BY: Dr. Steven K. Parker
· Spend a few moments quietly gathering yourselves in silent meditation.
· What has been your favorite part of the Fruit of the Spirit study we’ve engaged in the past few months?
Hear:
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-26)
Pause:
· This past week I asked my kids which part of the fruit of the Spirit they were best and worst at; their responses were insightful. Take a few moments and reflect on those questions yourself.
· Which part of the fruit of the Spirit comes most naturally to you? Which part do you struggle with the most?
Reflection:
We face all sorts of crossroads decisions, particularly during the difficult season we’re facing right now. We don’t always know what to do or which path to take. We go through trials and struggles and we don’t always know how to respond. How should we as individuals and a church deal with the current difficulties we’re facing? How should we cast our vote in the coming election? How do we overcome the relational difficulties that have been festering throughout this trying time? How do we engage various forms of social media when so much of what’s out there is so inflammatory and counter productive? How do we respond to the racial divide that has been so much in focus throughout this season of discord? How do we react to people God puts in our path who look at the world far differently than we do?
Paul concludes His list of spiritual fruit with the phrase, “against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). That little phrase reminds us that when we face a difficult decision or situation and we’re not sure what to do, the fruit of the Spirit are a good, safe, God-honoring fallback position for us as followers of Jesus. When we don’t know what to do or which way to turn, we can still display the fruit of God’s Spirit. We can show genuine love in every circumstance we face and God is never going to fault us for that. We can live a life of joy, rejoicing in Jesus no matter what kind of trials heat up around us and know that when we experience and share the joy of the Lord we are not far from the life God wants us to live. We can live in peace with God and promoting peace with others, trusting that God will honor that kind of life. In all circumstances we can show patience, giving God time to work in our story like only he can. No matter what others may do or say, we can choose to respond with kindness. In the midst of the moral ambivalence of this modern world we can live a life that is defined by God’s unchanging goodness. As our world seems to spin out of control, we can continue to show faithfulness to the God who is always faithful. When we disagree or when we are wronged in some way, we can still make the decision to live a life that is characterized by gentleness. When we give the Spirit of God control of our days and veto power over our decisions, we can shine light into our selfish world by practicing self-control. “Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). Even when we struggle with certain decisions, we can rest assured that God has not left us behind to muddle through life without direction. We will know that we are following God’s guidance as we begin to see these spiritual qualities that are the norm of life in God’s kingdom on display in our story more and more.
As we draw this study toward its conclusion, my prayer is that this conversation about spiritual fruit might be just beginning. The difficulties we are facing provide us with a great opportunity to commit ourselves anew to take up our cross and follow Jesus daily, living a crucified life. Now is the time to turn our backs on the destructive works of the flesh and live into the Spirit of God, allowing God’s Spirit of Comfort to produce His fruit in us that are a normal part of life in His kingdom.
Wonder:
· What is your least favorite part of this pandemic season we’re going through? Is there any way God might be working to redeem even that part?
· How might God be using this difficult time to help us grow in His grace?
Bless:
· Affirm what everyone has shared.
· Pray that God might help us to grow in His Spirit that our lives might more and more be characterized by His Spiritual Fruit.
“God, help us to live by the power and guidance of your Spirit. Show us ways in which we need to grow in your character. Produce within us a life that is defined by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help us to live by these graces that are always pleasing to you and never violate your holy word. In the powerful name of Jesus we ask that you would make us more like Him. Amen.”
You can access this past Sunday’s summarizing message on the Spiritual Fruit by clicking here.
We hope that you will join us online Sunday at 9:30 AM in Spanish and at 11:00 AM in English. We also have various Zoom Bible Studies and Sunday School classes that you can plug into; call the church office at 956-968-9585 or message us on Facebook for more information about those. May God produce His fruit in us!