Life in The Spirit Romans 8 & Galatians 5

When analyzing Romans 8 and Galatians 5 and looking at the defining characteristics of Christian spirituality in these texts I see the following. We should live a life of freedom, not to sin, but free from sin and free to serve the Lord and His purposes. We should also live a life in the Spirit and not in the flesh, a life in the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit which is something the flesh can't produce.

These are the main themes I see in these chapters and of these characteristics I see the people of God (in America which is all I can speak for) focused in a very unhealthy way on the freedom in Christ. What I mean is the people of God here have the mentality that they are saved and therefore they've done what is needed by believing so now they can live however they want as long as they come to church, give a little here or there, maybe volunteer at VBS, or in Sunday school children's ministry every once in a while.  This is a fallacy and one that has eternal ramifications not only in death, but here and now as well, as lives are truly being wasted that could otherwise be accomplishing the will of God and work of the Lord here in the earth, but aren't.

I certainly don't say this in pride, but with brokenness and sadness of heart. So that is the most evident thing I see, and the least evident I see is people living a life in the Spirit. Life in the Spirit is the main theme in both of these chapters, and is absolutely an outflow of a life that is surrendered and made new through repentance and faith in Jesus (being born again). The Holy Spirit is the vital component to accomplishing the will of God, Jesus literally told the apostles to not even begin their ministry after he ascended into Heaven until they received the Holy Spirit. Yet we see so many "believers" attempting to live the "Christian" life in their own human power and wisdom, which leads to constant failure. The life in the Spirit is one of power, freedom, and true love for others and God. If we would get back to preaching the entire counsel of the scriptures and ministers would be committed to the Lord sincerely, and get back to making discipleship and evangelism the priority we would see these dynamics shift, until then I don't see things improving.