Therefore, brethren, we are debtors— not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14
In the conclusion of his contrast of the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit, Paul said in Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The English Standard Version 2011 edition translates the last phrase of this verse “…let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” The free dictionary by Farlex defines keeping in step with someone as to be “in agreement with someone or something.” The undeniable reality of the New Testament is that our lives must be ordered by the things revealed by the Holy Spirit rather than by the fleshly impulses which war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).
It is by virtue of our agreement with the Spirit of God combined with our willingness to submit to the will of God that we can “keep in step with the Spirit.” When we do this collectively as the church of Christ our Lord, we also keep in step with one another which is the distinctive mark of a Christian (John 17:20-21). John very succinctly describes this phenomenon in 1 John 1:5-7. The foundation of our fellowship is firmly established in this passage.
Because God is light, anyone who claims to have fellowship with Him must not walk in darkness. To claim to have fellowship with Him while walking in darkness makes us a liar who does not practice the truth. In Ephesians 5:11, Paul said we are to “…have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” Simply put, since God is the absence of darkness, He cannot have fellowship with those who walk in darkness. An extension of this is that we who would have fellowship with Him cannot have fellowship with those who walk in darkness either. John is clear that the basis of our fellowship as believers in Christ is our walking in His light (1 John 1:7). Thus, part of keeping in step with the Spirit of God is to be sure we do not keep in step with those who choose darkness rather than light.
This can be a difficult decision as it is often those with whom we share close earthly ties who walk in darkness. This puts our devotion to God to the test. Which is most important to us, keeping in step with our family, friends, and business associates or keeping in step with the Spirit of God? Only we can decide.
The good news is the Lord has given us the ability to discern light from darkness (Galatians 5:19-24; Ephesians 5:17; Hebrews 5:14) and make the right decision. While it is not always easy to choose the right, there is no temptation beyond our ability to overcome if we will seek the way of escape provided by the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:13). The question is, will we crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24) to keep in step with the Spirit? According to the word of the Lord, this is the only way to arrive at the kind of spiritual devotion God demands of those who belong to Christ. With whom are you keeping step today?