Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Years ago, Shauna and I bought a house in Colorado. In the backyard were several trees, but we didn’t know what kind. And moving in during the Fall didn’t help. In the Spring, leaves and flowers popped out. But, still didn’t know what kind they were. Then, over the Summer little green fruits emerged from where the flowers were. Then they grew bigger and reddened. Apples! The fruit revealed we had apple trees … and they were delicious!
Paul wrote a letter to the church in Galatia reminding them of their newfound freedom from sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ and His death – to pay the price for their sins – and resurrection – to earn for them new and eternal life. In their baptisms they received this freedom as the Holy Spirit came to dwell within them. Some of the Galatians had a problem; though they said they were Christians because they went to church, sang some hymns, and did things they were supposed to do, the product of their works didn’t produce fruit consistent with their newfound freedoms. Many were still producing unholy, fleshly works that revealed where their true passions and desires aligned.
Paul urged the Galatians, as he urges us today, that “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25) And we walk by the Spirit when we live a life that is truly transformed by the Spirit … a life that produces the fruits of the Spirit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). While we might still get angry, envy other’s possessions, or live in conflict with others, we also see these fleshly works gradually become replaced by the Spirit’s fruit as we live more in tune with God, His word, and His will found in His word. By the power of the Spirit, over time, we begin to produce more fruit that reveals who we really are – children of God. Let us ask God to helps us produce Spiritual fruit.
Your Brother in Christ,
Pastor Jim