Since we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also step (Galatians 5:25).
When we generally govern our lives by the Spirit, the desires from the flesh will never work themselves out to produce fruit (Galatians 5:16). This is because in Christ we are free from slavery to our sin nature (Romans 6:6). A life governed by the desires from the Holy Spirit is not maintained by adherence to law (Galatians 5:18). It is a life of freedom to live out righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:17). Therefore our walk is not governed by law, but the liberty we have in Christ. As we step by the Spirit, we fall in rank and file, taking each action in our life in a manner that relates to our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
The concept of stepping in contrast to simply walking is displayed by those who lived by the law. In Jerusalem, the elders of the assembly called upon Paul to show that he stepped by the law. He was to take four men who were under a Nazarite vow and pay for their sacrifices so they could be released from the vow. In doing this, he would show them that the reports concerning him teaching the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake the Mosaic Law and walk according to their customs were not true (Acts 21:23–24). With this same zeal and careful adherence, the Christian is to step by the Spirit, not by the law. When we generally govern our lives by the Spirit, the desires from the flesh will never work themselves out to produce fruit (Galatians 5:16). This is because in Christ we are free from slavery to our sin nature (Romans 6:6). A life governed by the desires from the Holy Spirit is not maintained by adherence to law (Galatians 5:18). It is a life of freedom to live out righteousness (2 Corinthians 3:17). Therefore our walk in not governed by law, but the liberty we have in Christ. As we step by the Spirit, we fall in rank and file, taking each action in our life in a manner that relates to our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
This type of conduct is seen by those who lived by the law. In Jerusalem, the elders of the assembly called upon Paul to show that he stepped by the law. He was to take four men who were under a Nazarite vow and pay for their sacrifices so they could be released from the vow. In doing this, he would show them that the reports concerning him teaching the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake the Mosaic Law and walk according to their customs were not true (Acts 21:23–24). With this same zeal and careful adherence, the Christian is to step by the Spirit, not by the law.
Those who follow the steps of Abraham’s faith take God at His word. Abraham was not circumcised when righteousness was reckoned to him. Thus, his righteousness was not based on works but on faith (Romans 4:12). In the same way today, we need to step in the same manner. Salvation is by taking God at His word. This means we cannot impose works on salvation, and must have a promise. False gospels such as “confess Jesus as Lord”, “repent of your sins”, “believe that Jesus is God” are all built upon altering the message to impose works. This comes from mistranslations and the changing of word meanings to justify work-based salvation, and thus they do not follow Abraham’s steps of faith. Salvation is by faith through grace (Ephesians 2:8). This means it is based upon a promise, for faith without a promise is nothing more than presumption (Hebrews 11:1). And, salvation is a benefit without consideration of merit. Therefore, we do not give to get; we take God at His Word. Salvation is based upon our belief that Christ died on behalf of our sins and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
Therefore, it is logical that the one who walks by the Spirit also takes each step by the Spirit. The one who steps by the Spirit is careful to work out the fruit from the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, faith, goodness, kindness, objectivity of mind, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). This can only be done when the grace believer is filled up by the Holy Spirit where he lacks (Ephesians 5:18). Being filled with the Spirit starts with framing the mind on things above (Colossians 3:1–3), which will result in seeking out the desires from the Holy Spirit, so that we are falling in line with who we are in Christ, and thus taking each step in a manner that relates to our position and possessions in Christ.
