Stand Fast in Your Spiritual Walk

Did you work more than 40 hours this week? Did you have less than three evenings at home this past week, with nothing to do?

Do you ever feel like you are living in the fast lane? Do you ever feel like you are in a rat-race every day? Do you feel like you are racing in the “5:00 500” every day? The country music group Alabama has a song by that title: Five O’Clock 500. Listen to the first verse and chorus of that song:

Just punched the clock and boy, am I ready?
Walkin’ out the door headin’ home
It’s time to buckle up again in my rolling hunk of tin
It’s quittin’ time the evenin’ race is on

It’s that five o’clock 500 and I run it every day
Pick up trucks, cars and buses all in my way
We’ve got Darrel, we’ve got Dale, Richard, Mark, Rusty and Jeff
Oh, the boss just dropped the green we’re on our way
It’s that five o’clock 500 every day.

As you live a fast-paced life in 21st century American, the “5:00 500” lifestyle, let us be reminded that God calls us to slow down, in fact, to walk our spiritual walk in faithfulness and in maturity.

The verb “stand” is found one time in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, in 5:1: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free” (NKJV). The verb translated “stand fast” is translated by the ESV and the NASV as “stand firm.” So, the verb means “to be steadfast” (BAGD, 768), to be resolute, firm, and unwavering.

In Galatians 5:16-18, Paul writes: “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”

However, erectile dysfunction is the most common form get more viagra no prescription and denotes to an inability of keeping or attaining healthy erections in the bed. Epilepsy drugs: Common drugs such as carbamazepine and valproate, used to treat epilepsy can get viagra prescription secretworldchronicle.com affect the sperm count, as well as to regulate brain sensitivity to stimuli. Linked to heart disease The causes of erectile dysfunction: Kidney disease Gum diseases Prescription painkillers Stress, depression or tension Chronic sleeping problems Increase is age after 40 years * Recreational medication * Cardiovascular problems * High blood sugar level * cialis no rx High blood pressure, high cholesterol* Diabetes, obesity* Arteriosclerosis These symptoms are directly related to blood regulation as well as blood vein from the region to get launched. A few knew that the generic prescription viagra without indications of ocular psoriasis may be addressed with the ocular application of Psoriasis-Ltd. THE INDICATIVES (FACTS) OF THE WALK:
Keeping our minds focused on Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we learn a few reasons why we should stand fast in our spiritual walk.

First, Christ gave Himself for us – 1:4.
Second, Christ lives in us – 2:20.
Third, we have been crucified to the world with Christ – 5:24.
Fourth, why we need to stand fast in our spiritual walk with Christ is because Christ is the seed of Abraham who will bless all the nations – 3:8-9.

THE IMPERATIVES (COMMANDS) OF THE WALK:
There are 22 commands in this letter; most are concentrated in chapters 5 & 6. We’ll just point out a few…

First, don’t desert Christ – 1:6ff.
Second, strive to please Christ – 1:10.
Third, wait for the hope of righteousness that will be ours in a state of perfection when Jesus comes again – 5:5.
Fourth, do not turn your freedom into a license to fulfill the desires of the flesh – 5:13, 16, 19-21.
Fifth, serve one another through love – 5:13, 22-23.
Sixth, sow a Spirit-focused life – 6:8.

You might live a “5:00 500” type of life in 21st century America but the Christian life is a walk with the Spirit, guided by the Spirit, persistently, consistently, focused, and determined. You can be in a righteous state if you are firmly attached to Christ and walk according to His Spirit.

–Paul Holland

This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.