Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Fruit of Change

Galatians 5:22-26    
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Contrary to the works of the flesh of the fallen natural man in the previous verses, here the outworking of the Spirit in us shows as qualities of God.  He is conforming us to His image which was seemingly hopelessly marred by sin, and these come as we do not try to do them as works of the Law, but realize His working of them is how He puts His Law in our hearts by His Spirit and a new heart.  We must count ourselves dead to sin, as if we were nailed to a cross also, then choose to yield to His leading to keep in step with His Spirit as we follow.  That is what disciples do.  When we are then changed, this must not lead us to think it is our accomplishments or badger others to mature as we do, nor be jealous of others who God has sanctified further.  Our contentment is in Him and His work in each of us.  

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