Live by the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Galatians was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Galatia. Paul wrote this letter because some in the group of believers were exerting pressure on the Galatians to be circumcised and to follow the Jewish Law in order to be completely “saved”(1). Paul’s letter gives the Gentiles (all non-Jews) a way to be acceptable to God without following the Old Testament or Jewish Law, but instead by their faith in Jesus Christ. 
Chapter 5 discusses how in Christ we are free from the Law. Paul says in verse 6b, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” He says this against the need for circumcision or following any other Law that was deemed necessary to make oneself acceptable to God before Christ’s death and resurrection. This was also an encouragement to the Gentiles. And he goes on to explain that they were following the truth and someone cut in and confused them. They should be confident in the truth. Paul also warns that those who lead the believers astray will have to pay the penalty (Gal. 5:7-10).

Read Galatians 5:16-25

Paul continues to explain that one’s freedom in Christ is led by the Spirit. He talks about fruit of the flesh and fruit of the spirit. This word, fruit is translated from the Greek word, “karpós” (pronounced kar-pos). This originally means the visible expressions of hidden lusts – which come from the flesh, and the invisible power of the Holy Spirit within those who are living in union with Christ, produces evidence known as fruit (2). One of the fruits of the Spirit is peace or “eirēnē” (pronounced i-ray’-nay) meaning at one, harmonious relationships between men or nations, rest, quietness, and contentment (2). Being at one with Christ which reflects karpós of the Holy Spirit.

            During times of uncertainty when chaos surrounds, if you are at one with Christ, the Holy Spirit allows you to have peace. We have peace in knowing our eternal destination because of our faith in Jesus Christ. This knowledge and relationship we have through Christ allows us to be content in any situation. We can rest soundly at night because there is no need to worry. We have peace in relationships with others by loving our neighbors as ourselves as Christ commands. This is not a peace that anyone can obtain on their own. They must have a deep and intimate relationship with Christ. This is one important mark of a Christian; peace.

      Where does your peace come from? Is it grounded in your faith and biblical truth or is manmade, in laws and things that you can do for yourself?

1. Schenck, Kenneth. Jesus Is Lord!: an Introduction to the New Testament. Triangle Publishing, 2009.

2. Strong, James (2001). The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible: Red-letter Edition. Thomas Nelson.