Living by the Spirit

“Living by the Spirit”
Sabbath School Class
December 17, 2011
Larry R Evans, Teacher

Introduction
Gabe Lyons, in his book The Next Christians, says that research shows that over 76% of Americans self-identify as Christian. (p. 5) However, as he points out, finding that 76% is not easy. Perhaps this coincides with research reported in the book Unchristian, also co-authored by Lyons, in which it was stated that 87% of “young outsiders labeled Christians as judgmental.” (Ibid. p.32) What’s going on! There seems to be a disconnect between a profession and the Christian walk. Lyons suggests that part of the problem comes when Christians emphasize only a “half story”. God’s story isn’t confined to the fall and redemption. In fact he says, “Creation and restoration are the bookends to Christ’s earthly work . . . “ (p.51) This week’s lesson in actuality must be seen from a comprehensive perspective which includes: creation, the fall, redemption and restoration. “Living by the Spirit” is a dynamic experience of all four parts. It is a story that God not only wants us to know but to also live out in the context of a world seeking answers. It is far more a story about God than a story about us—yet with us in the picture God’s love is made even more clear.
Reflective Quiz
1. “Walking in the Spirit” as used by Paul (Gal. 5:16) is equivalent to the Old Testament’s “walking in the law.” (Jer. 44:23) True or False?

2. The Christian’s struggle with sin is more intense than that of a person who is not a Christian. (Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:14-20, 24-25; Jn. 3:6) True or False?

3. The singular used in “the fruit of the Spirit” suggests that there is but one source from which these qualities come. (Gal. 5:22-25) True or False?

4. To meet the problems created by the Judaizers Paul presented an alternative to the law which is Christian love. (Gal. 5:22-23; Matt. 5:21-22, 27) True or False?

5. It is possible to live a victorious Christian life. (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 7:24-25) True or False?

Class Notes
1. “Walking in the Spirit” as used by Paul (Gal. 5:16) is equivalent to the Old Testament’s “walking in the law.” (Jer. 44:23) True

The 1984 NIV reads: 16 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

The 2010 NIV reads: 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

The KJV and ESV (English Standard Version) both translate it as “walk”. “Walking” is a methphor drawn from the OT that reflects the way a person should live or behave. The word is in the present tense meaning: “to go on living or walking.” It is one’s “habitual conduct.” Living by the power and promptings of the Spirit is key to conquering sinful desires as pointed out in verse 25. (See also Rom. 8:2-5)

Early Christians were known as followers of “the Way” suggesting that Christianity was not an isolated set of theological beliefs “about” Jesus but rather a life characterized as walking as He did.

As Jesus sought to “fulfill” the Law and the Prophets (Matt 5:17) so Christians were known as “fulfilling” the teachings of Christ by weaving the principles He taught and lived into their own lives.

2. The Christian’s struggle with sin is more intense than that of a person who is not a Christian. (Gal. 5:17; Rom. 7:14-20, 24-25; Jn. 3:6) True (but qualified)

17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. (NIV8)

Keep in mind when referring to a Bible text that we must first ask what the author has in mind before we start making our own applications. Paul is not suggesting that non-Christians don’t have moral conflicts. They do in fact sense these conflicts. However, what Paul is saying is that all of us have been born with a disposition towards selfishness and that leads us have desires for that which are sinful. Accepting Christ and being filled with the Spirit does not put an end to the warring conflict that takes place between sinful self and the self that desires to be like Jesus. Sensitivity to sin and its effects become very real to the Spirit-filled Christian. This conflict is real but the good news is that this personal battle doesn’t have to end with us straddling the fence or worse yet yielding to the temptations of the flesh. Jesus had given an insight that Paul now emphasizes. Note what Jesus said about this personal conflict between good and evil (Lik 9:23-24):

23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Carl Cosaert frames the conflict this way: “Because the converted mind is too weak to resist the flesh by itself, the only hope we have of subduing the flesh is by making a daily decision (Luke 9:23) to side with the Spirit against ourselves. This is why Paul is so insistent that we choose to walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).” Galatians, p.128.

