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What Does It Mean to Walk in the Spirit?

Dec 26 2023
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What Does It Mean to Walk in the Spirit?
by: Margaret Elizabeth Köstenberger

Life in the New Covenant

Galatians is probably Paul’s first epistle, sent to instruct the young church about basic doctrine and practice to be lived out differently now according to the new covenant. Serious adjustments were required of these new believers. The arrival of the Spirit entailed a new way of relating to God. Their previous way of life in the old-covenant era was no longer the norm, and believers faced opposition and misinformation regarding their new freedom in Christ. Paul, a converted Jew himself who had previously opposed Christianity, fully understood this contested yet basic truth: salvation is, and of necessity must be, a free gift given in Christ to be received by faith. As a result, Paul pointed to the law’s limitations and its temporary function. Not that he considered the law itself to be deficient, but the misguided agitators in Galatia—the so-called Judaizers—who advocated continued dependence on Torah (law) observance for righteous living needed resolute correction.In Galatians, Paul addresses believers’ ongoing relationship with God and the sustenance of spiritual life in their relationship with God. In the new covenant, this relationship is sustained by the Spirit and no longer through animal sacrifices or law observance such as Sabbath-keeping, food laws, or circumcision. Prior to their new life in Christ, New Testament believers had not experienced the continual indwelling of the Spirit. It was at Pentecost that the Spirit came upon the first believers and the church was born (Acts 2). At this early stage in the history of Christianity, it is vital for believers to understand that the work of the Spirit in the life of born-again New Testament Christians is commensurate with the righteousness that is and has always been demanded by God. Thus life in Christ is to be lived according to the Spirit, not by observing mere external stipulations.Read More – Go to SourceThis article is adapted from Sanctification as Set Apart and Growing in Christ by Margaret Elizabeth Köstenberger.Need a prayer? Prayer RequestsPlease subscribe to our main Ministries daily scripture study – Koa Sinag MinistriesHave a Testimony of how God has changed or intervened in your life? Tell us your story! Give God Praise!Need some inspiration? Check out others Testimonies!Have you checked out our online store? We have a tonne of fascinating and colourful PDF books, toys, kids’ apparel, and much more, including complimentary PDFs for home schoolers!
Marny Köstenberger (ThD, University of South Africa) is a teacher and women’s consultant, the author of Jesus and the Feminists, and the coauthor of God’s Design for Man and Woman and Parenting Essentials. She previously served as director of women’s programs and mentoring, and professor of theology and women’s ministry at various churches and seminaries. Marny and her husband, Andreas, live in North Carolina.
Go to Source Author: Margaret Elizabeth KöstenbergerThe post What Does It Mean to Walk in the Spirit? first appeared on Koa Sinag.

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