Have you reflected on Galatians 5:22-23 lately? I have been thinking through a Christ Follower’s testimony and his or her disciple making in our turbulent and political times.
Paul begins with the contrast of "the works of the flesh" that everyone can plainly see around them:
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these (Galatians 5:19-21a).
It seems like Paul is describing the outcomes of today’s newsfeeds and the feelings being churned up in you, me and those around us.
Our culture is overwhelmed by many of these “works” with students protesting U.S. support for Israel, political attack ads, borders, taxes, inflation, national debt and on and on.
In direct comparison, Paul shares what a huge contrast a Christ Follower can be to friends, neighbors and anyone we bump into:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience [perseverance], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Living out God’s Word here, we become counter-cultural in the best possible ways. As we become spiritually fit and strong for the spiritual battles, we ultimately follow the pattern Jesus set Himself when living under the turbulence and tyranny of Rome.
That’s why Back to the Bible is all about encouraging Christ Followers to get into the Bible for themselves and live it out.
Remember that the GOtandem app can support you in discipling others. For example, if you know someone is struggling with fears and anxiety, the app can help you quickly pinpoint verses to share and questions to get them thinking. Or if you encourage them to download GOtandem, you can ask about what they are learning and discovering from the Lord.
GOtandem and all of Back to the Bible’s teaching resources are free to use without cost or subscription because of the generosity of donors—people who love Jesus and care about others—just like you. It takes about $5.50 to provide the GOtandem app and its content
to someone each month. Please consider a gift to help as many people as you in getting the Bible and its teaching matched to their spiritual need today.
For example, if you want to help 5 people for a month, your gift of $30 would cover them. Maybe you want to stretch to do even more—like helping 10 people with $55. If you would like to help 20 people this month, your gift of $110 would be put to great use! I know the Lord will lead you to the right gift level.
Your gift is the difference maker! Know too that we are constantly looking for new methods of outreach—introducing people to Jesus for the first time or bringing believers back to Scripture and the power it brings to daily life.
Join me and the staff of Back to the Bible this month. Partnership is powerful as we all seek to be countercultural through Galatians 5:22-23.
Onward and upward together,
Arnie Cole, CEO
PS: Be sure to check out all of the great Bible teaching content at www.backtothebible.org or, from your mobile device, click this link GOtandem from the App Store or Google Play and download our Daily Spiritual Fitness App.