“The Fruit Of The Spirit…. Against
Such There Is No Law”
SIH’s Think On
These Things: 1 Tim 3:14-15
Gal
5:19-24
19) Now the works of the
flesh are manifest, which are [these];
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20)
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies,
21)
Envyings, 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.
22)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith,
23)
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24)
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts.
In contrast to the works
of our sinful, fallen, fleshly nature, the Lord has abundantly blessed us with
the natural yield of His indwelling Spirit.
It is this fruit of His Spirit that we will be studying for this
devotional.
Now
the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry,
witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings,
murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:
These works which flow
naturally from our fallen nature, is the predominate force in our life prior to
our salvation experience. Looking at the
above list, it is easy to see these fleshly works can be summarized as works of
selfishness, lawlessness, and harm to ourselves and others.
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.
Paul declares plainly a
life that is characterized by these works is proof of alienation from the Lord
and certainty of a lost condition.
But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law.
But thanks be to the
Lord that, once we are saved, we are no longer controlled by our fleshly nature. Our lifestyle is transformed, resulting in
the giving forth of spiritual fruits that are wrought by the Spirit of God. These fruits can be characterized by the terms
“selfless”, “righteous”, and “beneficial”.
These fruits make the Christian life attractive, and profitable, to all
those around us.
And
they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Paul helps us to
understand that the bondage to their fleshly, sinful desires is put to death
for anyone who has been born again. Once
saved, the Christian’s lifestyle naturally gives forth the fruit of the
indwelling Holy Spirit. This change in
lifestyle is one of many proofs of a genuine salvation graciously given to us
through Christ.
Let us thank the Lord
for the fruit given forth by His indwelling Spirit. It is this fruit that benefits us and those around
us. It is these fruits that give us
assurance of the salvation that the Lord has so graciously given to us. And,
finally, it is this fruit that allows us to be effective witnesses for our Lord
and Savior.
May the
Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
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