Love
Galatians 5:19-23 contrasts the “works of the flesh” to the “fruit of the Spirit.” Before our conversion, we may have engaged in the “works of the flesh” listed in verses 19-21. Yet, after conversion, “those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (5:24). What must we do after we “crucify” the “works of the flesh?” The answer is found in verse 25: “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Some confuse the idea of “walking in the Spirit.” They believe it is a “religious experience” or a whispery voice from within that guides us. Yet, the Spirit has a “law” (Romans 8:2). This law has been revealed through the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 1 John 5:6 mentions “the Spirit is truth.” With this in mind, if we follow the words of the Spirit, the truth, found in the Bible we will bear “the fruit of the Spirit.”
The first “fruit of the Spirit” mentioned in Galatians 5:22 is “love.” Our “love” must be shown both to God and our fellow man (Matthew22:37-38). This is the first and second great commandments. Pages could be written on the importance of love. Perhaps the most eloquent summary of its character is in 1 Corinthians 13.
How much greater influence would Christians have with all of these attributes of love? How much sweeter would the world be if such love were always on the forefront of our minds? Follow God’s Word and you will steady your influence and help change the world.
January 2008