“Live By The Spirit And Bear Fruit Of The Spirit!”

“Live By The Spirit And Bear Fruit Of The Spirit!”
There is a moral law because there is a moral law giver who is morally upright. However, since things exist in their opposites, where morality exists, there is also immorality. To obey the moral code is to “live by the Spirit” which is “contrary to the sinful nature.” Both the Spirit and the sinful nature “are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.”
We have mentioned it more than once that Christian conversion is about turning from the world and its sinful nature towards Christ. Conversion is not an event – a once for all time occurrence. Conversion is a process because there are so many turnings to be done.
Perhaps the reason for moral and spiritual stagnation in society is the sweeping generalisation that we automatically become new creations at baptism. I think not! It is a process; often a long and winding journey. The “key to conduct” question after conversion remains relevant: “What should (not) be done?”
The human life is like a house once occupied by a lunatic with a carefree attitude. It is full of junk: “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatory and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, orgies, and the like.” (The “and the like” suggests that the list is longer).
Christ comes in and gradually begins to take out the junk. The lunatic is not happy and keeps challenging Christ. Christ wins and pushes out the lunatic and renovates the house. When that is done, he brings in piecemeal comfortable furnitures of “love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
My friend, reading through the acts of the sinful nature, are you free of it yet? I’m sure I’m not; but I keep working on it because God in Christ Jesus has occupied my life and is removing all the junk. Are you producing all the fruits of the Spirit as listed above? As for me I’m sure I’m not yet producing them. But Jesus in me is bringing in all the new desirable furnitures for my comfort. For “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature…” (Gal.5:16-24).
Weekend prayer: Lord Jesus Christ I surrender my life to you to weed out all the junk so that I live by the Spirit and bear fruit of the Spirit. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!