Galatians 5:19-25 ESV
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Notice the contrast between works and fruit in this passage. The efforts of the flesh are called works, but the influence from the presence of the Holy Spirit produces fruit. Works originate with man, while the fruits of the spirit originate with God. The works of man will keep one from heaven. The fruits of the Spirit will bring the believer into the peace of God.
The works of man require much energy and striving, yet with no good effect. When one stops relying on their own efforts and begins to believe and trust in the Lord, the fruit of the Spirit will grow and mature in their own life. Less is more. Less of man means more of God.
Those walking in the Spirit are like the branches connected to the vine of life. The branches receive the life of the vine and that life produces the fruit of the Spirit. The Spirit is life. Jesus is life. He has done and is performing the grace and will of God in our lives. We can do nothing on our own.
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