Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25 NIV
Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches is an argument against legalism. He argues that keeping the Old Testament Law, or any rule-based approach, is not required to obtain or maintain our salvation. Instead, salvation is a matter of faith from beginning to end.
The conclusion that some might draw from that is that I can then do anything I want. There are no rules for living as a believer. And Paul just as forcefully argues against this position, telling us not to use our freedom from the Law to indulge the flesh (Gal. 5:13).
Instead of having either a rules-based or anything-goes approach to living as a believer, Paul gives us a third, preferable approach. To crucify the flesh and live by the Spirit. To do, not what I want to do, but what the Holy Spirit leads me to do.
The Spirit will never lead me to act in a way that is contrary to the Scripture, including the Old Testament Law. But there is a fundamental difference between walking by the Spirit and following the Law. To walk by the Spirit is to follow where he leads, living in obedience to his voice. And, when I do, the Spirit transforms my life, producing his fruit within me. But when I follow the rules-based approach, it is me trying to remodel my life. An approach that is doomed to failure.
The way to live a holy life pleasing to God is not by following a set of rules, no matter how good they might be. It is by keeping in step with the Spirit, seeking and following his direction rather than my desires.
