July 15, 2013 (Monday)
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatian Christians, states that “the fruit of the Spirit is “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
He contrasts that with a list he called, “the works of the flesh: “sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Quite obviously, the lists are a contrast in values. One is a list of virtues, but the other is a list of sins. The items named reflect opposite points of view as far as personal values are concerned.
There are also other factors in these two lists, and those concern their origin. One is “the fruit of the Spirit,” and the other is, “the works of the flesh.”
One list is produced by the Spirit of God; the other is produced by our sinful nature.
One list shows what the Holy Spirit can do in our lives; the other reveals how our sins are the results of our own evil work.
Let us yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit who lives within every believer. As an old song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” Let us surrender to God’s control in our hearts and lives.