​"Who is in Control?"Galatians 5:22b-23a
...love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Thoughts for Today:In John 15, Jesus spoke of bearing fruit. And then in verse 5, He said something we must pay especially close attention to: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." A lot of people forget this very simple concept. The fruit Jesus spoke of, and Paul references in our passage today, is not produced by the believer, but by the Spirit of the Lord, as we live in harmony and union with Him.

The Living Bible paraphrases Galatians 5:22-23a: "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Our part is simply to yield and trust; God's part is to produce the fruit.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:17: "But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit." I think his point is that our born again spirits always enjoy the fruit of the Spirit regardless of what we may be emotionally feeling from time to time. Unfortunately, we can think we're being hypocritical if we express joy when we really feel angry or depressed. But it is only the emotional aspect of our flesh that feels this way. Our spirits are always producing and desiring to reflect the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.). The truth is our spirits never get angry, depressed, jealous or suffer from any of the other maladies Paul described. Therefore we have a choice: Will we allow our flesh-oriented emotions to dominate us, or will we permit the Holy Spirit to lift us (through our born again spirits), and release His joy and peace in our lives?

Questions to Ponder:Does your life and attitude reflect your flesh or born again spirit? In what ways? Will you yield to His Spirit? Will you allow Him to control your life?

"Reflecting the Spirit"Galatians 5:22a
But the fruit of the Spirit is…

Thoughts for Today:So often, when we read today’s passage, we immediately begin to think about the fruit. However, before we discuss the fruit, let's first notice that the word "fruit" is singular, not plural. Yet, there are nine different characteristics listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Why? Because the Holy Spirit produces all of these characteristics simultaneously and constantly. All together, they are the fruit (singular) of the Spirit.

Recently, my thirteen year old daughter Amanda, asked me to help her study for her science test. The chapter had to do with light. Amanda explained, "Dad, did you know that light has every color present in it?" I nodded, and then asked, "So why are some things blue and others red or orange?" She answered, "Our eyes only see the color an object reflects. If something looks blue, it's because all the other colors from light are absorbed, so only blue is reflected. Isn't that interesting?" I said, "Yes, it is. I think you're going to do really well on your test." Amanda said, "I think so too. Isn't it amazing what God has created?" "Yes it is!"

I couldn't help but think of the many spiritual applications of this principle. Here's one: In the same way that light comes complete with all the different colors of the light spectrum, so too the Holy Spirit is complete with all the "fruit of the Spirit". Soon Paul will explain that it's one Spirit with many different aspects reflected by His presence in us. Over the next few passages, Paul will provide a breakdown of this fruit into individual elements or characteristics -- somewhat similar to the way a prism separates the various colors of light so we can see them.

Questions to Ponder:Are you reflecting a fruit of the Spirit? Which one? Don't know? Read on.

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"Once Saved Always SavedNo Humans in Heaven?"Galatians 5:21b
I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Thoughts for Today:Our passage today provides a source of contention among many Christians, religious leaders, and Bible commentators. Depending upon how one reads Paul's statement, the question might be raised: Is it possible to lose salvation if a Christian falls into sinful activity? After all, Paul states quite clearly, "Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

The "acts of the flesh" listed by Paul in verses 19-21a are the characteristics of unsaved people. We also know Christians sometimes commit these same acts. So does this mean that any Christian who is guilty of something on Paul's list has lost his or her salvation? Definitely not! The sins of a Christian won't invalidate his or her salvation, any more than the righteous acts of a sinner can make them holy before God. Sin is a very deadly thing which even Christians must avoid at all costs, but it does not determine our standing with the Lord. Those who are "born again" are not "in" the flesh any more, even though they may walk in error after the flesh from time to time.

Paul is speaking to the people who perpetually, habitually, blatantly, stubbornly and arrogantly practice these things. The ones who have no real desire to be set free from the flesh. In my opinion, Paul is addressing those who have developed a mindset of "once saved, always saved -- so I'm doing whatever I want no matter what the Lord says." They are the ones who will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Questions to Ponder:It's a really good thing that we don't lose our salvation any time we fall into some sort of sinful activity. If that were the case, none of us would make it to heaven. However, it is wise for us to take Paul's words at face value -- as a warning. So let us pray together, "Lord, forgive us and help us, we want to be full of Your Spirit, and we certainly don't want to miss out on heaven!"

