Week 9: Walk in the Spirit

As I researched this week's passage in Galatians, one phrase in a Bible commentary jumped out at me: "In all of the New Testament, there is perhaps not a more difficult passage to interpret." (BibleGateway.com)

That being said, I'm going to offer simple conclusions/applications from Galatians 4:21-31. I'm all about keeping it simple! :) I gathered these applications together from Bible Gateway.

• Paul's descriptions of Hagar and Sarah emphasize the identification of believers in Christ: "Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman." ~Galatians 4:31
• The children of the free woman (Sarah), who were born by the power of the Spirit (v. 29) must learn to express their freedom by walking in the Spirit. They must not submit to slavery under the law or gratify the desires of the flesh.
• Identity is the basis of behavior: a clear understanding of who we are in Christ guides our conduct in the Spirit.

How do I apply this to my life? Well, here's what God's teaching me this week. I hope you don't mind a personal testimony!

My 7 year old son (Aaron) is battling a form of epilepsy. We're trying to manage it with medications, but so far have not found anything that works. I've lost track of how many different dosage changes he's endured in our quest to find the right one for him. Throughout this process, my flesh is filled with worry and fear. These medicines are powerful and potentially damaging to his liver, among other nasty side effects. Living with uncontrolled epilepsy makes normal, everyday activities potentially dangerous: bike riding, swimming, etc. I wake up every morning with a choice: am I going to walk in the Spirit and let God guide my conduct as I submit my fears and release my son's life to Christ? Or am I going to let fear and anxiety rule my heart?

I'm learning it's not a once-and-for-all decision. It's day by day and moment by moment. (1Thessalonians 5:17) I can tell when I'm living in fear and not walking in the Spirit. I parent my kids differently. I might favor Aaron over his brothers. I over-analyze Aaron's health and google his symptoms until my eyes cross. When I'm walking in the Spirit, I'm not held captive by that behavior. When it comes down to it, do I want to live in slavery to fear, or in freedom through Christ? Living in freedom doesn't mean giving up the pursuit of Aaron's healing through medical care. But it does mean that I put my trust and faith in God when everything in my flesh is crying out in fear. I choose freedom through Christ.

This is my personal battle right now. I'm sure all of you reading this have your own struggles and challenges which bring you to the same decision I face every day: Will we choose to walk in the Spirit and let Christ guide our conduct? Or will we choose to live in slavery to the things that hold us captive? From one sister in Christ to another, I challenge you to choose freedom through Christ! Let's live like children of the free woman!
Sarah Luke