Vigilance-The Word of the Day

This A.M. as I prayed, I spent time in confession/reflection. The importance of remaining vigilant began to develop in my head. Now, it seems that most folks think of avoiding sin and the lusts of the flesh when this word is spoken. “We must remain vigilant against…you fill in the blank.” But, I don’t think that’s the best way to be vigilant. Paul wrote to the church at Galatia, “But I say, walk in/by the Spirit and you will most certainly not fulfill the lusts/desires of the flesh” (5:16 my translation). The focus is the walking in the Spirit, not the avoidance of lusts or desires of the flesh. Paul did not say ‘don’t do this stuff.’ He said ‘do walk in the Spirit.’
Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God and all of the needs we have will be taken care of. He also told people to come and follow him. He did not tell them not to follow something or someone else.
We tend to focus on all of the behaviors and processes that we think should not be done. ‘Don’t do this. Don’t do that.’ That breeds legalism…and the letter of the law kills. But, Yahweh desires that we embrace the Spirit. If we are vigilant in our following and seeking, then the rest will look after itself.