How can we ensure our spirit aligns with the grace mentioned in Galatians 6:18? The Heart of Paul’s Benediction • “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18) • Paul is not offering a polite farewell; he is declaring an objective reality. Christ’s grace is meant to dwell with—literally accompany—our inner person. • Because Scripture is fully true, we trust that this grace is both available and sufficient for every believer. Why Our Spirit Needs Grace • We are saved by grace alone: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9). • That same grace also trains us daily: “The grace of God… instructs us to deny ungodliness” (Titus 2:11-12). • Without grace, flesh dominates (Galatians 5:16). With grace, the Spirit produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Receiving Grace: The Starting Point 1. Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). 2. Trust Christ’s finished work, not personal merit (Romans 3:24). 3. Confess that Jesus is Lord; receive the Holy Spirit who seals your spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Daily Practices that Keep Us in Step with Grace • Draw near: “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). Regular, humble prayer keeps the channel open. • Feed on the Word: “Man shall not live on bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). Scripture saturates the spirit with truth and guards against deception. • Walk by the Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Consciously depend on Him in each decision. • Fellowship with believers: Grace often flows through the body (Acts 2:42-47). • Serve others: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). • Practice humility: “God… gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Repent quickly of pride. Guarding Against Grace-Stealers • Legalism: Adding human rules nullifies grace (Galatians 2:21). • License: Using grace as permission to sin insults the Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29). • Bitterness and division: “See to it that no root of bitterness springs up… and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15). • Neglect of spiritual disciplines: Drift begins when we stop abiding (John 15:4-5). Evidence That Grace Is Ruling Our Spirit • Inner witness: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit” (Romans 8:16). • Growing Christlikeness: Love, joy, peace, and the other fruit become more evident (Galatians 5:22-23). • Perseverance in trials: Grace strengthens us to stand (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Increasing generosity and service: “From His fullness we have all received grace upon grace” (John 1:16), and we freely pass it on. • Steady growth in knowledge and worship: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord… To Him be the glory” (2 Peter 3:18). Living the Benediction Paul’s words in Galatians 6:18 call us to consciously welcome Christ’s grace into the deepest part of who we are. As we daily rely on that grace—never substituting our own strength—our spirit stays aligned with the Lord, vibrant, and fruitful. |
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