Fill Up

I will ask the Father
and He will give you
another counselor
to be with you forever.
(John 14:16)

Yesterday, we unveiled the official 2012 GUWG Spiritual Workout to help us all train for the Big Race.

Here’s an overview, suitable for framing, posting on your fridge, tattooing on your biceps or anything else that will help you shun spiritual flabbiness:

The first step? It all starts with the ♥ lit up by the flame in the center. Before we even think about moving a muscle, we need to plug into our power source: the Holy Spirit.

The Bible tells us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). It’s the only way to live:

Live by the Spirit,
and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh.
For the flesh desires
what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit
what is contrary to the flesh.
They are in conflict
with each other,
so that you do not do
what you want.
(Galatians 5:16-17)

Here’s a rather graphic description of what life under our own feeble power looks like:

The acts of the flesh
are obvious:
sexual immorality,
impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft;
hatred, discord,
jealousy, fits of rage,
selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions and envy;
drunkenness, orgies
and the like.
I warn you,
as I did before,
that those who live like this
will not inherit
the kingdom of God.
(Galatians 5:19-21)

Uh, that sounds pretty bad. What happens if we let the Spirit take control?

But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
patience,
kindness,
goodness,
faithfulness,
gentleness and
self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23a)

Ah, that sounds better. So, what’s the bottom line?

Those who belong
to Christ Jesus
have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires.
Since we live
by the Spirit
let us keep in step
with the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:24-25)

Take a good long look at your life. What shape is it really in?

Do you see lots of love, joy, peace and the other fruit of the Spirit?

Or do you see something else?

FILL UP WITH THE SPIRIT

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