“I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
Galatians 5 includes two interesting lists: the works of the flesh (v. 19-20) and the fruit of the Spirit (v. 22-23). The first list contains some obvious sins (sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, outbursts of anger). I certainly don’t want to be a person that is known for these actions. The second list is well known as the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the things that I want to be known for.
The phrase immediately following the listing of the fruit is, “The law is not against such things.” This phrase has always seemed strange to me. What does the Law have to do with walking by the Spirit? Well, actually everything — and that is Paul’s message in the letter to the Galatians. The Galatian church had started well by grace, but then they wanted to add to God’s grace by returning to following the Law. Circumcision became a divisive issue. Paul is exhorting the Galatians to abandon the slavery of the law and embrace the freedom of grace, and “serve one another through love” (v. 13). Furthermore, he tells them “if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law (v. 18).
So, I encourage you to take this opportunity to examine your own life. Is your life exemplified by the fruit of the Spirit? Or, are you working to be a good person and follow the law? Are you serving one another through love, or have you allowed the works of the flesh to cause factions and divisions in your relationships? Relish the freedom that God’s grace provides.