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Together in Christ: 'In Step with the Spirit and Each Other' — Galatians 5:24-26 Sunday, February 4, 2024 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. — Galatians 5:24-26 NLT Key Thought Paul wants us to see our lives in Christ as a dance. In this dance, however, we never take the lead. When we take the lead, our sinful nature and our fleshly instincts take over and create all sorts of problems in our relationships. We called on Jesus as our Savior, Messiah, and Lord and, in baptism, we died to our fleshly nature. [1] Jesus poured the Holy Spirit into our lives to make us holy and for us to become a place where God lives. [2] So, Paul reminds us in our verses today, we should "follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Our verses today mention three problems that can absolutely destroy relationships but that the transforming work of the Holy Spirit can help us eliminate from our lives: Being conceited. Provoking one another. Being jealous of each other. Elsewhere, Paul and James also identify problems that the Spirit can help us overcome, [3] so let's invite the Holy Spirit to take the lead in our dance of life. Let's invite the Spirit to accomplish His transforming work on our character. We want to avoid character defects that damage our relationships and become more fully conformed to Jesus as we seek to bless others. [4] [1] Romans 6:1-14. [2] Acts 2:38-39; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-21. [3] Galatians 5:19-21; James 3:16. [4] 2 Corinthians 3:18. TODAY'S PRAYER Abba Father, thank you for Your patience and mercy in dealing with my yielding to the Spirit and His leading in my life. Every time I try to be better in my own strength, I realize that I inevitably do things that hurt people and cause me to stumble. [A] I ask that You continue the work of fully forming the fruit of the Holy Spirit's presence in my life so my relationship with others will be a blessing and draw them closer to Jesus, in Whose name I pray. Amen.

[A] Romans 7:14-25.

Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 3:18.

RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS

Romans 6:1-23

Galatians 5:1-26