Following the Leader

I was reading in Galatians this morning when I came across this little verse in chapter 5. Galatians 5:25 says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

I was reminded of the game, follow the leader, that we used to play as a child. The point of the game is to follow behind the lead person and imitate whatever they do as you follow behind. If doing it correctly, you will move as one unit. 

As we walk in the Spirit we will put away those behaviors that belonged to our former way of life and will begin to see the fruit of the Spirit developed in our life. Our lives will reflect joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But Paul gives this reminder to keep in step with the Spirit. In other words, our lives should be so reflective of the Lord that we move as one unit - much like the game of follow the leader.

Paul makes it very clear in this passage that every attitude, action and word we speak is to be done with love. If what we say or do isn't done in love, then we cannot say we are following the leader; the Holy Spirit.

These are tough words, but if we are going to say we follow Jesus then everything about us needs to reflect that. It's a challenge, isn't it? It can be difficult, but we cannot pick and choose what we will do. If we are not showing the fruit of following the Spirit then we need to figure out where we've gone off on our own. 

Follow the leader. Allow the Spirit to shape our thoughts and actions. Move as one unit with Him. And overall, put on the characteristic of love because that is a sign of your faith.