For a description of the (Y2) reading plan, see the “About” page.
Gal. 5
What does Paul mean by “the flesh” and what can and cannot help you overcome it? What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? When we give ourselves to Jesus, He changes us. He sets us free from the law, meaning He releases us from relying on our own futile efforts. But He also frees us from our old nature – our flesh. This is our inherent human nature that sets self as the standard and chases after desires that lead to death. In place of this old nature, He gives us God’s Spirit, to create in us a new nature. That is, He gives us a new way of seeing, doing, and thinking about things. He changes our desires so that we now pursue God and the things that please God. He puts us in pursuit of that which leads to life.
Therefore, we need to check ourselves. If we still think we need to do certain things to be right with God, we are missing the point. “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” (Gal. 5:4). However, if we think being in God’s grace allows us to go on doing whatever we desire, we are likewise missing the point. “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Gal. 5:13b). Our old nature and our new nature stand in opposition to one another, and we can only serve one master. If we are truly free, we will turn away from our flesh and walk by the Spirit. Then the right attitudes and behaviors – the fruit of the Spirit – will happen naturally in us, apart from our legalistic efforts.
1 Kings 1-2
How had David contributed to Adonijah’s rebellious behavior? Look at David’s dying charge to Solomon (v. 1-9). What was positive? Negative? Why the negatives? To say that the transfer of David’s kingdom to Solomon was rocky is an understatement! It was a hot mess and the story leaves me with so many questions. Adonijah may well have been David’s oldest living son at the time and he may have considered the throne rightfully his. But given who he left off his invitation list, he surely knew he was acting against his father’s wishes. How did he think he was going to get away with it? And if asking for Abishag the Shunammite was tantamount to asking for the kingdom, as suggested by Solomon’s response to the request, why did Bathsheba agree to make the request for Adonijah? All so confusing to me.
And then there was the matter of David’s commission regarding Joab and Shimei. Both men likely deserved to die, though David never lifted a finger against either of them. Why, then, insist that Solomon send both men to a bloody grave? Something does strike my interest in all of this, though. David trusted Solomon to deal with these men with wisdom. And, with the exception of Joab, Solomon first offered mercy. He sent Adonijah home and gave him the chance to show himself worthy. Though he removed Abiathar the priest from the priesthood, fulfilling God’s word against the house of Eli, he allowed him to live. And Solomon also allowed Shimei to live as long as he never set foot outside of Jerusalem. We don’t know what happened to Abiathar, but both Adonijah and Shemei disregarded the mercy they were given.
I also notice that once those who disregarded Solomon’s mercy, along with Joab, who brought the guilt of innocent blood on David’s family, were gone, it was then that it says, “The kingdom was now established in Solomon’s hands.” (1 Kings 2:46). I can’t help but see a correlation here. There will be a day when all who disregard God’s family and His mercy will answer for their rebellion. On that day, God’s kingdom will be fully established.