The BIG Picture (Q&A)

Do you really understand what it means to 'walk in the Spirit'? Is the concept of walking in the Spirit clear and meaningful, or is it vague and elusive? I'd like to write this short article to either confirm or clarify this topic for you. I trust it will bless you. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit , and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. One can draw from many of Paul's passages to learn about spiritual living, but Romans.14 is one of my favourites, and the chapter that really opened my eyes to what it means to walk in the Spirit. Let's look at some focused verses [with my own added commentary] from this chapter to bring you to a simple, yet clear understanding. For some context, please note that Paul is writing regarding eating meat offered to idols. This was a contentious issue in the early church because the church at Rome was made up of both Jew and Gentile converts. The Jews were still mindful of Jewish laws while the Roman converts ...

As seen by the verses quoted below, Paul uses the phrase, "redeeming the time" in a few instances within his epistles. What does this expression mean, and how do we apply this advice into our daily walk. Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without [ie: in your interactions with non-believers] , redeeming the time . Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time , because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. The word rendered here as "redeeming" , means to "to buy up" or "buy back" . In the context of the above verses we can understand it as,  to rescue or recover our time from waste; to improve it for better, or for more noble purposes. When I was younger, I struggled with the concept of 'walk in the Spirit' (Galatians 5:16). I'd get out of bed in the morning saying, "Now remember, Stay in the spir...

What is it to "live by Christ within" ? Another way that this truth can be phrased is "to walk in the Spirit" . What does this really mean? Is it something I must do, or strive for, or is it something I surrender to and let the Holy Spirit control? Let's have a look at what the Bible tells us it is. Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith ; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." From faith to faith simply means this; The same faith that was present when you got saved, is the faith that you live by day to day. To live by Christ within is to allow that faith to flow spontaneously out of you and produce the good fruits of the Spirit, Gal.5:22-23.   For example: (from faith)   Likewise, (to faith)  You heard the Gospel  Your heart was convicted by gospel truth  You chose to believe in the cross-work of Christ  You hear the Spirit (a witness, peace, desire)  Your heart i...