Saturday, August 25

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:19-24 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

The works of the flesh proceed from the sinful nature as naturally as water flows down hill. In this passage Paul mentions many of the works of the flesh that the natural unregenerate man show in their lives. The natural man not only does not feel guilty or ashamed of the various manifestations of these traits, but in many cases is proud to claim them as part of his character. Many for example are proud of their drinking, sexual exploits, partying, etc. Our secular culture even makes heroes out of many who exhibit such behavior. Paul says plainly that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The text then reveals the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit. These characteristics are given by the Holy Spirit to those that have been regenerated and redeemed from the penalty and power of sin. They are Christians and have been changed from the inside out, and are no longer under law. They are under grace, led by the Spirit of God, and the fruit of the Spirit will flow from them just as naturally as the works of the flesh flow from the unregenerate. The Bible is clear that a redeemed sinner is not made perfect and can still succumb to the works of the flesh. However, unlike the unregenerate, they will not be proud or indifferent to their sin. They will be ashamed, sorry, convicted by the indwelling Holy Spirit, and will repent and turn from their sin.

The bottom line is that those who habitually practice these works of the flesh without remorse, shame, or repentance will not inherit the kingdom of God, no matter what kind of belief or claim they may have professed in Jesus Christ as their savior, unless at some point in their life they truly come to faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God that He does save such sinners such as this from not only the penalty of sin, but also from the power of sin. When God does this work of grace, the born again sinner will not habitually wallow in the works of the flesh that Paul describes in this passage. When the son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36).


10 comments:

mark pierson said...

Wayne, I'd love if you post this at BC. Could you please...

donsands said...

"Many for example are proud of their drinking, sexual exploits, partying, etc."

That was me. And even if I did feel bad about some of my sins, I was only feeling sorry for myself, and maybe a little for others, but I felt no need to cofess my evil deeds to God.

I was unthankful and selfish to the core of my being.
Now the core has been changed, but i still have to contend with "the remnant" of sin in me.

Thanks for another fine post Jazzy.

Susan said...

You, Jazzy Cat, are simply amazing in your writing. I just called my husband in and read this to him. It literally brought tears to my eyes. WHAT A SAVIOR and you always manage to say it just right.
Susan

jazzycat said...

Don,
Thanks. Excellent comment about your core.

Susan,
I am touched. I appreciate your encouragement so much. I hope things are going well in your family.

Wayne

Patty said...

I have enjoyed reading your blog, good thoughts and much to contemplate

jazzycat said...

Thank you Patty.
Wayne

inspired said...

;o]

your right

Susan Skitt said...

Ah, the key is not continuing in sin. Yes, for the true believer, we will be convicted by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Good straight forward post!

Susan Skitt said...

P.S. My dad just preached on this Sunday morning. It's good to see others with like precious faith.

www.bereanbiblephilly.org

jazzycat said...

Inspired and Susan kelly,
Thanks for stopping by. Berean is a good name for a church.
wayne