Thursday, September 20

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:22-26)

Galatians 5 contrasts life under the Spirit and life under the flesh, including these concluding statements about the fruit of the Spirit.  While we may wish to live out the qualities of the fruit of the Spirit (22,23), this privilege is reserved for living under the Spirit.  For those who have received Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit has become resident in their hearts at the moment of salvation.  Thereafter, the Christ-follower may appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit by (1) confessing sin, (2) seeking to be filled and guided by the Holy Spirit, and (3) trusting God to be faithful to His character.

Too often, we may trust in the "sanctified self" vs. the fruit of the Spirit.  We may believe too much in our own righteousness.  This self-reliance ultimately leads to disappointment because the power of the Spirit is inherently not present.  We have sought a counterfeit power.  Instead, logic and faith demand that we rely solely on the power of the Holy Spirit (infinite, mighty) instead of our own (finite, weak).  How could you rely more on the Holy Spirit to honor God with your thoughts, words, and deeds today?

In addition, it appears that our main participation in reflecting the fruit of the Spirit lies in what we reject.  Paul writes:  "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."  The Christ-follower turns away from the sinful nature ("the flesh") so that he or she may reflect God's character.  It is akin to scooping ice cream into a clean bowl instead of a filthy one.  The contents of the clean bowl will be clean after leaving the clean bowl—not so for the dirty one.

Then, Paul closes with an admonition to reject "conceited" attitudes.  Living under the Spirit means abandoning our pride.  Living under humility, we are able to promote unity and love among the Body of believers.  Otherwise, we will find ourselves "provoking and envying each other."

Paul concisely and clearly presents the contrast between life under the Spirit and under the flesh.  May we commit today to living under the Spirit and seeking to loving God, loving people, and making disciples.

Lord God, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit so that we might be guided and empowered.  We seek today to live under His power.  Show us where we may crucify the flesh.  Bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in us so that we may honor You and bless Your people.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.