Sunday, August 25, 2024 | Steve Fish

Galatians 5

If we are living by the Spirit, we will produce fruit (character, behaviors) by the Spirit. Fruit that pleases the Spirit. If we live by the flesh, we will produce fruit (sin) by the flesh. We get to make a choice.

1. No freedom to sin. (Galatians 5:13-15, Romans 6:14-18)

Saying “no” to something means you are saying “yes” to something else.

Galatians 5:13-15 — Love your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 6:1-2 — We died to sin.

Romans 6:13 — Sin cannot master you.

Romans 6:15-18 — You are a part of the family.

If we sin, we have a God who has forgiven us, but in this freedom we are slaves to righteousness because we are the children of God.

2. Mixed metaphors, and no sour apples.

– Flesh vs. Spirit (Galatians 5:16-18, Matthew 7:16-20)

– Good fruit vs. bad fruit

– Pure water vs. salt water (James 3)

– Light vs. darkness

Why is this truth being repeated in so many ways in the Scriptures? You have the freedom to choose to follow your flesh or the Spirit.

3. No place in the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)

4. In step with the Spirit with no law and no conceit. (Galatians 5:22-26)

Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

There is no law that can produce a righteous person.

Keeping in step with the Spirit is the journey of a godly child of God.