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"The Flesh is Weak"Galatians 5:18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Thoughts for Today:How many times have you struggled with your New Year's Resolutions? You may write them down, know you really need to keep them (this time), but still fail. The flesh is like that. It works in opposition to our best intentions when we try to overcome it in our own power. The fact is, we will never truly overcome the flesh in the strength of our own effort. Why? Because even though our spirit may be willing, the flesh is simply too weak. (Matthew 26:41: "[Jesus speaking] Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.")

Unfortunately, our fleshly tendencies are not overcome by our resolve or even our religion. So trying to gain victory over the flesh by keeping a set of religious do's and don'ts (the law) is equally futile. In our passage today, Paul uses the word "but". I really like that because it gives me hope. "But" if we're led by the Spirit we're not under the Law -- not theologically or practically. The Galatians were still trying to live the proper Christians life, "but" they were going about it in the wrong way. Just like we do from time to time.

Questions to Ponder:The Spirit's ability to deliver us from sin, and as a result, discover the freedom and victory that Paul speaks about, is quite different than the failure we will experience when we try to control our fleshly desires solely with self-effort and self-dependence. Which direction are you taking? Your own rules, regulations and intentions, or the Spirit's?

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"In Conformity to the Word of God"Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Thoughts for Today:The Greek word PERIPATEO, translated as "walk", means "to make one's way or progress; to make due use of opportunities; and to regulate or conduct one's life" (Strong's Concordance). So how do we "walk by the Spirit"? In essence, Paul is telling us that it is by living and conducting our actions according to and following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree perfectly. Why? Because it is the Holy Spirit who inspired the written Word of God (2 Peter 1:21: "For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."). The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6b: "And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth"); and God's Word is truth (John 17:17: "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth"). As a result, when we live our lives according to the Word of God, we are also walking in the Spirit.

However, it is critical to understand that the freedom from sin and its influence does not come from ourselves. It only comes by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Spirit to control us, He breaks "the desires of the flesh." This is one of the greatest differences between Christianity and other religions. Other religions teach that God will only accept us to the degree that we are able to overcome sin. In contrast, the Bible tells us it is God who provides His power (through the Holy Spirit) that enables us to do His will. What a difference!

Questions to Ponder:A battle with our sinful nature will not produce walking in the Spirit; however, walking in the Spirit will result in overcoming sin. It is the difference between defeat and victory. Are you living a victorious life? Have you given control of your life to the Spirit? Are you living in conformity to the Word of God?

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"Paying Dearly for Ungodliness?"Galatians 5:15
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Thoughts for Today:My thirteen year old daughter Amanda and I have come up with a really interesting application of Matthew 7:2: "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." When it comes to the last piece of pie, cake, final portion of orange juice or anything else, the question is always, "Do you want to split or choose?" In other words, if one person splits the portions, then the other one chooses which one they get. It's a practical way to end disputes regarding equal portions.

Think about it, if everyone received back exactly what they put out, how much more careful would we be with the way we judged, measured or treated others? What if we really believed that every time we criticized another person, made a cruel remark, gossiped or otherwise degraded someone -- sooner or later, we would be hurt to the same degree? I think that is exactly what Paul is saying in our passage today. So even though as Christians we no longer need to fear God's wrath or rejection, if we walk in conflict and animosity with other people, we will eventually be forced to deal with the negative results that those actions produce.

Questions to Ponder:Paul tells us consequences remain for our actions beyond God's direct punishment. How so? Other people (and Satan) will make us pay dearly for our ungodliness. How do you treat other people? With love and compassion or in some other way? How would you like to be treated?

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"The Antidote for Sin is Loving Others"Galatians 5:14
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Thoughts for Today:Although the Old Testament Law is full of commands and prohibitions, many people never look beyond the outward rules to understand its purpose. The focus would seem to be upon our individual actions, but the true target is something different. The Law strikes at the core reason for all of our problems -- humanity's nature. By addressing our actions it reveals the sinfulness and complete helplessness of this nature. Yet, the Law is also powerless to change or enable us to overcome sin. It only points out our weaknesses, failures and susceptibility despite our best efforts. And by doing so, it allows sin to gain an even tighter grip upon us. (Romans 7:18: "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.")

