“A Month of Thankfulness” Devotional Series (Day 14)

“The Fruit Of The Spirit…. Against Such There Is No Law”

SIH’s Think On These Things: 1 Tim 3:14-15

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Gal 5:19-24
19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24) And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

In contrast to the works of our sinful, fallen, fleshly nature, the Lord has abundantly blessed us with the natural yield of His indwelling Spirit.  It is this fruit of His Spirit that we will be studying for this devotional.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:
These works which flow naturally from our fallen nature, is the predominate force in our life prior to our salvation experience.  Looking at the above list, it is easy to see these fleshly works can be summarized as works of selfishness, lawlessness, and harm to ourselves and others.

of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Paul declares plainly a life that is characterized by these works is proof of alienation from the Lord and certainty of a lost condition.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
But thanks be to the Lord that, once we are saved, we are no longer controlled by our fleshly nature.  Our lifestyle is transformed, resulting in the giving forth of spiritual fruits that are wrought by the Spirit of God.  These fruits can be characterized by the terms “selfless”, “righteous”, and “beneficial”.  These fruits make the Christian life attractive, and profitable, to all those around us.

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Paul helps us to understand that the bondage to their fleshly, sinful desires is put to death for anyone who has been born again.  Once saved, the Christian’s lifestyle naturally gives forth the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  This change in lifestyle is one of many proofs of a genuine salvation graciously given to us through Christ.

Let us thank the Lord for the fruit given forth by His indwelling Spirit.  It is this fruit that benefits us and those around us.  It is these fruits that give us assurance of the salvation that the Lord has so graciously given to us. And, finally, it is this fruit that allows us to be effective witnesses for our Lord and Savior.

May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.

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