The title of this article brings the connotations of charismatic evangelicalism; however, every believer needs to come to the realization of how to live his or her life, in the freedom which Christ has provided; this is enacted by walking in the power of the Holy Spirit. By enacting our faith in the saving knowledge of Christ, we are faithfully walking through the Holy Spirit’s power; this is because the Holy Spirit is the One who illuminates the mind to know about Christ. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he states, “For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.” The Greek emphatic is on the “we.” For this reason, the ESV makes sure the reader understands, “we ourselves,” is doing the waiting, but the power is through the Spirit and the enacting is by faith. Therefore, walking in power, that the Holy Spirit provides, is by enacting the faith of an obedient Christ-centered life.
Galatians 5:16-25 exemplifies the first aspect of walking in such obedience. This passage relays to its readers how to live life free from the bondage of sin, with an admonitional warning. Paul contrasts two different life styles: (1) first, he examines how not to walk in the Spirit, by demonstrating the old lifestyle of gratifying the flesh; which we know grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). There is no way we can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, if we are grieving the Spirit with our actions and behavior. (2) Second, Paul portrays what it looks like to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit with nine succinct fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (5:22-24). It seems most Christians are cognizant of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and even attempt to live in gentleness, but self-control is seriously lacking.
Without self-control, our lives tend to be chaotic, suppressed, influenced by evil, and self-centered. Living in the power of the Holy Spirit is a full recognition to surrender to the Gospel of Christ; an ability to obey the Word of God in our lives and to hear what God may be saying through our circumstances, trials, and temptations. We, ourselves, through daily submission to the Holy Spirit, walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), with perseverance and strength from the Almighty God. Therefore, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit by enacting an obedient faith to Christ. Listen to the Spirit’s voice for direction, read the Word of God for guidance, and witness God’s hand in mission all around you.
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