Paul is simply saying that if we walk with God and are filled and live in harmony with His Spirit, we need not succumb to sinful desires. Sin and all of its forms of selfishness need not be our ruler! The choice is ours.

3. The singular used in “the fruit of the Spirit” suggests that there is but one source from which these qualities come. (Gal. 5:22-25) True

In Galatians 5:19-24, this inner conflict between good and evil is laid out in concrete comparisons: the works of flesh (sinful nature) vs the fruit of the Spirit.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self–control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (NIV8)

There are some important differences.
Perhaps the most noticeable is that the sinful nature (the “flesh”) demands whereas the Spirit produces. This little insight has occupied much of my reflection over the past year or two. It is such an important insight and critical to our understanding of God, Satan, sin, redemption and emphasizes what Gabe Lyons does in his book The Next Christians, namely, we must read the whole story and not just the story about the fall and our redemption. The forceful nature of sin both internally and externally. This conflict began in Genesis which cast a deep shadow over God’s original design for the “newly” created earth causing Him to pronounce later the restoration called “the new earth.” The outworking of this principle is seen throughout Scripture but the questions raised in Genesis find a response in the last book of the Bible where the new earth is prepared and inhabited by a redeemed people.

Paul’s list of sins, 14 named but not meant to be an exhaustive list, could be categorized into four areas: sex, religion, society, and intemperance. What we must not overlook, however, is that Paul’s point is that the theological approach of the Judiazers is not sufficient to combat this assault by the sinful nature found within each of us. Paul is essentially saying that poor theology can be dangerous. A misunderstanding of God is much more than a difference of opinion. It can lead to excusing sin and losing eternal life. (5:21) The solution is not foun by trying to eliminate each sin one by one! Paul introduces the answer by referring to a single unifying truth: The power of belonging to Christ. As Christ was crucified on the cross so His followers must allow their “sinful nature with its passions and desires” to be crucified. (5:24) When they do they bear “the fruit” of the Spirit. “Fruit” is singular in Greek. That one Source will naturally produce qualities of the Spirit– nine are listed. For Paul the theological controversy facing the Galatians is dead serious! A corrupt view of God can lead to distorted ideas that lead to a breakdown in human relationships such as sexual and religious behaviors.

4. To meet the problems created by the Judaizers Paul presented an alternative to the law which is Christian love. (Gal. 5:22-23; Matt. 5:21-22, 27) False?

God’s law vs God’s love is a false dichotomy! The fruit of the Spirit found in Gal. 5:22-23 is not contrary to God’s law but rather its fulfillment. In this context notice the words of Jesus:

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Paul recognizes that the only way to have this kind of righteousness comes not by some outward legalistic exercise but by being led by the Holy Spirit. In 5:16-25 the Holy Spirit is brought front and center 7 times! This is a theme of Paul and the key to the fruit of “righteousness by faith.”

13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 8:14-15, NIV8)

5. It is possible to live a victorious Christian life. (Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 7:24-25) True

In continuation with the previous questions we should note that there are 5 key verbs in Gal. 5:16-26.
a. “walk” in the spirit (v.16)
b. “to be led” (v.18)
c. “to live” (v.25)
d. “to walk” (v.25)
e. “to crucify”

The common denominator in all cases is that they underscore the necessity an importance of the decisions we make. Making such a decision can be made difficult because of job security, family associations, internal desires, peer an cultural pressures . . . and the list could go on and on. Waiting for the pressure to subside is never a safe alternative. Note the following insights:

“The life of the Christian is not all smooth. He has stern conflicts to meet. Severe temptations assail him. "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." The nearer we come to the close of this earth's history, the more delusive and ensnaring will be the attacks of the enemy. His attacks will grow fiercer and more frequent. Those who resist light and truth will become more hardened and unimpressible, and more bitter against those who love God and keep His commandments. Ellen G White (MS 33, 1911). {6BC 1111.7}

Closing Reflections
The spiritual choices that confront us each day may not seem all that relevant to the world around us. They may never make the headlines or the evening news yet a life is at stake – ours. The key to victory is found outside of ourselves yet it must come inside. Describe it as we may whether it be walking with, abiding with, being led or living as – every verb form of the victorious Christian reflects a link with the Holy Spirit which leads us to the closing question for this week: How often have we prayed for the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to lead us, to teach us and yes, even correct us?

