Old Testament Scripture Reading: Proverbs 21:1 – 3 (KJV)
Pro 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Pro 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
New Testament Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16 – 21 (KJV)
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Gal 5:20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) In the time in which we live there is an emphasis placed on the actions and roles of government rather than on the Great Commission entrusted to us by Jesus The Christ; unlike it was demonstrated by the early Church, who were able to conduct ministry even though many of the things that are done by the governments were totally against the grain of the Gospel.
2) It is easy to fall into the ways of the flesh and the world; but to be successful in bolstering spiritual growth, we must learn the secrets of the Word and the Spirit of God and actively practice and pursue personal obedience for which God has promised to reward all diligent seekers.
3) Paul’s teaching for not only the Galatians but also for the Church throughout the ages is not to see good works as a means of salvation, but operating in love, we must understand that Jesus is God’s gift to all who believe and the proof of His Father’s love; so the we might bolster spiritual growth by walking in love.