DEVOTION – DAY 127

Galatians 6:8 “Living For The Lord”

 

Gal.6:8 “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction, whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

 

Every day, we are faced with decisions. The decisions we make will either cause us to reflect more of the life of Jesus in our actions and words. Or, it will cause us to reflect more of the life of a man or woman of this world – as we act, behave and talk in a worldly way. That was what Galatians 6:8 warned us. If we choose to do things that pleases our flesh, the results will cause us to go further away from God. We will find it easy to swear, to curse when we are angry or upset. We will behave selfishly. It is a destructive way of living. People will be rude and harsh in response to our anger. People will be calculative and be just as selfish because we have behaved selfishly. That was what Paul meant by the words “reaping destruction”.

But when we live a life loving and treating others as how we would like to be treated and loved, it is different. When we act for the good of others, show kindness, and be peacemakers and so on, we will find the life that Jesus Christ wants us all to live. This is the life that will stretch into eternity and one that is filled with His peace, joy and love.

I know someone who is very calculative. She is financially secured and she has a comfortable lifestyle. Yet, she is dissatisfied with what she has and she is someone who “sows to please her flesh”. Her actions and behavior will always cause her to put her own interests first over everyone else. As a result, she has few friends. She is always trying to find some fulfillment in the things she does but fulfillment seems to be out of her reach. I tried to tell her that she can find her fulfillment in a relationship with the Lord Jesus but she did not believe me. On the other hand, I know another woman who is not financially well off but she is rich in Spirit. She chooses to walk closely with the Lord Jesus so she shows love, kindness and offers help to others. Her natural warmth draws many people to seek her out and she offers a listening ear to many. She is at peace with the world and she remains contented with what God has blessed her with. These two women and the way they choose to live show the truth that is in Gal.6:8.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help us to choose to live a life that is ruled by your Spirit and not by our flesh. Help us to be loving to others, to show kindness and gentleness so that others may see Christ in us, and for your glory. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Have you ever chosen to live to please the flesh? What were the results?
  2. Have you chosen to live ruled by the Spirit? What were the results of this decision?
  3. Why is it so important for us all to live to please the Spirit? Discuss.
  4. Who do you know who are living for the flesh and how can you help them to start to live by the Spirit?  
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