Together in Christ: 'The Spirit's Transformation!' — Galatians 5:22-23

Sunday, July 21, 2024

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
— Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

Key Thought

Paul was emphatic: When the Holy Spirit is transforming us and we are focused on following and exalting Jesus, the Spirit brings this kind of fruit to life in us. [1] We become more and more like Jesus, Who embodied this fruit in His life. [2] God's nature is repeatedly defined in Scripture using three concepts: righteous character, gracious compassion, and unfailing love. Do you want to see these three areas of God's nature? Look at the fruit of the Spirit in today's verses!

We don't need a law to govern us when the Spirit leads us and our lives are transformed to become more and more like Jesus! [3] We don't need a written code — written on stone or any other way. [4] We become the people we are supposed to be! Does this mean we ignore the teaching about moral righteousness, holy speech, and faithful dedication to God? No. [5] But it means we quit fighting about the rules, laws, and codes. We focus on Jesus. We reawaken to what the Holy Spirit did with people who lived in a time as immoral and degraded as our own. Let's become JesuShaped people, people transformed by the Holy Spirit! [6]

[1] Notice Paul's words: "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives."
[2] 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 1:28-29.
[3] Galatians 5:22-26; Romans 6:14.
[4] 2 Corinthians 3:4-8; Exodus 31:18.
[5] Not being under law just means that we don't need to follow strict details that are spelled out for us (such as those throughout Leviticus), not that there are no standards. Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commandments" (John 14:15), and he also said that the second greatest commandment, after loving God, is "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). So love, not rule-keeping or law-keeping, is the motivation for our wanting to be transformed by the Spirit to become more and more like Jesus in our thoughts, words, actions, and service.
[6] 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Today's Prayer

Father, I want to reflect Your nature more fully in my daily thoughts, words, actions, and service. I want the Spirit's fruit to come alive in me and show others Your way of life. I ask that the Holy Spirit continue and accelerate my transformation into the character, compassion, and faithfulness of Jesus. I pray this in His name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 2 Corinthians 3:1-19
  • Galatians 5:13-26

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Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:22-23 NLT — But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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