Free to Bear Fruits


As Christians, I think we are always looking for practical applications to guide us along our faith and lead us towards righteousness. Sometimes, there just will never be a straight forward formula. Its called faith for a reason. But I think Paul gives us a few good practical reminders in Galatians 5 that will help guide us along and lead us in the right direction.

Christ has set us free. Free from slavery. If we truly realize this and believe it, we must not turn away from Him and return to our old selfish and sinful ways, no matter if it is what we desire and we yearn for. We should be looking towards the King, yearning for Him instead.

Paul continues to remind us that our faith and salvation can never be earned, by works or deeds. For instance, circumcision is brought up, but Paul says,

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. - Galatians 5:6
The ONLY THING that counts is faith expressing itself through love. 

Now that we've been given the freedom, it does not mean freedom to do whatever we want, indulging in whatever types of sins we enjoy, but freedom to serve and love one another, regardless of who they are. Christ loves the world, the sinners, the fallen, the weak, and the poor. We must learn to love all people as He did. 

Sin will always surround us, pulling us in several directions, how are we to stand firm? To live by the Spirit. The Spirit and sin are forever in conflict. You cannot have both in your life. If we live by the spirit, we will not have the desires of the flesh and of the world. Paul gives a full but incomplete list of sins we must watch out for, from sexual immorality to envy to selfish ambition, and strongly proclaim that those who practice these things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

So instead of bearing such bad fruit, let us bear good fruit (v.22-23). The good fruits of the Spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control (i've written a whole series on the fruits of the spirit which you can find HERE). 

Let us obey the Lord not as a means of justification but because it is an important component of the Christian life, responding out of love for the God who thought of us, loved us, and sacrificed for us. 


verse of the day: Galatians 5:24-25
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.

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