Lesson 3 Walking by the Spirit
Question 5
So now, we understand how the first principle of freedom, Washing at the Cross is connected to the second principle, Walking by the Spirit. At the cross, we see Jesus giving up His life for us, we hear that His death is for our pardon and release, our forgiveness and freedom, and we believe that message, and we receive the Holy Spirit. This is a one-time event where a person becomes a believer in Jesus and receives the Holy Spirit.
But as we hear this good news over and over, and we believe it, again and again, it enables us to begin walking by the power of the Spirit rather than living in the weakness of our flesh.
Do you see this? The cross and the Spirit are intimately joined together, and as we visit the cross often, we receive fresh infusions of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s look at one more passage for today, where the Apostle Paul asks a series of questions to the church in Galatia:
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4 Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” Galatians 3:1-5 (NIV)
Question 5. How did the Galatians receive the Spirit of God?