Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control.”

Galatians 5:22-23

Prior to these verses, Paul gave us a list of the “works of the flesh,” a list of seventeen-plus attitudes and behaviors that are abundantly founds in the lives of those who reject the grace of God. And it’s worth noting that the “works of the flesh” is plural, because people can try all kinds of lifestyles and go down many different roads to try and find love and joy, and there are many “works” that come from such a life. 

But the “fruit of the Spirit” here is singular because there is only one way to walk with God, by His grace, and the fruit that comes from a life that is lived by the grace of God is singular as well, “Love.” Now there are many ways that this love is put on display in the life of one who walks in the Spirit of God, “joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

These are yours in Christ, you don’t have to work for them or earn them by doing good works, simply “Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh,” and what a wonderful life that is!

Pastor Doug Hardin