In our Christian walk, the Holy Spirit actively accompanies us, skillfully navigating the intricate balance between legalism and permissiveness, guilt and condemnation versus unchecked freedom. It steers us away from extremes like excessive asceticism and hedonism, rigid dogmatism, and relativism. The Spirit encourages a path that avoids constant repentance without accountability.
The Holy Spirit serves as a great guide in the process of understanding the genuine teachings and principles that are crucial in discerning truth from falsehood on our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit helps us navigate through the intricacies of faith and authenticity.
Have you observed how some believers tend to swing between rigid legalism, drowning in strict rules and a joyless faith, and the opposite extreme of unchecked freedom, careening towards a disregard for moral boundaries? This swing can seriously stunt our spiritual growth, leaving us wrestling with feelings of unworthiness. So, how do we find our footing? It’s all about striking that sweet spot—the balance between responsibility and grace.
Concerning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, the Bible highlights that the successful completion of the task is not achieved through human strength or might but by the divine intervention of the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). In like manner, Paul warned the Galatians that yielding to the spirit 100% is required for success in the spiritual walk with God. in Galatians 5:16. Paul encourages believers to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” This highlights the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength in living a life aligned with God’s principles.
Faith, for us, is not a passive belief; it’s a proactive alignment with God’s Word. It’s about trusting in His promises and committing ourselves to them. God’s unwavering faithfulness, reflected in His unchanging Word (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 89:34), becomes our source of strength. Without faith, we simply cannot please God, and trusting His Word becomes paramount.
God’s limit is His own word, and He remains faithful to what He has promised. As stated in numerous biblical passages, God’s word is unchanging, and He does not break His promises (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 89:34). Imagine the parents passionately cheering and encouraging their children during a school game; it is like God’s supportive role in our lives. God, like a cheering parent, guides and signals the way to success as we navigate the challenges of life. The assurance of His presence and support becomes a source of strength, akin to having a supportive team behind us. Without faith, no one can please God. God has already provided the end result. All we need to do is trust His word.
Paul expressed that through faith in Christ, believers are set free from the bondage of sin and its consequences. In Romans 8:2, the Apostle Paul refers to the “law of the Spirit,” the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. It’s contrasted with the “law of sin and death.” Essentially, Paul is expressing that through faith in Christ, believers are set free from the bondage of sin and its consequences.
By living in accordance with the Spirit, Christians can experience a mindset focused on spiritual matters rather than being burdened by a constant awareness of sin. This involves relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, cultivating a deep relationship with God, and allowing His transformative work to shape one’s thoughts and actions. It’s a shift from a legalistic approach to a grace-filled life empowered by the Spirit.
Mastering the truth and authenticity equips individuals to recognise and discern falsehood. I told you the story of how Sam was trained to detect fake money while he was an apothecary in the bank. It wasn’t by showing them counterfeits. Of course, there are many to learn about. Instead, he was taught to master the original money so well that if he sees a counterfeit, he will know.
Faith is the action we take to align ourselves with the Word, committing to God’s promises and trusting that He will fulfil His part. It involves a proactive response to God’s truth and a confident reliance on His faithfulness.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk