SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 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. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. [Galatians 5:19-23] The source of our behaviour is the heart. The condition of the heart determines the outflow of the heart. The heart shaped by the sinful nature produces sinful results; the heart shaped by the Spirit of Jesus produces Jesus-shaped results.
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [Matthew 12:34-35] But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. [Matthew 15:18-19]
Our natural condition is to be shaped by the sinful nature, our default position is selfishness. Jesus offers Himself and His Spirit to change that. When we open our hearts to Jesus, when we make love for Him our first priority, then He energizes our heart with His Spirit to change the outflow. He shapes the heart to produce a different kind of result. He helps us to start being more loving, more joyful, more peaceful, more patient, etc. Its not easy, since it goes against the natural default of our heart; but slowly but surely He changes us, and helps us to become more and more like Him. We are not expected to change our heart ourselves, but neither does He do it for us. It’s the result of our partnership with the Lord; we are yoked with Him and grow together. In other words, I need to want to be more loving, more joyful, etc. I need to strive with Him to be more patient, more self-controlled. I need to do this in dialogue and dependence on Him. When I do, He gives me the strength and help I need to succeed. Yes, it is a process, and I will stumble along the way. But between us, we cannot fail.
When Paul speaks out against religious activity, its not that he is saying that we need to do nothing. Rather, he is saying that the activity that God wants is not religious activity, but faith and love. That is what counts with God. So by all means strive to be loving, and His Spirit will help you get there.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me want to be more loving, not just more religious.