The Fruit of Freedom

Don’t rely on the works of the law and put yourself under a curse.

Don’t act like a slave when you are an heir.

Don’t live like a child born of flesh, when you are a child of promise, born of the Spirit.

You are free. Free to love and serve your brothers and sisters. Free to walk by the Spirit who leads you.

Don’t live like the Jews, Paul has said.

But also, don’t live like the Greeks.

The Greeks believed pleasure was to be sought after. Hedonism was the highest good. Do what makes you happy!

Where Judaism of Paul’s day was overly concerned with circumcising the flesh, Greek culture was predominantly preoccupied with satisfying the flesh. In Galatians 6:19-20, Paul lists some works of the flesh; sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing and anything similar.

Legalism and licentiousness.

There is danger at either extreme.

You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ and have fallen from grace. You who are practicing works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.

BUT.  (There is a better way.)

As you walk by the Spirit, neither under the law nor carrying out the desires of your flesh but living in the freedom Christ has secured for you, there will be fruit.

It’s the fruit that is produced by the Spirit as we abide in Christ, our lives lovingly pruned by the Father.

Love.

Joy.

Peace.

Patience.

Kindness.

Goodness.  

Faithfulness.

Gentleness.

Self-control.

Such desirable fruit, indeed.

Jesus said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be my disciples.”

Bridge Family, I pray we keep in step with the Spirit. Christ has set us free from being law keepers or law breakers and the Father has sealed us with his Spirit to guide us. We have been given everything we need to live lives that yield a harvest. May we be a fruity bunch, in all the best ways!

Natalie