Fruit of the Spirit

Salem Bible Study
Teachings on Community


Galatians 5:22-26 (The Message)

 ^22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
 ^23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
 ^25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

For Reflection

Edmund Burk once said, "Man is rotten with perfection."  Rules do not guarantee perfection.  Rewards and punishments are useless outside the context of the Living God.  Neither are good intentions the pathway to living out the Kingdom of God.  What good reason do we have to be defensive about our faith?  Each of us is an original and each needs the loving support of others.

Pray that we live the kind of life God has chosen for us.  Pray that we do not hold so fastly to the tenets of our faith that we see ourselves as somehow better that others.  Pray for the discovery of a life most extraordinary.