In Christ, The Spirit Brings Rest, not Works

It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. Every day is a day when we must carry the vision of God's will into all of our activities. "How can I best serve Thee - Thy will (not mine) be done." These are thoughts which must go with us constantly. We can exercise our will power along this line all we wish. It is the proper use of the will. (AA. pg 85)

Alcoholism is a work of the flesh, not a disease:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19-21)

Yet through Christ's death, our "flesh" is crucified:

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5: 24)

Now "flesh" speaks of more than our mere bodies, but the realm of self and self-effort. Unlike the AA program, which pretty much kills a man without giving him something better, Jesus came to give up His life for us, that our sins would be fully remitted and that we may receive His life:

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 Jon 4: 10)

and

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Instead of living by the flesh, striving for everything, God invites us to walk by peace: in the Spirit

"16This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." (Galatians 5: 16-18)

Instead of writhing in self-effort, God invites us into a never-ending Sabbath rest:

"28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11: 28)

and

"Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews 4: 11)

We are not called to "keep the Spirit in us", for we have received this Spirit of adoption (Romans 8: 15), and everything with God is a gift. In Christ, the Spirit brings rest, not works.