Entry-level versus Victorious Discipleship

In Paul's letter, written to the Galatian church, we find these words recorded in chapter three and verse three: "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" The way of the "Spirit" being contrasted to the way of the "flesh." The Galatians had gotten off track. They were in deep trouble in their walk of faith. They had left the way of the "Spirit;" and Paul was being used, by The Lord our God, to correct them and get them back on track. We often find these contrasted ways in the Kings Book: The flesh and the Spirit. The carnal and the spiritual. The babe and the mature. Walking by sight as opposed to walking by faith. For the purposes of this forum, "entry-level discipleship" can be best understood in the context of the way of the "flesh," the "carnal" way, the way of the "babe" in Christ, and "walking by sight;" and "victorious discipleship" can be best understood in the context of the way of the "Spirit," the "spiritual" way, the way of the "mature" in Christ, and "walking by faith." Our conversion to Jesus Christ is a work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, we begin our journey (just as the Galatians did), "by the Spirit." But, we quickly fall prey to thinking that we must be doing something in response to our conversion. We quickly fall into patterns of doing certain things and not doing certain other things. We become as the Galatians, who, because of their "flesh" walk, were looking to "being perfected by the flesh." In contrast to this, our Lord Jesus Christ, is seeking to move us into an understanding of and submission to the reality, that He is willing to empower us to live rightly and walk in holiness, by allowing Him to do the doing and the not doing. As it is written at Second Corinthinians, chapter four and verse eleven: "For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." Let us stop being "foolish" like the Galatians. Instead, join with me in allowing Jesus to have His "way" with us! Join with me in walking by, and continuing with: God the Holy Spirit, in and through His Son Jesus Christ. Until next time, my beloved brethren, I continue to be:

Your servant and fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus