Verse of the Day 4/1

 

Galatians 5:25   If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Some translations for today's verse say "walk by the Spirit".  The verb translated as "walk" literally does mean "keep in step with" as in a military march, walking along with  others in step following our leader Jesus Christ.

 

The passage shows this concept as bookends, beginning and ending with this living and walking by the Spirit.  The passage is probably better know for the fruit of the Spirit in verse 22 " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control;" it is a result of living by the Spirit in step with the Spirit.  The two concepts go hand in hand, step by step with each other.

 

One of my favorite Bible verses is Matthew 7:7 where we are told to "ask, seek, and knock".  It is to be noted that the verbs here are in the perfect tense indicating continuing action, some more modern translations say "keep seeking, keep asking, and keep knocking."  John MacArthur notes that the form of this verb walk in today's verse also "indicates continuous action, or a habitual lifestyle.  Walking also implies progress; as a believer submit's to the Spirit's control - that is responds in obedience to the simple commands of Scripture - he grows in his spiritual life."

 

Are you looking, hoping, praying for a productive day?  Let the Spirit lead you, keep in step, "work out the implications" (The Message) and may He keep producing in us the "fruit of the Spirit."

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Galatians 5:25-26

The Message (MSG)

^25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.