GALATIANS 5:1 – 6:10

In Job’s life the fundamental truth that joy is ours for the choosing is unveiled for us. In Paul’s letter to the congregations of Galatia he adds another fascinating dimension for our consideration. Simply put, joy (and the other spiritual fruit) are not of our making.

Choosing joy is actually a result of choosing God

Our free will gives us plenty of options. The fundamental choice, however, is the choice between our physical nature and our spiritual nature. We were created with two distinct natures. God took soil and formed man from the physical elements He created, and we became physical beings. Then, He breathed into Adam the breath of life and gave us a soul in His image, and we became spirit beings. Choosing the flesh separates us from God. So, God – who is spirit – took on flesh, paid for our sins and offered the choice of a way back to God.

Jesus brings the flesh vs. spirit conflict into focus

In the consequence of our choices we find ourselves in the bondage of sin. Jesus calls us to freedom, cleansing us from sin and cloaking us in grace. Nothing has changes physically at this point, but we are new spiritually … and now the choice becomes even more crucial. The church – the body of Christ – is devastated by her members choosing to walk by the flesh. Recalling that choosing Jesus is choosing grace and choosing grace is choosing God we must face the choice to choose to walk by the spirit. This choice brings healing and harmony to the body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit produces the joy of salvation

Just as the human body naturally produces necessary and beneficial hormones, enzymes, tissues and fluids, the Spirit produces everything the body needs for health and prosperous living. Using the analogy of a plant, the fruit is the natural function of the life force of the plant, not the work of the “branches”.

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”     Mark 4:26-29

Paul reminds us that we will reap what we sow. Should we choose to sow to our flesh, we will reap the destruction and judgment naturally produced by that choice. On the other hand, should we choose to sow to our spirit, love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are produced by the Holy Spirit. Enlivened by these necessary aspects of the Christ-like life, we are enabled to serve others.

“If we live by the Spirit” let us also keep in step with the Spirit – this is our choice. The fruit of that choice is a harvest of JOY … and love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Discover … His Joy

Access … His Joy

Share … His Joy