Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 17

Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law, part 17

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 5:16–23

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Today’s Scripture Jigsaw

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They are more than blind who do not perceive that wicked desires in the flesh are sins, of which Paul says, “For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh” (Gal 5:17). The flesh distrusts God, trusting instead in worldly things. It seeks human aid in times of trouble, and contrary to God's will, flees from those afflictions that it ought to bear because of God's commands. It also doubts God's mercy. The Holy Spirit in our hearts contends with such dispositions in order to suppress and put them to death, and to produce new spiritual drives. We will collect more testimonies about this topic later, although they are obvious throughout the Scriptures and also in the holy Fathers.

Pulling It Together: From the moment we are born again, the battle begins. We are always at war within ourselves. The flesh resists the Spirit who has moved into our lives. So, as might be expected, the Spirit opposes the flesh and would go so far as to terminate those urges of the flesh that would lead us away from God. However, this is a slow, daily chore, so the Holy Spirit would do more than curb and kill. The Spirit brings forth new, better, and spiritual impulses in us so that we are slowly reworked into the new creation God is making. Even so, we begin to bear fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. In so doing, God has caused us to go deeper than we ever could have through law-keeping.

Prayer: Help me, Holy Spirit, to keep in step with you today. Amen

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