So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
God has used this passage to both challenge and encourage me. He has asked me to meditate on it daily. I have realized that I am guilty of each act of sinful nature listed. Sometimes my sin drags me down. I feel tired, like I'm fighting a battle that I can't win. However, there is hope. The cross. The only place where nothing really seems to make sense. It should be me up there, suffering for the things I have done. But I am here. Free. Living in the blessings of God's peace and love. Our sinful nature has been crucified. It's passions and desires are gone. On the cross, Jesus yelled out, "It is finished!" Our sin - It is finished! Praise God because it is a battle that I am not strong enough to win on my own.
One thing that blows my mind is the fact that when Jesus died, he took all of God's wrath on himself. All of the punishment. God turned his face away from his Son and punished him for our sin. As if the beatings and torture from humans wasn't enough, God punished him too. In John 12:27-28, Jesus says, "Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"
I don't want to take advantage of that. I don't want to trample on the cross of Christ. Why walk the line of sin when Jesus made an end to it? We are to walk in step with the Spirit. Praise God for his great mercy and love. He loves us so much.
