So, if Christians are to be godly and to say no to sinful desires and temptation? How are we meant to go about that? Paul has been clear throughout that it isn’t by legalistic means or ritual that we pursue godliness.Is there a better way?
A look at the text (Galatians 5:22-25)
Paul contrasts “works of the flesh” with “fruit of the Spirit” both terms “works” and “fruit” are, I believe, intended to indicate the natural outworking of things. If the works described in v 19-21 were the consequences of a life orientated towards selfish and sinful human nature, then a life lived in the Spirit will have a different outworking (v22a).
The fruit is described in terms of “love, joy, gentleness, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Notice that these seem to contrast strongly with the list of fleshly works. These behaviours and characteristics are the antidote for our sinful behaviours, thoughts and appetites. Notice that like the fleshly works, the spiritual fruit overlap so that the words are closely related but tease out the detail (v22b-23a).
Paul sums them up with the fascinating phrase “against such things there is no law.” The implication here seems to be that the law is framed in terms of restrictions on what not to do. However there are no constraints or restrictions on life in the Spirt (v23b).
This is no “let go and let God” approach. The believer still has responsibilities when it comes to sanctification. The flesh is to be “put to death” (c.f. Romans 8), suggesting there is work, struggle and cost involved as daily we say no to our sinful desires (v24). We are to “keep in step with the Spirit”, observing, learning, following and obeying are required (v25). This requires humility and an avoidance of complacency which would produce the very bad fruit warned about previously (v26).
Digging Deeper
Paul does not promote cheap grace or licentiousness. Life in the Spirit is about costly obedience. However, where he sees the Law as dealing with externals and setting boundaries through restrictions, he sees keeping in step with the Spirit as focusing less on what you shouldn’t be doing and more on what you should. The Law and the Spirit both have the same concern, helping us to love God and love our neighbour. The Law says “love your neighbour by not doing unloving things like stealing, killing, lusting etc”. The Spirit says “love your neighbour by being patient, kind and generous with them”.
A look at ourselves
Notice that these things are communal. It is quite easy to feel peaceful and self-controlled sat in my room in isolation. However, true fruitfulness means that I need to live those things out in community with God’s people. Is our church characterised by the fruit of the Spirit?
Faithroots 