“The Sign of Genuine Transformation”
Sermon Title: The Sign of Genuine Transformation
Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26 ESV
Introduction
The focus is on the word "fruit" and its significance in the Christian life. God uses the concept of "fruit" to explain what knowing Him produces in believers' lives. Paul, in Colossians 1:10, emphasizes the importance of bearing fruit in every good work, which aligns with God's will.
"Fruit" represents the outcome of a believer's experience with God. God desires that the fruit produced by believers is consistent with His character and purpose. Christians are called to be fruitful disciples, contributing to the advancement and glory of God's will.
Characteristics of Spiritual Fruit
First, fruit is always visible; invisible fruit does not exist. The visibility of fruit is a reflection of one's relationship with Christ. A true relationship with Christ should be evident to others.
Second, fruit bears the character of the tree it comes from; apples come from apple trees, and oranges come from orange trees. Similarly, a believer's life should visibly reflect Christ-like qualities. If one's actions do not resemble Christ, their experience with God may be misaligned.
Third, fruit is not for itself but is meant to benefit others. Rotten fruit is self-consumed, whereas healthy fruit is shared and enjoyed by others. A Christian's life should positively impact those around them, offering something valuable to others.
Paul's message to the Galatians, and to all believers, emphasizes the importance of producing good spiritual fruit. Believers are encouraged to examine their lives and ensure their fruit is visible, Christ-like, and beneficial to others.
The Galatian Church Context
Paul addresses two different kinds of fruits: the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. To understand why Paul discusses these fruits, it's essential to grasp the context of the situation in the Galatian church.
The Root of the Galatians' Confusion
In his letter to the Galatians, Paul is upset and begins rebuking them just five verses into the letter. He expresses astonishment at how quickly they have turned to a different gospel and addresses their confusion about living out the gospel and receiving the Holy Spirit. The Galatians were confused about how to live out the gospel, believing that their good efforts and strict adherence to the Law were the means to receive the Holy Spirit. They took pride in being fervent Law keepers, making the Law and their efforts the driving force of their Christian life. This led them to become legalistic and aggressive toward one another. Paul writes to correct this misconception, emphasizing that receiving the Holy Spirit is not by works or efforts but only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This mirrors the spiritual walk of many believers today, who, after receiving the Holy Spirit by grace, begin to focus more on outward Christian behaviors, leading to judgment and conflict within the Christian community. Paul warns against backtracking in faith and returning to the things of the Law and flesh, which only lead to condemnation.
The Contrast Between the Fruits of the Spirit and the Flesh
Paul's discussion on the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of the flesh arises from this context. He explains the different outcomes in a believer's life depending on whether they are led by the Spirit or by the flesh. This sets the stage for his detailed explanation of the fruits produced by living according to the Spirit versus those produced by living according to the flesh.
The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23 outlines the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This concept is familiar from church teachings and children's ministry, but it is often misunderstood. Traditionally, churches teach children to self-assess and improve on the fruit of the Spirit by trying harder in specific areas. For example, children might be encouraged to practice love or patience. However, Paul’s teaching in Galatians actually advises against this approach. The fruit of the Spirit is not something believers produce through their efforts.
The Inability to Produce Fruit Through Efforts
Paul's message highlights that the fruit of the Spirit cannot be produced by human effort alone. If believers could produce these fruits on their own, the Spirit and the cross would be unnecessary. The list of the fruit of the Spirit is not meant to be a set of goals for believers to achieve but rather an indication of the Spirit's work within them. These fruits reflect the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in one's life. Instead of striving to develop these virtues on their own, believers should focus on whether the Holy Spirit is actively working in them.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
To truly bear the fruit of the Spirit, believers need the Holy Spirit working consistently within them. Self-discipline alone cannot sustain these virtues. For example, joy, patience, and gentleness may be fleeting if they are merely the result of personal effort. The true and lasting fruit comes from the Holy Spirit's influence. To facilitate the active work of the Holy Spirit, believers should engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on the Word, worship, and fellowship. These practices position believers to be filled with the Holy Spirit, enabling them to bear genuine fruit. Growing in relationship with Jesus and experiencing the Holy Spirit’s work leads to the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit. This ongoing relationship and spiritual discipline allow believers to consistently produce the fruit that reflects the Spirit's presence in their lives.
The Flesh
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the works of the flesh. He lists the following manifestations of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and similar behaviors. Paul asserts that if these traits characterize your life, it indicates living
Paul highlights that these behaviors stem from a heart rooted in conceit—believing oneself to be deserving of more than one receives. This conceit manifests in various ways:
Relational Sins: Anger and discord occur when individuals feel slighted or unappreciated.
Envy and Jealousy: These feelings arise when others have what one believes they deserve.
Sensual Desires: These are often justified as legitimate needs, even if they are morally questionable.
The works of the flesh reflect a heart rooted in pride and self-righteousness. Conversely, the fruit of the Spirit arises from a heart that recognizes it has received more than it deserves through God’s grace. This recognition of God’s profound love and provision allows for genuine expressions of love, joy, peace, and other virtues. Paul’s message to the Galatians—and to us—is to avoid superficial, legalistic faith. Instead, Christians should seek a deeper relationship with Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to actively work in their lives. This involves immersing oneself in prayer, meditation, worship, and fellowship to experience the Spirit’s transformative power, resulting in lasting spiritual fruit.
Reflection and Response
Is your life characterized by the fruit of the flesh? Or is your life characterized by the fruit of the Spirit?
Many of us, even though we have received the Holy Spirit through grace of Jesus, when we look honestly into our lives, what we often find is our lives dominated by the works of the flesh– just paralyzing us to the ways that the Spirit wants to move us. But as the Holy Spirit is illuminating our hearts to recognize our pride, our conceit, and our self-righteousness that says I deserve more, He is also prompting us to humble ourselves before the Lord in our repentance and reminding once again that we already got much more than what we deserve – that the love of Jesus is more than sufficient, that his grace is enough.
· Reflect on your life and relationship with Christ. Can others see evidence of your faith in your daily actions and interactions?
· Are there areas where your behavior or attitudes do not align with the nature of Jesus? How might you deepen your relationship with Christ to better reflect His character?
· Examine areas in your life where the works of the flesh (e.g., anger, jealousy, impurity) may be manifesting. What might these indicators reveal about your current relationship with the Holy Spirit, and how can you address these issues to align more closely with the fruit of the Spirit?