“Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”.
– Galatians 5 v16
Dear friends,
At the start of this new term, with so much that is uncertain at this particular moment in time, there are two things that remain the same.
1) Our sinfulness
2) God’s faithfulness
Left up to ourselves we gravitate to wrongdoing. The Apostle Paul writes
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious” (but just in-case we need reminded, he lists them anyway!)
“Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and occult activity, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.”
Lockdown will not have eased these base evil desires in any way.
On the other hand, the Holy Spirit enables us to gravitate to right-doing. These Christ-like qualities also are less than obvious, so again Paul brings them to our attention!
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control”.
A farmer was once asked which chicken would grow the quickest and he replied “The one I feed most.” It’s no different for us. Feed our sinful desires and we should not be surprised when they grow bigger than we can cope with and ultimately lead to a downward spiral of destruction. On the other hand, intentionally “Keep in step with the Spirit” and we will find the Godly traits of Jesus grow in our hearts and lives.
This term, here in BPC, we will do all we can, through Kidzone, through morning worship in church and Live streaming, Sunday evening communions, mid week Connect Groups and prayer times to help encourage and build up your faith and that of your family.
Circumstances are not easy right now, but we have a choice to feed our sinful natures or encourage our Spiritual natures to flourish. Let’s actively place our trust in our faithful God.
Our futures depend on it.
Yours most sincerely,
Frank