Galatians 5:25, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

This morning, it is important to pause and reflect on the exact ramifications of the exhortation that Paul is giving. He has just concluded, in the preceding verses, comparing the works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. After comparing the two, he gives this admonishment in verse 25. Now, Paul states that if we are in the Spirit (by God's divine mercy and grace) then we should behave as such. What exactly does this verse destroy?

If it is true that once we have been born of the Spirit and vitally put into the family of God we will from thenceforth and forever behave as such in some form of perseverance and obedience, then what is the purpose of this exhortation? Indeed, Paul gives an admonishment like this one in the 3rd chapter of Colossians. He tells us to "set your affection on things above not on things of the earth." He does this after declaring that we have been "risen with Christ." Therefore, even after the birth occurs, there must still be acts of obedience that must be done that are NOT foreordained to be so.  

Paul also said in Ephesians 2:10 that we SHOULD walk in these things. He did NOT say that we WOULD. Rather, we should. Are you very thankful this morning that we serve a God who loves us in spite of ourselves even after He has given us the desire to follow Him when we continue to fail every day? I am, I trust, thankful this morning that our God is so very gracious to us more than we remotely deserve.