The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band

 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-25 ESV).

 

The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band is the official marching band of Texas A&M University, composed of over 400 men and women from the school's Corps of Cadets. It is nationally known for its precision military marching formations on the football gridiron and is the largest military marching band in the world. The band operates under strict military guidelines as an integral part of the Corps of Cadets.  I am very familiar with the various formations and precision maneuvers they can perform. While I was in the Corps at A&M, I was never good enough to claim the precision of those who were selected for the band. I always marvel at their performance.

 

This is something of what the apostle Paul teaches in our reading today. He insists that the Galatian believers should “walk by the Spirit,” be “led by the Spirit,” and “keep in step with the Spirit.” It is the language of habitual performance. He also warns about what happens when our steps in life are not in coordination with the Spirit. There is immorality, impurity, conflict, selfish ambition, jealousy, discord, rage, and more. That is a dangerous place to be, and if we live that way, we will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Being in step with the Spirit, however, produces “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Life in Christ is designed to be harmonious. It involves a community loving and serving each other, just as the Trinity—God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—love each other. These verses can serve as a litmus test of our life. Do you exhibit selfishness, pride, and conflict? Or do you live with love, goodness, and self-control? Perhaps it’s time for you to get into step with the Holy Spirit!