The Road to Faith

“The Road to Faith”

Larry R Evans

Sabbath School

November 12, 2011

Introduction

Perhaps one of the most difficult subjects to understand but also one of the most important is the relationship between law and gospel. How this “single” subject is understood shapes to a large degree one’s view of God as well as one’s own of self. Is the law at odds with the promise made to Abraham or does it give even more emphasis to the promised grace of God? That will be the focus of our study this week. The following are a few quotes from Ellen White on Galatians 3:21-25 that may be of interest to you in your study.

Ellen G White Comments

Found in

The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol.6, p.1071

20-31 (Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 22:17). With Humble Hearts Survey the Atonement.--Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement. {6BC 1071.4}

This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works. God always demanded good works, the law demands it, but because man placed himself in sin where his good works were valueless, Jesus' righteousness alone can avail. Christ is able to save to the uttermost because He ever liveth to make intercession for us. {6BC 1071.5}

All that man can possibly do toward his own salvation is to accept the invitation, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met on Calvary. Thus the cross, in earnest appeals, continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation (MS 50, 1900). {6BC 1071.6}

24-26 (see EGW on ch. 5:11). The Father Abundantly Satisfied.--The atonement that has been made for us by Christ is wholly and abundantly satisfactory to the Father. God can be just, and yet the justifier of those who believe (MS 28, 1905). {6BC 1071.7}

Reflective Quiz

1. God gave His promise to Abraham but changed His mind and gave his law instead to those who came after Abraham. (Gal. 3:21; James 1:17) True or False?

2. Keeping the law makes one a prisoner. (Gal. 3:23; 4:21; James 2:12) True or False?

3. How we relate to God’s law may have more to do with our own desires than the purpose God had in mind when giving the law. (Gal. 3:24; Rom. 8:9-14) True or False?

4. Both the ceremonial and ten commandment law are school masters. (Gal. 3:23) True or False?

5. Jesus of the New Testament came to set sinners free from the God of the Old Testament. True or False?

Class Notes

1. God gave His promise to Abraham but changed His mind and gave his law instead to those who came after Abraham. (Gal. 3:21; James 1:17) False

In our earlier study we established that the promise and agreement made with Abraham by God was very one-sided! God was to provide. Abraham was to believe and walk with God. Simple? Not really. Believing when the future seems dubious at best is not easy. It is all about trust. That’s why this week’s lesson is entitled “The Road to Faith.” The question being asked, however, is: Did God change his mind, change the basis for Abraham’s secure future?

The promise (Gen. 17:1,2):

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lordappeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. ² I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Perhaps a confusing passage for Paul’s audience:

⁴ You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. ⁵ Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

Paul’s clarification:

²¹ Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. ²² But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

“The law cannot be ‘contrary’ to the promises of God because the law and the promise are not rivals. They are both part of God’s one and only plan to save a world torn apart by sin. The law and the gospel simply play different roles.” Cosaert, p.69.

“. . . it is not the law’s fault that it cannot give life. God never intended for it to do that. The law can testify to what is right and wrong, but it is unable to forgive sin or give humans the moral power to obey its commands. Ibid, p.70

Illustration: Two different groups of a football team: the offense and the defense.

2. Keeping the law makes one a prisoner. (Gal. 3:23; 4:21; James 2:12) False

²² But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

²³ Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law,locked up until faith should be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

Question: What is Paul’s primary concern? Is it the law or is it sin?

Paul’s concern is clearly with the dominion of “sin” over the whole world. We are prisoners of sin which is revealed by the law “SO THAT” we can break that bondage through Christ who justifies us by faith. The foundation for this was established with Abraham! Verse 22 becomes the base thought from which his argument is made for hope given through Christ. The law was anything but a curse but neither was it the savior.

