"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5.22-23).
Just as surely as the works of the flesh are patently obvious for all to see, so is the fruit of the Spirit. One cannot miss the fact that where God's way is followed, the results are always positive and uplifting. Such things as joy and peace abound; love and goodness and kindness bloom profusely. A sharper contrast cannot be drawn than the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. One is God's wonderful garden of fragrant flowers; the other is the revolting garbage dump of humanity.
There are human laws against many sinful practices. Most societies recognize that it is wrong to steal and murder. However, Paul makes an observation that should not be missed. Concerning the producing of the fruit of the Spirit, Paul says, "Against such there is no law." (Galatians 5.23). It should be so obvious to us that God's way is superior! There are an abundance of laws against sinful deeds but there are no laws against the practice of human kindness and goodness and the unfettered practice of love. No man can ever be legitimately prosecuted for loving too much, or for being too kind, or for having excessive compassion for humanity. Certainly such practices are not contrary to God's will for us; He has no law against them!
"And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5.24). The metaphor here is striking! Just as sin once placed the Messiah on the cross, so those who are owned by Messiah now place sin on the cross! Just as the flesh once killed the Savior, so those who belong to Him now put the flesh to death. This picture is one that ought to be seen with vivid clarity. God fully intends for His children to renounce once and for all the practice of sin and to commit themselves completely to His service!
The bottom line is this: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5.25-26). If life came through the Spirit shouldn't we also walk in the Spirit? The answer cannot be missed if only a small amount of discernment is used! The Spirit is our source of life and likewise the means by which our lives are sustained. The opposite approach only results in self-centeredness and a downward spiral into self-destruction and abysmal practices. An appeal to walk in the Spirit and to avoid the works of the flesh is an appeal to that which any spiritual first-grader should know!
It does not take a Solomon to know the difference between these two worldviews. As an old preacher used to say, "Any one who can see through a ladder can see through that!" The proof is self-evident! Man left to his own devices soon finds himself in the pig pen of life. Only when we heed God's directions and place ourselves in His hand of Divine wisdom and protection can we be lifted out of the sty and into the sky! "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Questions:
1. Whose directions are followed when the fruit of the Spirit is evident?
2. Whose directions are followed when the works of the flesh are evident?
3. Is humanity better off where the works of the flesh abound? Why or why not?
4. Why is there no law against the fruit of the Spirit?