Conversely, love does what the Old Testament Law could never do. God's love (which we are to reflect) is self-sacrificing. It is the exact opposite of the sinful nature's orientation. When we walk in the one command to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” we reject the urge of self-centeredness and self-interest. As a result, we naturally fulfill the holy commands of the Law.

How does this work? If we love others more than ourselves, then we won't steal from them; we won't hurt (or murder) those we love; and if we truly love our spouses, we won't commit sexual sins. Since we know all sin is selfish, the correct antidote for sin is selflessly loving others as much or even more than ourselves.

Questions to Ponder:Could the Old Testament Law really be as simple as "love"? Try it out. Do you have any problems with sin? Replace the attitude with one of loving others more than yourself. How does this change your desire to sin?

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"The Opposite of Indulging the Flesh"Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Thoughts for Today:Throughout this section, Paul has been teaching that he freedom we gained in Christ released us from bondage to the laws and regulations of Old Testament Law. This freedom is possible because of our born-again spirits (1 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"). So we know that in our spirits we are righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:23-24: "To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness); and we also know the Lord relates to believers based on who we are in our spirits (John 4:24: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”); however, Paul also recognized there is still a part of us that remains susceptible to sin (“the flesh").

There were some people in Galatia (the same as there are today), who use Paul's defense of God's grace as an excuse or promotion of sin. However, in our passage today, Paul makes it very clear that Christian liberty is not freedom TO sin, but freedom FROM sin. The first step in this process is to deny the desires of the flesh. So how do we deny the flesh? By living godly lives of service to one another in humble love. When we serve others in the power of God's love, it will always negate the influence and control that sin can have in our lives. Why? Because a God-based love is unselfish -- which is the exact opposite of our self-absorbed and self-serving flesh.

Questions to Ponder:Have you become a little more self-indulgent lately? When was the last time you served other people in the power of God's love? Not with our own power or purpose, but to serve others unselfishly? Serving others is the opposite of indulging the flesh.

"Separation From Negative Influence"Galatians 5:11b
As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Thoughts for Today:The King James Version of our passage today reads: "I would they were even cut off which trouble you." Different translations have caused scholars to debate what Paul intended. Did Paul want the Judaizers to castrate themselves (the NIV translation) -- and be punished for their agitation? Or simply to be separated and removed (the KJV translation) from any influence over the Galatians?"

I personally don't think it really matters. Regardless of which translation is correct, Paul wanted the legalists removed from the presence of the Galatians so their preaching and teaching would no longer be a source of confusion for them.

The same can be said for us in our struggle with our little "pet sins". The ones we keep around or allow to keep coming around -- and never really address. In our passage today, Paul tells us how -- cut them off, toss them out, and gain separation from them completely and permanently. Just like castration or circumcision. Why? Because once it happens there is no going back. Unfortunately, sin won't separate itself from us without some effort on our part. In the case of the Galatians, they had to stop listening, paying attention, and serving the Judaizers -- and instead return to the Gospel of grace.

Questions to Ponder:Is there an activity in your life that you just need to end? Is a friend or associate regularly leading you back into a behavior, influence or teaching it is best for you to avoid? Will you remove yourself from the situation or person today?

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"Getting What We Preach"Galatians 5:10b
The one who is throwing you into confusion, whomever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.

Thoughts for Today:Every Sunday school teacher, Bible study leader, missionary, pastor and parent should pay very close attention -- Paul is warning that anyone who throws God's people into confusion and causes them to become entangled in legalism will have to bear personal responsibility for what they've done. His words should be a gigantic, flashing red light of warning for the accountability that all teachers and leaders will ultimately have to the Lord.

James confirms this with his own parallel thought (James 3:1): "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Every one of us who are involved in teaching or leading God's people must take our responsibilities very seriously and with a great dose of prayer as we seek God's will. In fact, Paul's instruction to Timothy is an excellent example of the proper perspective (2 Timothy 2:15): "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Although Paul may not have been wishing judgment to come upon the legalists in Galatia, he is stating the consequence for their actions. In other words, anyone who preaches a harsh and judgmental God -- who will give us only what we deserve -- will indeed get what they preach.

Questions to Ponder:How seriously do you take your responsibilities for leading and teaching others? Do you seek the Lord's will? What is He speaking to you about now? Will you adjust your words, attitudes, and approach to Him? Is the God you teach the God of grace or something else?

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