Let Us Live To Make Men Free
Let Us Live To Make Men Free
by
Bryan Craig
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24 ESV
I doubt I’m alone in the troubling thoughts I have been having as I look at our country and this world. So much darkness, so much division, so much anger and hatred…I feel the grief of the Holy Spirit. I even see Christians divided over political ideology or over judgments about our leaders and policies. First of all, I feel the need to say that our Enemy is NOT across political aisles, or even across oceans! For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV We Christians have a common enemy. It is the one called the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2), “the accuser of our brothers” (Rev 12:10), “the father of lies” (John 8:44), the devil is his name. And Rev 12:12 says, “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” He is the one who sows evil, and he does so through our sinful flesh. This is why it is easy to confuse our enemy as being mankind. So many are not living for God but living in their flesh and Galatians 5 explains the fruit of our flesh: Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do (or make a practice of) such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 We have all seen these fruits in this world, in ourselves and in others. We are seeing them now in the darkness I mentioned earlier. It is the works of the flesh that are dividing us and confusing us and polluting us. BUT as believers in Jesus Christ, as Abiders in Him, as Influencers, this should not be so. We have the Holy Spirit, and if we are abiding in Jesus, we will have the Fruit of The Spirit. I don’t know about you, but this is what my heart is longing for:Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control.
This is what the world is longing for, as well, even those who do not know Christ. The times when I have been able to influence others toward Christ are when I have demonstrated His Fruit. I believe this is why God has raised up Influencers and why God gave Rocky Fleming His message. God knew this world would need Abiders who are bearing His fruit, Light-bearers shining in the darkness. I’m afraid the days are only going to get darker, as I read Scripture and read Jesus’ words about the end times. So, I appeal to all of my Influencers brothers and sisters out there. Please don’t get sucked into the temptations of the flesh. Your testimony and your light and your fruit are too important to the Lord’s plan. Don’t let the devil discredit you by taunting you into a fight. Paul’s words to Titus ring true as well: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:1-5 We, at one time, lived in the flesh, BUT we have been saved, we have been regenerated and renewed and we are His ambassadors. It is fine for you to have political opinions, but just remember who we serve, to whom we belong…to the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Let me close with the rallying cry in the Battle Hymn of the Republic. God put this song in front of me, which was written at another divisive time in our country's history. We must keep our eyes on Him, for His truth marches on, regardless of who is in office or how dark it looks. Let us, too, keep marching on, bringing His truth to all people, so they will be truly free. As He died to make men holy let us live to make men free While God is marching on Glory, glory, hallelujah Glory, glory, hallelujah Glory glory hallelujah His truth is marching on.