Who will we live for today? Do you think there is a choice? Are we just living for “the man” so to speak? Who is “the man” that we seek to please most often? Is it us, others, our bosses, our friends, our family, society?
Today’s Affirmation is from Galatians 6:8. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. (NLT)
This is one of those Hindsight scriptures isn’t it? Sometimes in some of our addictions and lives we didn’t really see our own desires as sinful but the consequences that eventually came did stink. It has been proven over and over in every person’s life that if we live only to satisfy our own sinful desires we will suffer the consequences.
The awesome promise here is that if we live to please the Spirit we will harvest everlasting life. Seems like such a no brainer, doesn’t it? Can we pause for a moment, step back and look at what we have been living for? What will be harvesting if we continue to serve whatever we are living for today?
In 6:9 we are encouraged to just keep doing the next right thing. “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.” (NLT)
Sometimes in the short run it seems easier to serve or do something else. After all there are others around us who seem to be playing the game and being rewarded with prosperity, fun and luck! Don’t fall for it. Keep doing what is good and living for the Spirit. Don’t quit before you can reap the harvest of the blessing! It is coming and it is eternal.
I had never noticed this line in 6:11 before and would love to have seen Paul’s handwriting here: Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. (NLT)
Galatians 6:12:…the cross of Christ alone can save.
Are we really a changed people? Who will we live for today? What other thoughts do you have from Galatians 6 today?
Tom Raines
Christian Affirmations 4 Life
this is a constant battle and a constant source of “irritation” to me tom. The old man wants to rear its ugly head and lead me down the wrong path. The Spirit calls me and says, “Follow me.” It is a daily choice.
I am with you Bill. I too many times confess with my mouth but then don’t act as if I to do believe. Yes sir, moment to moment correction to turn my heart, eyes and flesh back to the Spirit. I am “irritated” I am so weak…All the more reason we need Him! Have a great day!! I truly appreciate your sharing!
Doing the next right thing has saved me from so many mistakes and it’s made me furious and I’ve ignored it at other times…
I truly desire to hear and obey. Truly. But it’s so difficult sometimes.
For Bill it’s a daily choice, for me it’s a choice I have to make about every hour…
love to you today~
Thank you Robin. Yes it is a constant death to self. A constant fasting of our self will. I think the wonderful part of this relationship with God is that He made us and these very things that are our weaknesses are also the things that draw us to Him. As we die to ourselves we find His blessings…may we return to Him quickly at each desire…
Have a blessed day!