Galatians – Week 10 – Day 5

READ 

Galatians 5:22-23 

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 

Galatians 5:19-21 lists the characteristics of unbelievers. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the characteristics of believers. Remember, you will know them by their fruit. Because the word “fruit” is singular, some think it refers to “love” and the others flow from it. Others think it is singular because it points to Christlikeness. At least believers can use these nine items to check the extent they are revealing them in their lives. Some live or work in areas where they are restricted in what they can say about Jesus, but there is no law or regulation that can prevent them from showing the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. 

REFLECT 

As a believer in Jesus with the Holy Spirit living within you, are these nine fruit seen in your life? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about Paul writing about grace in contrast to the law, that is, a list of good works. The true mark of a believer is not in a list that can be checked off to become right with God, but the fruit of the Spirit seen in his or her life after believing in Jesus. Talk about each of these items with a friend and how each can be better expressed in your lives.