Articles
Fruit of the Spirit - Introduction
I thought it might be good in a series of short written meditations to consider the fruit of the Spirit that we read about in Galatians 5. This writing will serve as an introduction.
In Galatians 5 there are great concerns that the Apostle Paul needs to address with these Christians. They had started out doing the right things but there is a concern that they have left those things. Not only are they being troubled with false teachers and false doctrines, they are also having attitude trouble in dealing with one another.
Paul has already addresses the false teaching: “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)
Paul now finds an opportunity to address the attitude problem: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13-15)
In describing this conflict, Paul contrasts the “works of the flesh”: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these”; with the “fruit of the Spirit”. The contrast is between those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21) and “those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Galatians 5:24).
We will plan in future writings to consider practical, everyday applications of allowing the Spirit of God to produce fruit in our lives. I am hopeful you will read along and we can all grow in the Lord.
Paul Adams
- Fruit-1.pdf (179.30 kB)
