If we live by the Ruach, let us also walk by the Ruach.  Galatians 5:25, TLV

Context. Paul was dealing with a real controversy within the believing community in Galatia, a region in what is today’s central Turkey. The new Gentile believers were confused. Were they to convert to Judaism? Or were they simply to be “grafted” into the olive tree?

Paul had his work cut out for him. As one of the most educated and orthodox of the Jewish believers in Yeshua, he had to disciple new Gentile believers who were once pagans. This meant, he had to begin simply to help them unlearn thousands of years worth of paganism.

An Abundant Life in the Spirit

Rather than trying to pound the Torah into these new believers, he gave them the basics: “As for Gentiles who have believed, however, we have written by letter what we decided—for them to abstain from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from immorality.” (Acts 21:21, TLV)

Paul knew for these new believers — Jewish or non-Jewish — to live an abundant life in Messiah, they had to live by the Spirit. Because the Torah does not save, it never was designed to save. It was designed to show us our sin and how to live. The sacrificial system was the means of atonement.

Living and walking by the Spirit begins with knowing the Fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Ruach is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, TLV) 

Begin Simply

Sometimes we think we have to prove our sincerity as believers and followers of Messiah. Worse, we may force others to perform. Let’s begin simply by unlearning the past through living in the Spirit. The rest will follow as we seek the LORD through His word.

Please pray Psalm 122.