Crumbs24

 

Crumbs from the Master ‘s Table 24

The Outcome of the Indwelling

Galatians 5:22-26 New International Version 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Crumbs

Before considering these nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit, let’s take a wider view.

The commentaries agree! The word “fruit” is singular. These are aspects of one thing. The Spirit’s work does not result in a multiple choice question. He does not accentuate your kindness while ignoring our lack of self-control.

  Paul is writing of God the Holy Spirit here. So these qualities will show us what God is like. I hope this will be reflected in the studies to become.

In Matthew 7:16 NIV “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” our Lord indicates that it’s our life styles that indicate what we truly are.

Paul states that there is no law against these qualities. Why does include that comment? Perhaps some of his readers were Jews who had sought salvation through obedience to the Law. They were now on a different path, the path of grace.

That does not mean we go through life devoid of a moral compass. In verse 25 he reminds us that we owe our very existence as Christians to the Holy Spirit and we should strive to live according to His guidance. Thereby we would avoid the provocative arrogance that would so disrupt our unity with each other

Queries ( for private thought or joint discussion)

1. What does living by the Spirit mean?

2. How do we keep in step with the Spirit?

3. How do we crucify the flesh?