April 2, 2020

There are two different ways to live on this earth that oppose each other according to the Scriptures we read today. Walking in the fruit of the Holy Spirit or by the desires of the flesh. One can’t walk in the fruit of the Holy Spirit unless they have the Holy Spirit which can only happen when you hear the Gospel and believe it to be true, therefore repenting and having faith in Jesus as your savior. Once that happens, God inhabits your life on earth through the Holy Spirit and what is mentioned in verses 22-23 is the fruit that will come out of your life the more you are filled with the Holy Spirit. Although these are characteristics you can discipline or pursue, a lot of it should come out more naturally as you grow closer to Jesus in sanctification. That’s why Christians should be seen and known for their:

• Love
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-Control

And when this “fruit” is not as evident in a proclaimed believer’s life, and the works of the flesh mentioned in verses 19-21 are more evident, one must question if they truly have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Only God truly knows one’s true salvation, but Scripture is clear that the church can judge from within based on their fruit, and that’s described in this passage. The works of the flesh includes:

• Sexual Immorality
• Impurity
• Sensuality
• Idolatry
• Sorcery
• Enmity
• Strife
• Jealousy
• Fits of Anger
• Rivalry
• Dissension
• Division
• Envy
• Drunkenness
• Orgies

So this means that if a co-worker, classmate, family member, celebrity, politician or fellow church member proclaims to be a Christian with their mouth but shows more works of the flesh than fruit of the spirit, we must treat them as such, no matter what they or others say. Not out of judgmentalism but out of a burden for the truly lost to be truly found.

By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor