Love is a Fruit

SOURCE: Maxlucado.com

Galatians 5 (NIV)

The chapter speaks of Freedom in Christ and Life by the Spirit.

In verses 3 and 4, why do circumcision and obedience to the whole law alienate us from Christ? In the first place, what is this circumcision and law that Paul is talking about? I may not know the answers to these questions but one thing is clear to me and it is found in verse 6:

[v. 6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Jesus values my faith in Him. Faith that should be made manifest and expressed through love. My love of Him and my love of others.

Paul warned me of people who will try to plant confusion in my life, in my faith in Him. These people will persuade me, confuse me, work through into my system of beliefs like [v. 9] "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough", to try to keep me from believing and obeying Jesus.

[v. 1a] It is for freedom that Christ had set us free. I am called to be free. And this privilege doesn't give me the license to abuse it by wallowing in sin's pit. I am free to follow Jesus. This freedom gives me my life's purpose---that is, to love.

Sadly, I don't know enough about the Spirit of God. I know God. I know Jesus. I read and heard many stories of God and Jesus, about their attributes, about their works. But the Spirit?!?! Who is He aside from being a Comforter and a Prayer Mediator/Interpreter?

I am free to follow Jesus. And Paul said that the Spirit will keep me free from my sinful nature as long as I live by Him....for [v. 22] the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [v. 23a] gentleness and self-control.
 
By these verses I know that the Spirit is also my source of spiritual strength whenever my sinful nature tries to satisfy or gratify itself with the sins of this world.
 
Lord Jesus, I pray that you will continue to let me know more about the Spirit, how I can be empowered by Him and how I can live by Him too. Though I'm clueless about the (un)circumcision and the law that Paul is speaking about, I still thank You for Paul's message. Help me O Lord to maintain my freedom in You and to live my life's purpose here on Earth. Amen.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6 (NIV)