Walking in the Spirit: Faith, Hope, Love

 "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness
by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision
avails anything, but faith working through love." (Galatians 5:5-6 NKJV)

    Last week we looked at the first mention of the vital trio: faith, hope, and love. Let's take some time to look at the next mention (as seen above) found in Galatians 5:5-6.

    It is beneficial to this study that you take the time to read the whole of Galatians 5 as the command to "walk in the Spirit" has as much to do with the beginning of the chapter as it does with the end of the chapter.

    Christians, those who follow Christ (1 John 2:6), are to "walk in the Spirit" so that "you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). It is only when we are so walking by faith - trusting God and His way - that we can eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness!

    What is this 'hope of righteousness' that we can eagerly wait for? 

    It is the confidence and assurance of God's promised eternity with Him if we diligently seek to do what He has declared to be right (righteous).

    The apostle Paul was writing to the Galatian brethren who were struggling with their faith (under the New Covenant) because they were being told by others that they needed to become like Jews and keep the Jewish laws (Law of Moses, Old Covenant, see 1:6-10 and chapters 2-4).

    Paul declares to them that in Christ Jesus (the body of the Christ, the church, Ephesians 1:22-23), being circumcised in the flesh (Jewish custom from OT Law) or uncircumcised (often used to denote a Gentile, anyone from outside) doesn't matter; what now matters is faith working through love. 

    We, as Christians, have conviction that there are certain things that are proper for a Christian to do and we do these because we love God first and foremost, and because we love mankind and our fellow brethren. We honour God through obedience and exhibit a good example to those who may observe us (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16, Matthew 5:14-16). 

    Faith leads us to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26). The fruit of the Spirit is developed in us when our faith works through love. When we have faith working through love we will diligently seek God and do what God has commanded us to do (and avoid what He has told us to avoid) and we can build confident hope/assurance that we are right and pleasing in His sight!

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, 
for he who comes to God must believe that He is, 
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
(Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)  

    Are you flourishing in faith, walking every day in the Spirit, because you love God and those around you?  Do you have hope and confidence because you are doing what God has declared to be righteous? If you do, then keep going, keep doing His what He has commanded - live in faith with love and hope!! It is worth every effort to do just that!!

You can do it! So can I!!