In Step with God
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
Today's Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26
Insight
Paul had much to teach us about the Holy Spirit’s role in the life of the believer in Jesus. The moment a person believes in Christ through faith, they receive the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:2, 14). Referred to as “the Spirit of his Son” (4:6), God sent Him to dwell in our hearts. He adopted us to become His children and empowers us to call Him “Abba, Father” (v. 6). The apostle warned that our sinful human nature continues to resist the indwelling Spirit (5:17). The key to victory is to live in the power of the Spirit. As we’re led by Him and walk and keep in step with Him, He helps us to overcome the vices of the sinful nature and live in a right relationship with God (vv. 5, 16, 18, 25). Such a Spirit-controlled life is one that pleases God as it bears the “fruit of the Spirit” (v. 22).
For further study, read: The Fruit of the Spirit
Can you imagine sprinting as hard as you can possibly run . . . without being able to see?
That’s what happens in Paralympic guide running. Blind runners compete with a guide, someone who runs alongside them step by step, connected by a short tether. American runner David Brown is among the world’s fastest blind Paralympian runners, having won a gold medal for running a 100-meter dash in under eleven seconds. Jerome Avery was Brown’s guide for much of his career. Brown described their connection this way: “We’re like one person.” Avery agreed, saying, “It should look like one person running.”
What a beautiful illustration of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Even when we’re running with all we’ve got, the Spirit stays perfectly in step with us—directing our every movement, guiding us this way and that.
In Galatians 5, Paul describes how we overcome struggles with sin: by being in sync with the Spirit’s work in us. He writes, “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (v. 16). A few verses later, he adds, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25). That, he says, would enable us to step past the “acts of the flesh” (v. 19) so we can be spiritually fruitful (vv. 22-23).
Let’s walk—and maybe even run—in step with the Spirit.
Reflect & Pray
How do you realize you’re out of step with God? In your life, what does being “in step” with the Spirit look like?
Dear Father, thank You that the Holy Spirit helps me walk closely with You. Please help me keep in step with You! For further study, read The Fruit of the Spirit at odbm.org.