Anyone who belongs to Christ must not allow the flesh and its activities to remain in him. A true child of God must put the flesh and its allurements to death. Galatians 5:19-22 lists 17 works of the flesh, which must be put to death.
[ad]
As a matter of fact, the flesh is one of the greatest enemies of a child of God and must be crucified. The carnal mind is enmity against God and those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7-9). Any Christian who lives in to the flesh can never please God. The flesh is the carnal nature of man that produces carnality. There are two possible ways of life set forth in Galatians 5: one is lived in the flesh (with its wicked deeds manifested in verses 19-21, and the other brings forth the fruit of the Spirit (producing the beautiful Christian characteristics described in verses 22-23).

As offspring of Adam we inherit the flesh nature, but as sons of God we are given a new life (and nature), which is subject to the Holy Spirit. It is the inborn flesh nature that urges us to give in to evil deeds, but when you are born of the spirit, you cannot fulfill the evil desires of the flesh. As a child of God, you must totally separate yourself from worldliness and walk in the narrow path that leads to eternity in Heaven.

The broad way is the unrestricted path that leads to ungodliness and unrighteousness. The Bible commanded believers to be totally separated from the world and have nothing to do with the world. Even though we are in the world, we are not to live like the people of the world. The worldly people have their own ways of doing things, which are ungodly. A child of God must never entangle himself with the affairs of the world, but separate himself from the world and its allurements (2 Corinthians 6:17).

Every child of God should live a life of holiness and wholeness. For a child of God, personal holiness is not an option or a suggestion, but a mandatory lifestyle that he must live inside and outside. A child of God must be separated from all forms of ungodliness and remain pure, clean and set apart for God’s use. Sins of all kinds, be it lying, stealing, immorality, pride, hypocrisy, anger, stubbornness, rudeness, pornography, lust, among others must not be found in the life of a child of God. Since God, Himself, who called us is absolutely holy and righteous, everyone who follows Him must be holy in and out. We are urged in Romans Chapter 12 to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. This word “offer” means to present once and for all” by placing oneself at the disposal of another and has the idea of relinquishing one’s grip. Once a sacrifice is offered to God, you can’t take it back.

We are called to present our total being to the Lord, not just bits and pieces. God does not just want a “part” of our lives; He wants us to be completely committed to Him. Romans 6:13 tells us to offer every part of our bodies to Him as instrument of righteousness. God is looking for believers who will be completely sold out to Him. God is delighted when you are fully devoted to Him.

Today’s nugget: Offer your life unto God. Prayer: I offer my body totally to the Lord

• Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. (Dr.) Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, Nigeria
[ad]