Q. What did Paul mean when
he said, "They that do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of
God?" Galatians 6:21.
A The connotation of this
statement is that of practicing or living in these dimensions of the flesh. Romans
14:17 says, "The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in
the Holy Ghost. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you."
This is where the principle of kingdom living comes into focus and according to James
1:15, "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." The practice of the
works of the flesh will bring death (spiritual death) and thereby keeping one
from inheriting kingdom living or the presence of the Holy Spirit in their life.
A continual practice of the works of the flesh without any confession of sin
will cut off spiritual life.
Q. How can I cultivate
spiritual fruit in my life?
A
Philemon 1:6 says
to acknowledge the good things in you in Christ Jesus and it will activate your
faith (faith that would pertain to any area that you are acknowledging). Begin
to acknowledge the fruits of the spirit as being in you through Christ and they
will begin to manifest because of your faith for them.
Q How do I eliminate the
works of the flesh from my life?
A To be constantly
conscious of your weakness and frailties, your sins and iniquities will merely
give strength to them. In Christ, we have been given the right through imputed
righteousness to say by faith with our lips and mentally assume a position of
being right with God. To constantly confess weakness and think on weakness will
merely water and fertilize the corruptible seeds sown in the soul (or natural
man). Choke those seeds out and stop giving life to them by acknowledging who
you are in Christ continuously and giving yourself wholly to these things! 1
Timothy 4:15, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them;
that thy profiting may appear to all," and 1Thessalonians
5:21-22, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all
appearance of evil."
Q. How can I make sure that
the seeds I am sowing into my spirit through meditating on God's word are truly
growing?
A If the principles of
sowing and reaping are being applied, then the laws of germination will take
over. There is no act of the will aside from sowing the seed and watering the
seed through meditation and prayer that we can do to cause a seed to grow. If a
farmer were to go out and examine the seed sown everyday by digging it up and
looking at it, it would completely inhibit the growth of that seed. Assume a
stance that it is done by faith and you will soon see the manifestation and
results of your faithful sowing of seed. Be patient and it will come to pass. Galatians
6:9, "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not." Set no time limit on it, for different seeds
have different growing periods.
