Abiding Fruit
Be Holy
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not
carry out the desire of the flesh.
NASB
It is not enough to understand the basics of doctrine. What we must strive to accomplish is an ever deepening understand of Jesus Christ. This comes from a mixture of studying, meditation, prayer, experience and application. We come to clearly understand that we live by faith and not by sight. It is our understanding of Jesus that moves us along the path of truly learning and understanding doctrine.
Paul calls this path walking by or in the Spirit as opposed to walking in the flesh or the world. Jesus Himself described the path when He told His disciples to abide in Him. This abiding is walking in the Spirit.
But, why abide. The goal of every Christian is to become more Christlike, more holy.
Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord
Without holiness we will not see the Lord. Without becoming more and more Christlike, we will not achieve an ever growing holiness. Paul writes to Timothy to seek those things that display a character of holiness.
1 Timothy 6:11
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Peter draws from the Old Testament as he tells us to become holy.
1 Peter 1:15-16
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
