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Our Campus Post Office is usually a hub of activity and its staff is always very busy. That’s why your prayers will be a great encouragement for Anthony Harper, Ronald Hunt, and Jenny Matthews.
TODAY IN THE WORDOne of the most familiar images of boot camp to most Americans includes rows of soldiers marching in perfect unison to the orders barked out by a drill sergeant. This may seem like rather a pointless exercise–when in real combat will soldiers ever march together in straight rows? But this misses the point of the practice. Marching teaches soldiers to work together, coordinate their efforts, and follow instructions. And these are indispensable aspects of success in true combat scenarios.
Having spent some time exploring biblical examples of the characteristics or “fruit” that indicate the Spirit’s presence in one’s life, we can now return to Paul’s argument in Galatians. Previously we saw that the real problem with humanity is that all people are enslaved to the sinful nature. The Law was and is powerless to fix this problem. Jesus, by dying for our sins and rising again, did what the Law cannot do. He rescued us from this evil age, for his crucifixion also brings about the crucifixion of the sinful nature (v. 24, see also 2:20).
The Spirit is the means by which this rescue operation is carried out. That is, those empowered by the Spirit live not as enslaved children, but as free, mature heirs of the inheritance God had promised to Abraham. They live lives characterized by the fruit of the Spirit. Keeping in step with the Spirit entails actually being a more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled person. The Law does not stand against or condemn those who live in this manner (v. 23). This is why Jews and Gentiles who are united in Jesus ought not to provoke or envy one another (v. 26).
TODAY ALONG THE WAYSome of the ancient practices of spiritual discipline seem quaint or even useless to us today. In our busy society with constant interaction with others, what is the point of disciplines like silence or solitude?
Actually, it is because we lead such busy lives that we need to cultivate these spiritual habits so we can hear God or exercise self-control. You may want to check out several good books that describe the spiritual benefits to Christians today of practicing these disciplines, including Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.
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