A parallel passage might be: Rom. 7:21- 8:2

²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

3. How we relate to God’s law may have more to do with our own desires than the purpose God had in mind when giving the law. (Gal. 3:24; Rom. 8:9-14) True

²⁴ So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. (Gal 3:24)

⁹ You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Rom. 8:9-14)

The liberty of which Paul is so anxious for everyone to pursue is freedom from the dominion of sin – even to not do what one does not want to do and to be able to do what one would like to do. (Rom. 7)

¹⁴ For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Rom. 6:14)

4. Both the ceremonial and ten commandment law are school masters. (Gal. 3:23) True

²³ Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. ²⁴So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (Gal 3:23-25, NIV)

²³ But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. ²⁴ Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.²⁵ But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (Gal. 3:23-25)

“The paidagogos was a slave that Roman society placed in a position of authority over the master’s son or sons from the time they turned 6 or 7 until they reached maturity. . . . But of all of the various things a paidagogos might do, his primary task boiled down to protection, prevention, and correction.” (Cosaert, p.75)

“God’s law was necessary ‘because we are also held in the custody of sin’s prevailing influence.” . . . It is true that the law does have the negative role of pointing out and condemning sin. But it also has the positive function of guarding and protecting us form evil. And even the negative aspect of condemning sin ultimately has the positive objective of helping us realize our need for Christ.” (Ibid. p. 77)

What law is the schoolmaster?

“What law is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ? I answer both: Both the ceremonial and the moral code of ten commandments.” Ellen White, 1SM, p.233.

“The law reveals sin to us, and causes us to feel our need of Christ and to flee unto Him for pardon and peace by exercising repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ellen White, 1SM, p. 234)

5. Jesus of the New Testament came to set sinners free from the God of the Old Testament. False

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. ² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. (Jn 17:1-4)

Marcionism was an Early Christian dualist belief system that originated in the teachings of Marcion of Sinope at Rome around the year 144;^[1] see alsoChristianity in the 2nd century.

Marcion believed Jesus Christ was the savior sent by God and Paul of Tarsus was his chief apostle, but he rejected the Hebrew Bible and the God of Israel(YHWH Elohim). Marcionists believed that the wrathful Hebrew God was a separate and lower entity than the all-forgiving God of the New Testament. This belief was in some ways similar to Gnostic Christian theology; notably, both are dualistic.

Marcion declared that Christianity was distinct from and in opposition to Judaism, see also Anti-Judaism. He rejected the entire Hebrew Bible, and declared that the God of the Hebrew Bible was a lesser demiurge, who had created the earth, but was (de facto) the source of evil.

The premise of Marcionism is that many of the teachings of Christ are incompatible with the actions of the God of the Old Testament. Focusing on the Pauline traditions of the Gospel, Marcion felt that all other conceptions of the Gospel, and especially any association with the Old Testament religion, was opposed to, and a backsliding from, the truth. He further regarded the arguments of Paul regarding law and gospel, wrath and grace, works and faith, flesh and spirit, sin and righteousness, death and life, as the essence of religious truth. He ascribed these aspects and characteristics as two principles, the righteous and wrathful God of the Old Testament, who is at the same time identical with the creator of the world, and a second God of the Gospel, quite unknown before Christ, who is only love and mercy. (Wikapedia)

Conclusion

For Paul and hopefully for us, Christ is everything . Heaven has spoken very clearly: sin is the enemy and through Christ victory is certain. God established a definite plan for our redemption in which He made a promise with Abraham – a promise that spoke victory despite the pervasive sin problem. To ensure that the principles of His kingdom were not forgotten the law was given but never as a savior. The law and the promise are both part of the same solution. They are not two different ways to be saved and never were. With the coming of Christ a more in depth view of God and His plan was made more clear. With such a revelation we do not merely follow a set of rules. We have Jesus but in doing so we do not negate the law but we see an even higher calling. The ultimate conformity is to Christ. Being under such grace brings confidence not despair. We remain a work in progress as the Holy Spirit empowers us to see more clearly and to be more like Jesus. Combined, the law and the gospel are a clear revelation of God’s expectations, His character and His desire to claim us as His children. Like Abraham of old, we are directed towards the road of faith but whether we take that road or a detour is a choice we must make.