Fruit of the Spirit Contrasts Life of the Flesh

January 28, 2013 - Galatians 5:19-23

5:19		情 慾 的 事 、 都 是 顯 而 易 見 的 ． 就 如 姦 淫 、 污 穢 、 邪 蕩 、
5:20		拜 偶 像 、 邪 術 、 仇 恨 、 爭 競 、 忌 恨 、 惱 怒 、 結 黨 、 紛 爭 、 異 端 、
5:21		嫉 妒 、 〔 有 古 卷 在 此 有 兇 殺 二 字 〕 醉 酒 、 荒 宴 等 類 、 我 從 前 告 訴 你 們 、 現 在 又 告 訴 你 們 、 行 這 樣 事 的 人 、 必 不 能 承 受 　 神 的 國
5:22		聖 靈 所 結 的 果 子 、 就 是 仁 愛 、 喜 樂 、 和 平 、 忍 耐 、 恩 慈 、 良 善 、 信 實 、
5:23		溫 柔 、 節 制 ． 這 樣 的 事 、 沒 有 律 法 禁 止 。

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

   ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

 Paul affirms that the acts of the flesh involves four various areas: (1) sexual immoral acts: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; (2) idols worship: idolatry and witchcraft; (3) people non-harmonious relationship: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; (4) indulgence: drunkenness and orgies. Paul proclaims that living this kind of life continuously will not inherit the kingdom of God. This is a stern warning to all people who claim that they are believers but continue to live a life of the flesh like this - they shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul contrasts a real believer who is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, living out the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, that is above the law and transcends the requirements of the law. Love, joy, peace and forbearance are generally spiritual qualities that exhibit toward God, people, and external circumstances; kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness are qualities toward people; and self-control is quality toward oneself which contrasts self-indulgence. 

My Holy Spirit, thanks for giving me the Kingdom of God that is purely the grace of the Lord, but at the same time You indwells in my heart that as I walk by the Spirit to follow Jesus Christ as my Master, I can live out the fruit of the Spirit in my life. My Spirit, I needs all these spiritual qualities in my life. Please continue Your works in me today.