from our Savior;
Lord, our Refuge is Thy name.
Though our flesh would fain say. Nay,
Be Thy Word to us still Yea.
--
Cuda.
aka Pastor Robin Fish
It isn't whether we win or lose, it is "Do we stand faithfully?"
Information Copyright © 2007 Robin Fish. All rights reserved.
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