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Galatians 5:22-23, 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!

Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul is emphasizing that in Christ, we have freedom.  Under the law, we live in bondage.  He is imploring the Galatians to live as free people, true heirs of God, experiencing the fullness of life that comes knowing you belong to Jesus Christ. 

In this chapter, Paul speaks to how easy it is to slip back into a life of bondage.  Others use their freedom to engage in sin.  Paul is stating that neither is acceptable. True Christian freedom manifests itself in obedience, self-control, and love. 

Just as Christ sets us free, Paul says that it is the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that sanctifies us, allows us to better reflect Jesus.  When the Holy Spirit comes and makes a home within us, it begins to transform us from the inside out.  We cannot stay the same people once the Spirit of the Living God is within us.  There should be fruit that demonstrates our new nature.  That fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  How well do you exemplify these attributes in your own life?  Are some easier than others for you?  Something I find interesting about these is that they are "fruit" of the Spirit, not "fruits."  God intends for us to live out each of these, not just some of them.  If we are very kind people but we lack self-control, then we need to spend time in prayer and ask God to help us with our self-control and then be intentional about working on that trait.  If we struggle with patience, then we do the same thing.  Friends, we have the Spirit of God living within us and that is powerful and transformative.  Spend some time today praying about the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Let's pray...Holy God, Help us be better reflections of you by living out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Reveal to us what we need to work on and give us the motivation and desire to do so.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.