¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ 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 are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ 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: 16-21

By walking in the Spirit (instead of trying to live by the law), we naturally follow God. Again, the fear of the legalist – that walking in the Spirit gives license to sin, and that only legalism can keep us holy – is just plain wrong. To walk in the Spirit first means that the Holy Spirit lives in you. Second, it means to be open and sensitive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Third, it means to pattern your life after the influence of the Holy Spirit.

We can tell if someone walks in the Spirit because they will look a lot like Jesus. Jesus told us that the mission of the Holy Spirit would be to promote and speak of Him (John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13-15). When someone walks in the Spirit, they listen to what the Holy Spirit says as He guides us in the path and nature of Jesus.

Suddenly the “What Would Jesus do?” bracelets do not seem so corny anymore. There is something both challenging and comforting knowing that God has called us to become like Jesus. It is challenging because well Jesus was perfect. That is big shoes to fill, but it is also comforting because we all have the ability to ask ourselves that simple question: what would Jesus do?

The key is knowing who Jesus is before asking yourself that question. Knowing Jesus means you spend time in the bible. Knowing Jesus means you choose grace. Knowing Jesus means you SPEND TIME WITH HIM. Once again, this is so simple. Yet, in our busy worlds it is also difficult. So this afternoon spend time asking yourself the crucial question, who is Jesus to you?

Amen