Is It Kingdom Fruit?
It’s Your Thing (do what you want to do) was a hit song by the Isley Brothers in the late 60’s. Some of you may remember that it became a mantra for many people at that time who just wanted to be free to do their own thing. Part of the lyrics said “makes me no difference now, who you give your thing to.” But the apostle Paul tells us (in Galatians 5:13-26), that it does make a difference to God what we do with the freedom He has given us. He wants us to bear fruit that makes us more like Jesus, the one who set us free. I pray that you will cooperate with the Holy Spirit to produce the kind of fruit suitable for the kingdom of God. Amen
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. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Gal. 5:13-18) Paul wrote to the Galatian church regarding their divisive and sinful actions towards one another. These verses are also applicable for us as we do our own internal review to determine whether it’s our sinful nature or our spiritual nature that is dictating our actions. Paul tells us that although the benefit of the freedom we have through our faith in Christ, is not having to try to live perfectly according to the Law, we are not free to indulge the flesh by doing whatever we want. Instead, we are to use our freedom to indulge in acts of love, service and humility. Our ability to act in these ways is a reflection that our daily walk is being led by the Holy Spirit. In Christ we have freedom… So how are you using it?
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and 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. (Gal. 5:19-21) Paul went on to identify the kinds of acts (in four categories: sexual, religious, societal, alcohol related) that gratify the sinful nature of the flesh. These acts reflect an abuse of the freedom we have in Christ. They negatively impact our lives and our relationships with others. Instead of helping us become more like Christ and reflecting that we are kingdom citizens, these acts lead us away from God’s kingdom. The works of the flesh keep us from becoming who God has called us to be… His children.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Gal. 5:22-26) The counter to indulging the acts of the flesh are engaging with the Holy Spirit. The “Fruit of the Spirit” is the outcome of our walk with the Spirit. In this walk, our actions become more like those of Jesus. Keeping in step with the Spirit means that we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and we don’t turn back to allow our sinful nature to take over. What kind of fruit are you producing for God’s kingdom?
Christ said that He was sent to set us free (Luke 4:18-19). Indeed, He set us free from the impossibility of having to perfectly keep the Law in order to be righteous and receive salvation. But what do we do with the freedom of grace that we have received? Is it a license act on whatever the desires of our flesh are? The world tells us that freedom means you can “do what you want to do”. The apostle Paul completely rejects that notion. Paul warns us that using our freedom to live our lives in the sinful desires of the flesh is a wrong interpretation of its benefits. He offers us the kingdom way of thinking about our freedom. Freedom should make you fruitful for the kingdom. Paul urges us to use our freedom to engage with and be led by the Holy Spirit so that we will be transformed into being more like Christ. Then we will have His power operating in our lives… and our freedom will result in our bearing the fruit of those who will inherit the kingdom.
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
“…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:17-20
