When the apostle Paul wrote his fiery letter to the “idiot, foolish Galatians” he expressed his utter dismay that having begun with the Spirit they had fallen back to living in the flesh, that is, by their natural efforts instead of with the power of the Holy Spirit. How could it be possible?
Do you understand the outrage that Paul plainly showed in this letter? Feel the consequences? the seriousness?
The Galatians had abandoned the wonderful life of God by which they had received the Spirit and by which God had worked miracles among them, by their believing in their hearts. Now it seemed they had experienced so much blessing for nothing. They had stopped believing what God had said, had provided. Instead they were trying to be “Christian” in their own way.
It is very, very bad to be a Christian in your own way, a D.I.Y. life.
Sadly, I know many Christians who have in the past, experienced the transforming life of the Spirit but now are running on empty, seeking after systems and traditions instead of the amazing life and abundant experience of living and walking in the Spirit–the great plan and the promise of the Father, the immersing of his followers in the Spirit.
This has to be our normal daily lifestyle until he returns.
It is a deplorable thing to have abandoned the commands of Jesus to “take the Holy Spirit”, the very provision we need to fulfil the great commission and instead use strategies and systems instead of those God has provided.
This is a woeful, terrible mistake, to despise what God has provided.
Look, the Lord has no place for those who turn their back on his ways, bought for us, his followers, at such enormous cost.
Jesus warned us that no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back, not living in the power and the fruit of the Spirit, is fit for the Kingdom of God.
Yet the Lord’s grace, forgiveness and mercy is instantly available by turning with the whole heart back to living and walking in the Spirit, to the gracious plan of the Master, to doing the works of Jesus.
The alternative is absolutely unthinkable. There can be no other way, but Jesus himself.
Ian Thomson 