The Fruit of the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
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 21 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.
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.
— Galatians 5:13-26
 

In Galatians, as in Romans, Paul emphasizes salvation through faith. However, we must remember that this faith is not merely an intellectual agreement or theoretical concept. Faith is our response to the path of salvation opened to us through the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a gift of grace from God.

Some may misunderstand salvation by faith, thinking that because our works do not affect our salvation, our actions are unimportant. But that is not the case. We live a new way of life because we have been saved, not because our works are the condition for salvation. It is out of the grace of being saved that we joyfully pursue a life that reflects God’s character.

Faith is not just a theoretical idea; it means a transformed life, shown through the work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the results of this inner transformation. These fruits are not merely a list of behaviors but are the natural outcomes of a heart changed by Jesus. The Holy Spirit transforms us from within, leading us to live lives filled with love and compassion.

Though we have been saved by the Spirit, salvation is not the end but the beginning. We are called to continually be transformed and renewed by the work of the Holy Spirit, growing to the full measure of Christ. This is not out of fear but as part of the journey to fully experience the blessings of the salvation we have received.

Today, let us seek to bear the fruit of faith in our lives by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit and living lives that reflect Christ. Let us surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit, experiencing renewal and freedom in our faith.

Prayer: Lord, You have begun the work of salvation in us through the Holy Spirit. Please sustain us until that work is fully completed in our lives. Renew our inner selves so that our actions and lives may be filled with the fruit of the Spirit, which You are bringing to fruition within us. Amen.

(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)

 

Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.

Previous
Previous

Do not be afraid of the people of the land

Next
Next

Grace and peace to you