Out With The Old

It is said that if you want to get rid of an old habit, you should replace it with a new one.  That’s pretty much what Paul is telling us to do in Galatians 5.  To wrap up this week’s study, we’re going to look back at the passages in Galatians and bring it all together. 

Points to Ponder

Review the works of the flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit that Paul describes in Galatians 5. For each work of the flesh, select the Spiritual fruit that can be used to overcome.

Something to Think About

God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. There is no temptation for which he has not provided a way of escape. We would do well to commit to memory these 9 spiritual blessings so that when we are tempted by the flesh, we can turn to the Spirit trusting Him to show us the way which we should go.

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

Crucify, Live, Walk

Over the past few days we have looked at the works of the flesh. We have learned that the works of the flesh bring death and that the Spirit brings life. So now the question becomes, how do we get from flesh to Spirit? The answer is likely not what you will want to hear, it may even shock you. The process begins with death.

Points to Ponder

• I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Galatians 2:20)
• Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25)
• Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. (Romans 6:8)
• For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)
• But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16)

Something to Think About

Aren’t you glad God made a way for us to cross from death to life? Because of what Jesus has done, we have the promise of a new life, the hope of a victorious life on earth and the certainty of eternity with Him. Give Him praise!

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

But…

Isn’t it wonderful when we study God’s word and realize that God never leaves us without hope.  Just when we think we’re doomed, God always gives us a way out.  That’s why for those of us who are in Christ “but” can be one the most welcomed word in all of scripture.

Points to Ponder

• Man is foolish in his flesh but God chose us in Christ to give us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
• The things of God are foolish to the natural man
• Godly wisdom is revealed only by the Holy Spirit.
• But, we who are in Christ have the mind of Christ.

Something to Think About

The enemy is constantly at work trying to make us believe that we are unworthy, unredeemable, and undeserving. As “proof” he points us to our sins and failures. He knows if he can convince us of the lies he will bring division in our communion with The Lord. Ephesians 6:13-17 tells us how we can stand victorious against the lies of Satan. We do well to familiarize ourselves with these weapons of war that God has provided.

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

The Fruit of Your Labor

As we discussed yesterday, our perpetuation of sin is work. The Bible teaches that our labor always produces fruit. That’s what I want us to consider today.

Points to Ponder

• The key to bearing much good fruit is to stay connected to the Vine.
• A bad tree cannot produce good fruit.
• Jesus had much to say about bearing fruit. See Luke 13:6-9; Luke 8:4-8, 11-15; Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:3-20.
• In his letter to the Romans, Paul tells us clearly what kind of crop we can expect from the works of the flesh. (Romans 7:5; Romans 8:6).

Something To Think About

How are you making sure you stay connected to the Vine? Take some time to consider, are your works producing a greater abundance of good fruit or bad fruit?

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

Sin At Work

Christians, hear a lot about “works”. We most often relate works to our efforts to do the right things, good things, positive things. I doubt few of us have ever given much thought to the fact that our works can be a negative, even dark ambition.

As you look closely at Galatians 5, are you surprised to learn that our sin nature isn’t some passive thing against which we struggle, it is something we perpetuate through our own deliberate acts. Sin is something we work at.

Points to Ponder

• The Greek word for works in verse 19 is ergon. Thayer defines it as “business, employment, that which any one is occupied. That which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking”.
• Paul gives us fifteen specific works of the flesh
  • Immortality
  • Impurity
  • Sensuality
  • Idolatry
  • Sorcery
  • Enmities
  • Strife
  • Jealousy
  • Outbursts of anger
  • Disputes
  • Dissensions
  • Factions
  • Envying
  • Drunkenness
  • Carousing
• What does he warn us about if we practice of such things?
• Are there any of the works of the flesh Paul lists that you specifically struggle with?

Something to Think About

When we set out to do a job, we make a conscious decision, a determination if you will, to what our mind has conceived to do. Have you ever considered that your sinful nature works the same way?

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

The Process of Transformation

Do you use to-do lists? There are many people who find a great sense of satisfaction from writing things down on a piece of paper and then marking them off one by one. Without the list, many of us come to end of the day and focus on what didn’t get done rather than what was accomplished.

Points to Ponder

• How are we able to “run the race” with endurance?
• How can we avoid growing weary in our efforts?
• What three things are we told to pursue? (verses 14-15)
• What are some situations that can cause you miss your spiritual goals?

Something to Think About

We often begin the day with a mental list of how we want to do better. But, when we come to the end of our day we look back and all we see are our mistakes and failures. So as not to get discouraged we must remind ourselves that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He began the good work in us and He will be faithful to complete it.

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

Who Can be Righteous?

