Cross Walk

In his letter to the churches of Galatia Paul addresses the problem of legalism -- of getting right with God by our effort. He calls it "a different gospel" which is not another gospel (Gal 1:6-7). He asks them, "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Gal 3:3). No, of course not. Having begun by the Spirit, we will be perfected by the Spirit. So he says, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Gal 5:16) and "If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit" (Gal 5:25).

Interesting, isn't it? He says we're not under law and we aren't saved by works but are saved by the Spirit and, walking by the Spirit, will not gratify the desires of the flesh. "Wait a minute, Paul, didn't you just say we aren't saved by works?" Yes, indeed. But walking by the Spirt produces good works. In fact, these good works are a direct product of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). These internal changes produce external results. If we live by the Spirit, we will keep in step with the Spirit.

How does that work? Paul said it earlier. "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal 2:20). He says it again in the 5th chapter. As a function of the fruit of the Spirit, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Gal 5:24). The Christian walk, then, is a walk with the Spirit. That walk is what produces those things that we think of as Christian virtues. And that walk is accomplished by putting self to death, by identifying with Christ on the cross. A cross-walk, as it were.