Lesson # 6 “Walking Together in Christian Love”
Walking in the Flesh
To “walk” means to live or continue in a habitual lifestyle. The word “flesh” denotes the sinful or earthly nature of mankind. Walking after the flesh is contrary to the will of God, and it leads the believer to sinful behavior. This sinful behavior undermines our testimonies to others and further weakens the Christian community. There are two natures in Christians that are always warring against each other -- the flesh and the Spirit. As Christians, our fleshly nature has been crucified with Christ and no longer has dominion over us. Christ was the atonement for sins, and we have been delivered from the penalty and power of sin. However, Satan is relentless and attempts to hinder our spiritual growth; so we must be aware of his tactics and try to avoid the contentious behaviors that result from yielding to the flesh. Anyone that is not striving to walk in Christian love by the power of the Holy Spirit can fall prey.
Walking Together in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and brings us to repentance. It is the Holy Spirit that indwells us and gives us power to yield to the will of God. It is a day-by-day surrendering that must take place that allows us to be obedient. The Holy Spirit works in us to make God’s purpose and plan for the body of Christ clear. He instructs the body of Christ through the study of God’s Word. As we yield to the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, we have confidence as we launch out to do kingdom work and kingdom building. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s will to us. As we work out our soul’s salvation, it is the Spirit who breaks down the old barriers and transforms us so we can walk together.
Walking Together in Christian Love
Since the Holy Spirit indwells us, we have the power to walk together in love. Walking in Christian love should be our habitual lifestyle and what drives all of our actions, speech, and thoughts toward one another. Paul tell us to be imitators of God as dear children and to walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us [Ephesians 5:1-2]. By the enablement of the Holy Spirit, we are able to put away the works of the flesh. Through love, we can serve one another and love our neighbors as ourselves. Through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, we are to walk together in love. We are to uplift each other, encourage one another, and strengthen and support one another. Our walk, our way of conduct, actions, and speech should look different from the world’s walk, conduct, actions, and speech.
