Fruit of the Spirit – Part 1
November 7, 1999
Dear Friends:
In the book of Galatians in the fifth chapter, the Apostle Paul gives us two lists – the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The Judaizers had accused Paul of saying “continue in sin, that grace may abound.” (Rom. 6:1) In other words, they changed Paul’s teaching that man was not justified in keeping the Law of Moses to say that man could please God in a state of lawlessness.
Paul counters this charge by telling the Galatians that his message of faith, rather than giving a license for evil, was the impetus for good. Although Paul never states it as such, his message concerning works can be summarized as “if you believe, you will do.” If we truly believe the message of Christ, we will follow his moral standard. This is the true relationship between faith and works. Works are faith manifest in action.
The Judaizers claimed that without out law, lawlessness prevailed. Hence, morality must be legislated. However, Paul raises the standard as did Jesus by saying we must live a life of Godly principles. This far surpasses any law as lawbreakers are always one step ahead of the law. In this passage he outlines what the flesh and the spirit yield.
The works of the flesh are deed-oriented. They are specific actions. Therefore, we murder once and we are a murderer. We commit adultery once and we are an adulterer.
The fruit of the Spirit on the other hand is principle-oriented. We cannot use it as a checklist, but as guiding principles. It is a way of life which emanates from a good character. It must be practiced all the time. If we do works, we earn a wage. If we bear fruit, we are dependent upon God to bring this increase by changing us through His word. We much change from being led by the flesh to being led by the Spirit.
Unlike the works of the flesh, it is not so evident that one moment of joy fulfills the fruit of the Spirit anymore than does intermittent, selective love. A life lived by the principle of love or joy fulfills these principles. If we are gentle and peaceable one minute and hateful and schismatic the next we are accounted as a worker of the flesh and therefore liable to the sentence that “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
It is also interesting to note that several of the works of the flesh are not immoral in the proper context. For example, adultery and fornication have to do with our normal sexual desires gone awry. God has provided an outlet for normal sexual desire in marriage. Yet, mankind is not content to live within the bounds He has created.
In all of the works of the flesh, God has not asked us to avoid anything unreasonable. He realizes we have mortal needs. We need to eat. We don’t need to gorge. We need to drink. We do not have to drink alcohol to the point of drunkenness. We have emotions that need an outlet. We do not need to hate or create schisms. God has not stacked the cards against us. Quite to the contrary! “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32) God has provided for us a sacrifice for sin, a mediator and a wonderful future hope just to list a few things. He also promises us that He “will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” (1 Cor. 10:13)
Lord willing, in the coming weeks, we will explore a few more thoughts concerning these two interesting lists.
Have a great week!
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