Corporate Fast Encouragement- DAY ELEVEN
As we come to the end of the fast many different thoughts and feelings tend to come to the forefront. For those who have been fasting food there is an excitement to taste something other than liquids, for those fasting types of foods there may be excitement to eat a cookie or a piece of steak again, for those fasting media you’re probably excited to catch up on pictures of what your friends have been eating the last 12 days. We are thankful for times like this, times where we intentionally make space in our bellies and in our days to be nourished by the Holy Spirit in tangible and unique ways. But with the fast coming to an end, I’m going to invite you to another fast, but a new kind of fast.. but that will come later. First, Galatians 5!
Paul’s primary focus in his letter to the Galatians is to not be enslaved again to the law which cannot save you and cannot produce true love of God and neighbour in you. You cannot bear the fruit of the Spirit through the “arm of the flesh” or your own good works. You can’t fast, sacrifice or circumcise yourself into the kingdom. It’s only by GRACE that we have been grafted into the true tree, the tree of life, which is Christ himself—and the fruit of the Spirit is HIS fruit alone! When we make it about ourself and our efforts, we become enslaved again.. Let’s look at a quick outline of Galatians 5.
Vs. 1: Don’t be entangled again to a yoke of bondage (speaking of the law)
Vs. 4: To try and be justified by the law is to fall from grace
Vs. 6: The whole point is faith (grafted into Christ) working through love (serving others)
Vs. 9: Religious law keeping for self-justification spreads and “leavens the whole lump”
Vs. 13: You are called to freedom, but it’s a freedom to lay your life down for others, not serve yourself
Vs. 14: The whole law is fulfilled in this, “Love your neighbour as yourself”
Vs. 16: So walk in the Spirit not in the flesh.
The flesh is not our mortal bodies, but a term Paul uses to describe the evil desires of self-justification and self-gratification that are carried out in our mortal bodies.
“Walk in the Spirit” is a contrasting term used to define a person that is in Christ, partnering with the desires of the Spirit which is other-centred, self-giving love.
Vs. 19: The works of the flesh are evident and those who live that way cannot begin to understand or experience the joy of the Kingdom.
Vs. 22: There is no law, no legal limit, or toxic level of love / joy / peace / patience / kindness / goodness / gentleness / faithfulness / self-control
Vs. 24: Those “who are Christ’s” will bear the fruit of His Spirit, because that old way of self-justification and self-gratification has been co-crucified with Christ.
Vs. 25: You are living IN the Spirit, so start walking IN the Spirit (act like it!)
We are funny creatures, lured often into making this life about ourselves and what we feel we should be getting out of this world and from others. Tempted to idol making and tribalism based on our vast knowledge of the bible, theology or christian practices. We’re enticed to measure others to ourselves and when we’re better we feel justified in looking down (“no one prays as much as I do”), or if we feel worse than them we envy them or feel judged by them (“I could never be like them”). The revelation and experience of being immersed in the Holy Spirit is our safeguard against such foolishness. The practice of meditating on and enjoying your baptism in the Holy Spirit afresh daily is the most essential practice you can carry out of this fast. It’s what will keep you fruitful, and keep you IN LOVE.
The problem with viewing Spirit Baptism from a separation mindset is that we get soaked once in a while or at conferences… I’ve got a new fast for you, fast “drying off”! Baptism in the Spirit is not an event, it’s a way of life. So, “if we live IN the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” AMEN.
Pray this with me today. “Holy Spirit, thank you that you’re in me and I’m in you. Today I ask for a fresh encounter with you IN me, and me IN you. Drench me from the inside with power and grace to walk IN your Spirit today, bearing fruit of every kind, loving everyone as you love them.