Dance Lessons

Here at the close of chapter 5, Paul comes the conclusion of his contrast of walking by the Spirit and the desires of the flesh.  

He's given us a clear picture of what a life dominated by each looks like.  God's Spirit and my flesh are mortal enemies (v17).  

A self-centered life results in a long list of self-destructive "works of the flesh" (v19-21).  But a Spirit-submitted "me third" life produces Christ-like fruit (v22-23).  

If Jesus has saved us and we're His, we must remember that we've driven a stake through the heart of our sinful flesh (v24).

Paul sums all this up by writing, "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (v25).  He begins by reminding us of a very important truth.  

If we're repented of our sin and placed our faith in Jesus, we're currently living by His Spirit.  Let's take a closer look at translation of the little word "if.”  

The Greek particle here is ει/ei.  It can certainly mean something that comes with certain conditions.  For instance, if something is this way then this is the result.  

But this little word can also mean since.  And with the present indicative form of the verb "to live," that's probably the best way to read and understand the first half of this verse.  Try it this way: "Since we are living by the Spirit..." (v25).

The apostle is reminding both the Galatians and us that as followers of Jesus we are already living by the Spirit.  It's a fact.  We need to continually remember this truth and live like it.  

That's exactly what Paul says to his friends in Rome.  As a matter of fact, Romans 8:3-11 is a wonderful companion passage on the cage match between God's Spirit and our flesh.  "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you" (Rom 8:9).  

And just what kind of power is providing us the juice to follow Jesus?  The very "Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you" (Rom 8:11).  

Now THAT'S power!!  Iron Man and his arc reactor ain't got nothing on you and me as Spirit-filled followers!

So since we are currently and presently living by the Spirit, "let us also walk by the Spirit" (v25).  This looks familiar doesn't it?  It appears to be the same idea that Paul mentioned back in Galatians 5:16 when he commanded us to "walk by the Spirit.”  

Well, it's not.  A closer look at the Greek text tells us that he uses a different verb here.  It's the word στοιχεω/stoicheo.  It means to behave properly.  

This term describes orderly movement, such as a column of soldiers marching in a row.  It's the idea of moving together in sync.

But there's another way of looking at the verb τοιχεω/stoicheo.  And that's to dance.  

We're to move gracefully and in step.  Pete Briscoe says the Christian life is less about marching as it is dancing.    

If we're going to dance, we need to learn how to dance.  We need dance lessons.  We need to learn the basic moves so that we can not step on our partner's feet or bump into other folks on the dance floor.  We need to learn the steps.  

So you think you can dance?  Paul says we all need dance lessons.

Once again, Eugene Peterson allows us to see this verse through a fresh lens in his paraphrase "The Message."  

"Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives" (v25 The Message).  

If in fact we're living by the Spirit, AND WE ARE, then let's make sure we're living our lives like we are.  So let's start dancing. 

©2012

Jay Jennings