Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Galatians 5:13-15, 22-26 (NIV)
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 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. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
As our final devotion in this Galatians series, I want us to hear again the Fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”. (Gal 5:22-23a) Paul reminds us that “against such things there is no law”. (Gal 5:23b) This is the type of lawlessness worthy of the people of God! Just as there is no law against such action, these gifts are not meant to be a burden either. I often think of these Fruits of the Spirit as different exercises. Just as we might practice yoga or go for a regular run, these are things we can practice. I invite you to pick one of these Fruits of the Spirit and practice. Who needs a little extra love? Where can you show self-control? How do we model peace or patience in the midst of our day. Then we’ll gather tomorrow to work-out together.