“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:24).
TEXT — Galatians 5:19-26
Message
Most criminal and evil activities easily attain their crescendo during frenetic end-of-year activities. In the mad rush to make money, buy and sell, and feed the carnal lust of lost man, caution is conveniently thrown to the wind. God and His laws are wantonly set aside for riotous revelry, to celebrate the out-going year while welcoming the new.
All what mankind witnesses are festivals that are always characterised by “works of the flesh” which Apostle Paul identifies as adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, drunkenness, idolatry, revellings, murders, strife, vainglory, etc. The accompanying warning from the Lord is that those who practise them “shall not inherit the kingdom of God”.
The Apostle does not leave us without revealing what the Lord desires to make us fit for heaven. He classifies them as the “fruit of the Spirit”. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Possession of the fruit of the Spirit from the Lord will empower us to overcome the temptation to join the rat race that entraps multitudes of people during periodic feasts. We must run the race for the kingdom of God with patience and spiritual vigour.
The Lord desires nothing less from all. He is looking for sober comportment from man at all times and seasons. He does not approve of sinful behaviours and profane pleasures that destroy the body and damn the soul. God “did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17). We should reciprocate this benevolence by honouring His call to decent and holy living, made possible by His unmerited grace.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
