Galatians 5:22-26
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another," Galatians 5:22-26.
There is a radical difference of someone's lifestyle in verses 19-21, compared to verses 22-26. The difference, first of all, is Jesus Christ, and then good healthy teaching of the Word of God. Bad teaching always leads to bad living. Wrong teaching leads to wrong living. Bad and wrong teaching leads to bad and wrong theology. Remember, the false teachers had come in to the churches in Galatia and were teaching a Christ plus works for salvation. The Scriptures never teach a works for salvation message. These false teachers were undermining the foundation that had been set by Christ and the apostles. They needed to be rebuked face to face as Paul rebuked Peter. If they would not repent of their false teaching, then they are to be marked and removed from the fellowship of the church. In order to keep the church healthy, the cancer (false teachers) must be removed. This is another reason why everyone in the church should be grounded in the doctrines of the bible. If you know the truth, you will know a false teaching when you hear one.
As a result of the false teachers, the Galatians began to think they could live the Christian life in the power of the flesh. This is a biblical impossibility. Paul addressed this in Galatians 3:1-3, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" False teaching puts emphasis on self, not on Christ, and the life that person lives is evidence they have followed false teaching because they live trying to satisfy the flesh, not Christ. As we go through these verses today ask yourself, have I been influenced by false teachers? Do I misunderstand the Scriptures because of false teaching? Again, ask yourself this, do I believe a false gospel, which means I believe in a false love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance? A true conversion comes from hearing the true gospel which produces a life that is Christlikeness which we see in verses 22-23, and a false conversion which comes from hearing a false gospel produces a life that is described by the works of the flesh in verses 19-21. Let us get into these Scriptures.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness temperance; against such there is no law," Galatians 5:22-23. We will take our time and look at these verses today. Notice the word "Spirit" in verse 22 is capitalized. This is speaking of the Holy Spirit Who is the third Person of the Holy Trinity. He lives inside of every believer and has sealed every believer (Ephesians 1:13-14). He empowers us to live for Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8). He gives us understanding of the Scriptures (I Corinthians 2:9-14). It is by and through the Holy Spirit that we are able to live for Jesus Christ which means fruit is produced which is clear evidence that we truly are Christians. "Fruit" in this verse is that which is produced and is gathered up for the glory of God, and the benefit of others.
The first fruit we will look at is love. "Love" in this verse is the Greek word "agape" and is love, affectionate regard, goodwill, benevolence. Spoken especially of goodwill toward others, the love of our neighbor, brotherly affection, which the Lord Jesus commands and inspires. This is a noun which means it is not just what you say and do but describes Who lives in you. This love is a result of the Holy Spirit now living in you. Christ has changed you. Turn to I John 4:7-21. Others will know Christ now lives in us because of our actions. "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others," Philippians 2:1-4. The love Christ had for others is produced through us by the Holy Spirit. Christ served others (Matthew 20:25-28). Christ had compassion on others (Matthew 9:36; I Peter 3:8-12; I John 3:17). The Christian is known as a loving person, not a pushover, not weak, but love. Turn to John 15:8-17. We love Him because He first loved us, and we continue in this love for Christ; and our life will show it.
There are multitudes of people who claim to be a Christian, yet they are full of hatred for other people who are not just like them. There are times when the Christian will be out of character and hate when he shouldn't, but that will not characterize that person's lifestyle. Let us examine ourselves in light of the Scriptures to make sure we are in the faith. If the bible says Christ has not saved your soul, I beg you to look to Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins. Repent, and believe the gospel. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," John 6:37. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
