Rules and Spirit

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by simplyme

Perhaps the "weaker" [as they've been called in posts above)

Romans 14 and 15 uses the term "weaker" in this precise context, by the way.

ones just SEEK a "measuring stick" by which to gauge their growth, or somethings, codes, whatever, to follow, LOOK TO, as they attempt to become whatever it is they are supposed to become like? How can they possibly KNOW yet what is to come., if they can't get past the basics? It is certainly not a bad thing to seek this, its only a natural impulse.

It is not bad when one is first newly saved. They cannot but walk after the flesh. In fact, living by rules is walking after the flesh. I think God expects that in newly saved people. But it is a problem, and can become bad, when such a walk is never replaced by one after the Spirit. This was part of the core problem with the Galatians!

When we LOOK TO rules, as a measuring stick, we are simply lacking the leading of God's Spirit. One does not know how to be led by the Spirit, nor sense direction from Him in such a case.

Another problem involved in not getting past the basics can be the ministry. If the ministry does not teach it, what can the saints do?

But natural impulses is what walking after the flesh is all about. And it actually came from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Hmmm...