Weekly Protein (06/18/22)

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25, NASB 1978)

Paul taught here that regeneration (“live by the Spirit”) should be followed by sanctification (“walk by the Spirit”). Wonderful as it is to born again, the Christian life doesn't stop there. Continued transformation is expected, though not inevitable. Don't claim to be a Christian, wrote Paul, if you have no interest in a crucified life (Gal. 5:24) or fellowship with the Holy Spirit (whereby “the fruit of the Spirit” - Gal. 5:22-23) is developed.

Here is your weekly protein.

1.  Answer these questions.

• What is the difference between regeneration and sanctification? (If you are unsure, then include this question in number three below.)

• What is taking place in your life right now to indicate the Holy Spirit matters to you?

2.  Read Galatians 5:16-26.

3.  Communicate with your pastor. Ask him or her, “What does it look like to “walk by the 

     Spirit”?

Sanitized But Not Sanctified

"Even though hand sanitizer kills 99.9% of germs, only .1% of germs make us sick." (1)

According to this statement, sanitizer kills germs that don't make you sick and might not kill the germs that do.  Hand sanitizer seems to be overrated.  You feel better using it, knowing it might not prevent anything.

That reminds me of self-righteousness.  Just because you're sanitized (self-improvement, moral, sin management) doesn't mean you're sanctified (new nature, new life, victory over sin).  Self-righteousness emphasizes the 99.9% external, minimizing the .1% essential (thriving personal relationship with Jesus Christ).

Below are several things that will sanitize you but not necessarily sanctify you.

• Going to a church.
• Giving in the offering.
• Reading in the Bible.
• Serving on the board.
• Helping with a ministry.
• Counseling with a pastor.

Why are those things good, helpful and desirable but not ultimate?  They could be distractions that keep you busy as you avoid the truth.  Only truth moves a person beyond sanitation and into sanctification.  Only truth can deal with the .1%.  Only truth can set a person free (Jn. 8:32).

“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." (Jn. 17:17)

"I am the Way, and the Truth and the Life." (Jn. 14:6)

"But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..." (Jn. 16:13)

(1) Www.Twitter.com/UberFacts.  8/3/12  8:17 A.M.

Rock Snot in the Yough

This is an illustration people won't forget, though they may want to.  Can you imagine the conversation at lunch?  "So what did the pastor preach this morning?"  "I don't know...something about rock snot."

Creation: Seven Acts of Separation (Gen. 1:1-2:3)

If you had one word to summarize Creation what would it be?  Variety?  Creativity?  Authority?  How about "separation"?

• 1:2-5 > Separation of light and darkness
• 1:6-8 > Separation of water above and water below
• 1:9-13 > Separation of land and seas
• 1:14-19 > Separation of day and night
• 1:20-23 > Separation of sea life and sky life
• 1:24-31 > Separation of man from all beasts (only man made in God's image)
• 2:1-3 > Separation of Sabbath from previous 6 days

From the beginning God taught us sanctification (being separated, differentiated or set apart).  He did this 7 times.  You get my drift.