Contemplative Bible Reading

Galatians 5:19-21 (New International Version 2011)

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ 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.

Here is a list of the acts of the flesh, and these items are obvious. Christians sometimes delve into these acts. Often, the Christian confesses the act and is forgiven. Sometimes not.

Let me say something simple about these acts:

they are  bad for us humans

I know people who

• worship satanic beings
• worship the gift, not the giver (idolatry)
• hate almost everyone they meet
• are jealous of most people they meet
• fly into fits of rage
• cling to what they have selfishly
• will do anything to get ahead
• consume large amounts of alcohol daily

These people are miserable. They have lousy, unhappy lives. Many of these people are Christians.

Here is an experiment that you might try. I describe it, but don’t recommend it. For one week, everyone person you see – hate them. Think terrible, hateful thoughts about every single person you see. At the end of the week, how do you feel?

I believe that God isn’t telling us these acts of the flesh as a warning of eternal damnation, “don’t do these or you will go to hell!” (Yes, I do read the words at the end of verse 21).

I believe that God is telling us these acts of the flesh as an encouragement to a better life, “After all we’ve been through (creation, the fall, redemption through my son), do you want to be miserable?”

Avoid these acts of the flesh. These are not in the Thou shalt not part of the ten commandments. I believe these are in the you are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ and you can now live free of sin and its painful consequences part of God’s grace.