In my daughters Sunday school class she was discussing with the children how we become righteous. One of her students raised his hand and answered “by what we do”. She was so disappointed. She is constantly trying to drill into them that righteousness is of God, not of our own efforts. Why, she asked, can’t the kids get it?

Points to Ponder

• We can never be justified by the law
• The law was given to lead us to Christ
• Our righteousness comes through faith
• Isaiah tells us that our own righteousness is like filthy rags (64:6)

Something to Think About

Are you, like the little boy in my daughter’s Sunday School class prone to think that righteousness is the result of being good and doing good? Ask yourself “how good is good enough to please a perfectly holy God”?

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

Can god forgive even me?

Have you ever tried to tell someone about the forgiveness of Jesus only to hear “but you don’t know what I’ve done.”  It seems as if they are clinging to their guilt as if it were some sort of security blanket. 

“If God has forgiven me, why do I still feel guilty”? This is a question I have heard so many times, one I have asked myself on more than one occasion.

Points to Ponder

What are some things that the enemy uses against us, to keep us from fellowship with our Lord?

• Feelings. Shame, fear, denial. These feelings tend to overcome us on the heels of a sinful act. They keep us from God. Until we turn to God and repent, we can not know the peace of forgiveness.

• Un-confessed sin. Ask yourself, am I holding on to some bitterness, anger, or other wrong thoughts? Is there some past sin that I have closed the door on because I didn’t want to face it? God wants us to be free from all our sins. If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us, but note, the first step to His forgiveness is our confession.

 • Bitterness from past hurts.  Is there an issue you have failed to deal with because it was just too painful?  Get rid of it!  The Lord says if we want to be forgiven, we must first forgive.  Holding on to such things only gives ammunition to the enemy and keeps us from the peace that we are so desperately seeking.  

Something to Think About

It should come as no surprise that our old enemy Satan is working overtime to keep us mired down in our sin. The longer he can keep us from God’s presence, the deeper he can take us into a sense of despair. He convinces us that we are unworthy and the more unworthy we feel, the farther we move away from our Father. We get out of relationship with God and feelings of guilt grow stronger. It is a viscous cycle.

What can you do to break the cycle?

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

Living Life by the Book

I remember when my Daddy bought our first set of encyclopedia. The year was 1959, the encyclopedia a twelve volume set of Compton’s. Daddy was so proud, he read them as if they were the newest novel. Owning this priceless set of books took the arguments that were so common in our household to a whole new level. Whenever there was a dispute about anything, we knew we would soon hear “get the book”! The book was the authority and whatever it said pretty much settled it. The tradition continued throughout my Father’s life. Even though the world wide web was at his fingertips, it was his beloved encyclopedia that was the final word on any subject.

Every day we make thousands of decisions. Most of them are a natural part of our daily routine and we aren’t even aware that a decision has been made. But then, there are those situations that come along that aren’t so routine: Am I going to tell my boss about the mistake I made, or try to hide it? The clerk gave me too much change, give it back or put it in my pocket? I betrayed my best friend’s trust, confess and ask forgiveness, or just hope she doesn’t find out. A coworker is flirting with me, smile and enjoy the attention, or ask him to stop.

These are the kinds of decisions that may seem irrelevant at the time but have the potential to change the course of our lives. Where do we go for advice? Some of us will look to Oprah or Dr. Phil for advice. After all, we tell ourselves, they have a finger on the pulse of the world, they are the experts. Others of us might call a friend, someone we can always trust to give us “sound” advice based on past experience and personal opinion.

Points to Ponder

• Making right choices requires
  • That we trust in God’s word and not our own understanding
  • Acknowledge God
  • Turn from evil
  • Keep sound wisdom

Something to Think About

If we are serious about making right choices in this world gone wrong, we have to turn to the only authority that matters. We have to get The Book!

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith

When You’re Afraid Of The Dark, Turn On The Light.

When my grandson was about two years old, he suddenly developed a fear of the dark. Each night his Mom and Dad would hear his prayers, tuck him in to bed, and turn off the light in his room. They would barely get the door closed before his screams began – it was a heart wrenching thing to think of this precious child being so afraid. I bought him a little flashlight to keep under his pillow and told him when he was afraid, all he had to do is reach under his pillow and turn on the light.

Points to Ponder

• Jesus is:
  • The Light of men
  • The Light of the world
  • The Light that destroys the darkness
  • The True Light
  • Enlightenment to mankind

There is a lot of darkness in the world and it seems to grow darker day by day. But if you belong to Christ, the darkness has no power over you; you can rest in the knowledge that Jesus has defeated the darkness.

Something to Think About

I know some grown up people who are afraid of the dark, the dark is a scary place to be. But listen, we don’t have to be in darkness. When the darkness tries to overtake us, when it seems to press in on us from every side, all we have to do is reach out and turn on the Light.

© 2012 Sandra Bivens Smith