Sunday Writing... 6-30-19... FREE & FRUIT-FILLED

Good morning!

Today we take a look at what it means to be free from the yoke of slavery, and to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit.  Read "FREE & FRUIT-FILLED" below to see how that plays out in our lives, and how it isn't just another list of "does and don'ts" in these select verses from Galatians 5.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional: 

"FREE & FRUIT-FILLED"

by

Jan Andersen

Galatians 5:1 ESV  

For freedom Christ has set us free; 

stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

What does it mean to be “free from a yoke of slavery?”  It means that we no longer need to be caught up in the burden of the rigorous demands of the laws of the Bible as a means of grace or gaining God’s favor in order to be saved and go to heaven.  It is impossible for us to perfectly keep all the commands and laws.  That is why He sent Jesus, his Son, to die in our place on the cross and freely give those who believe in Him salvation.  However, God does not wish for us to indulge in vices and be entangled in unbridled sinful living.  He doesn’t want us encumbered with desires of the flesh, as they lead us away from Him and to spiraling down to hitting rock bottom… and below.  

Galatians 5:13-14 ESV  For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one command: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

What God desires is that we not be consumed by our fleshly desires, but use our freedom well in loving and serving one another.  Galatians lists various vices illustrating our human sinfulness in action and then goes on to list the fruit of the Spirit as the alternative virtuous living.  But these are not to become another list of laws to follow!  It is an outgrowth of being led by the Spirit and keeping in step with Him in our daily walk.

Galatians 5:16-18 ESV  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Jesus walked the perfect life for us, in order to set us free from needing to be perfect keepers of the law.  Our walk led the Holy Spirit creates faith in our hearts and good fruit in our lives.  As we desire to exhibit this fruit more and more in our lives, it will crowd out the fleshly desires that make us stray from God and lead to ruin.  Let us live free and faithful fruit-filled lives of Spirit-led virtue out of thankfulness for the salvation already won by Jesus, Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you ever so much for sending your Son, Jesus, as our Savior.  By this you have released us from the burden of the law.  Help us not to squander this free gift in unhealthy vices.  May we keep in step with the Spirit and express our thanks by loving and serving our neighbor as ourselves through spiritual fruit and good works.  Help us live this free and fruit-filled life to your glory.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.                                                                                      

   

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Song:

"LIFESONG"

by Casting Crowns

(When we walk by the Spirit then our whole life will be lived for God)

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff of Women's Focus Ministries

Blog Writers

Sandy Billingham, Karen Bennett, 

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  

Bre Miller, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard

Amie Spruiell, Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Steficek,

Jan Andersen and Corinne Mustafa