Doing the Best He Can

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16)

Many people think that life will be easy after they get saved. Instead, they frequently find they seem to have even more struggles than before. We should not be dismayed, however; this is the normal Christian life. Before we met the Saviour, we were walking aimlessly; but upon our salvation, we commenced a journey that would take us through tough terrain and high mountains.

In the epistle to the Galatians, the apostle Paul warned us not to use our new found freedom in Christ as an excuse to revert - instead of drifting back into our aimless ways, we must take the yoke of Jesus and learn to walk in the Spirit. Paul specifically said "walk" (Galatians 5:16) because the Christian life has direction. We are climbing new heights toward a specific goal, and climbing means struggling.

Every day, we grapple with jealousy, lust, and pride because we live in a world filled with such things. At the same time, we can learn to walk by the Spirit and rise above our temptations and enemies. Yes, it is tough to be in a perpetual fight, and many people have no stomach for such constant exertion. When they see the high standard of Jesus' example, they sometimes drop out of the contest and settle for doing the best they can in their own strength.

But doing the best we can is exactly what Paul said will not work - it simply isn't good enough. That's why the Holy Spirit came. By fully submitting to Him, we can learn to let the Spirit of God do the best He can. Then we will walk in victory.

Lord, I want to walk in victory, not just do the best I can. Do the best You can through me. Amen

~Charles Stanley~