The verse for October 12, 2016, is a hard hitting one.  This is clearly a strong admonition by Paul to the Galatians.  There is no mincing of words.  Paul’s message is an “in your face” command.

Who among us has not been tempted by something?  While Paul specifically focuses on temptations of the flesh I believe he was referring to all temptations, to a sinful way of life lived independently of God.  His strong indictment of anyone who strays into the enticing world “of the flesh” minces no words.  As I said, It is not advice, it is a command.  If we are to live in freedom we cannot live a sinful, degenerate life.  The premise of Galatians, as I understand it, was to argue that justification comes to people who have faith in Jesus Christ.  In other words, our key focus is not effort but surrender—to live moment by moment submissively trusting in the Lord rather than in self. Paul says this is what it means to “walk by the Spirit.”

The Responsorial Psalm complements Paul’s message nicely.  “Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked nor walks in the way of sinners…..but delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night.”

While there are no instructions as to how to accomplish this, the message is clear.  Don’t do it!  Don’t be tempted by the flesh (e.g. sin)!

Romans 12:9 (KJV) reiterates this.  “Let love be without dissimulation.  Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

Galatians 5:13 sums it up nicely.  “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”

So, I leave us with this.  Do we find ourselves living according to the flesh or “the compulsions of selfishness”? Too often we lose ourselves at the extremes, ending in a legalistic attempt to earn our salvation or a flippant attitude about our sin.  Thankfully, God knows our weakness, and He also knows the remedy! Galatians says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”.  The only way to gain self-control is by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us.   God is concerned more with our surrender than with our ability.