We Have Chosen – Galatians Part 11

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Galatians 5 (Link) 25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. 26 That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. (Galatians 5:25-26 MSG) The core message of Paul’s Galatian letter is using our freedom in Christ to make good choices. Will we choose Grace or Law? Spirit or Flesh? Others or Self? Will you be yourself or compare yourself with others? We make the choices, then everything in our lives flows out of those decisions. Paul challenges us to choose the life of the Spirit, not the life of the flesh – the freedom of grace and not the slavery of the law. I choose the life of the Spirit and the freedom of grace! Good choice! Now comes the challenge of working out its implications in every detail of our lives! That means:
• I will daily choose God’s amazing grace and refuse to be caught in the blame game or the religion trap.
• I will daily listen for the Spirit’s promptings and respond in faith, no matter how far out of my comfort zone that puts me.
• I will daily become more “other aware” and take every opportunity to encourage, to assist, and to serve.
• I will be my original God-created self and not compare myself with others as if I were better or worse. I have far more interesting things to do with my life! Don’t ever forget, friends! We choose the Life of the Spirit! Now let’s live The Life in simple faith—hour by hour—working it out in the details of our days! Prayer: Father, With your help I will…“Make a careful exploration of who I am and the work you have given me, and then sink myself into that. I won’t be impressed with myself. I won’t compare myself with others. I take responsibility for doing the creative best I can with my own life.” (Galatians 6:4-5 MSG). Amen.

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