LIVING FOR GOD, IN THE FALLEN WORLD

Living for God is no easy task. It is fraught with pits and potholes, they are intended to trip us. The tripwire is not outside of us, but rather, it is from the inside.
– “17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” – Galatians 5:17

The desire to live for God is present, but the effort to live for God, the strength required for it, if it comes from our natural man, we will certainly fail. Flesh, or natural man, or carnal man, cannot and will not help us, to live for God. It is the LORD who has to enable us, and strengthen us; only then can we live a godly life. The Berean Study Bible Notes, commenting on “so that you do not do what you want” from Galatians 5:17 observes that…
– “so that you do not do what you want – This phrase reflects the tension between the believer’s desires and the reality of living in a fallen world. Even with the indwelling Spirit, believers experience moments of failure and sin, as the flesh can sometimes overpower the Spirit’s influence. This struggle is echoed in Romans 7:15-20, where Paul expresses his frustration with doing what he hates instead of what he desires to do. However, this tension also serves as a reminder of the need for grace and the importance of continual reliance on Christ’s strength, as stated in Philippians 4:13. The ultimate victory over the flesh is assured through Christ, as believers are promised transformation and glorification in the life to come, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:50-57.”

So how do we strike out the effects of our flesh, which is part of us, and walk victoriously for our God, which we so sincerely desire? The answer lies is whom we seek our help from. If we seek God for help, and depend upon Him; then, we will walk victoriously. If we depend on our own resources, full of a sincere desire, to live for God; then, we will certainly fail. This is how it works.
– “16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16
– “5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” – Romans 8:5-6

We are called to walk by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is given to us, as a Guarantor, to all the promises made by God, in this covenantal relationship, made possible, in and through the redeeming sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ, on the Cross of Calvary. To walk in the power of the Spirit, as in Galatians 5:16, is possible, when we learn to lean upon God, to live a godly life.
– “walk by the Spirit [Galatians 5:16] – “Walk” implies a continuous, active lifestyle or conduct. The “Spirit” refers to the Holy Spirit, who is given to believers as a guide and helper. This phrase suggests a daily, moment-by-moment reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. It contrasts with walking according to the law or human effort. The concept of walking by the Spirit is echoed in other scriptures, such as Romans 8:4, which speaks of living according to the Spirit.” – Berean Study Bible Notes

It is true that we are still in the flesh, and the possibility for us to stumble, and fall into sin, always exists. This need not distract us, nor should it discourage us. Rather, we ought to learn to look to God, and lean upon Him, to draw our strength for the rigours of a godly life. When we walk in the power of the Spirit of God, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
– “13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:13
– “​1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:1-2

The process that we are going through is, the process called, SANCTIFICATION. It simply means, We are SAVED from the PUNISHMENT of sin; We are BEING SAVED from the POWER of sin; We WILL BE SAVED from the PRESENCE of sin. Till the final act, we should learn to trust God, and walk in the power of His Spirit. Even so, the LORD help us.