A Better Way – Week Four
January 22, 2022How Can I Live the Life I’ve Always Wanted to Live?
GALATIANS 5:19-23
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and 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.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
SELF VS. SPIRIT
“The importance of this list of the fruit of the Spirit (as in the case of “the works of the flesh”) lies not so much in the individual virtues as in their cumulative effect.” -DOUGLAS J. MOO, GALATIANS
1. Because of God’s Love …
I Live my Life with
• Be Patient with God
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 PETER 3:8-9
• Be Patient with People
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” EPHESIANS 4:2
2. Because of God’s Joy …
I Flood my World with
3. Because of God’s Peace …
I Leave a Legacy of
Most English versions also agree on “goodness” as the translation for ἀγαθωσύνη ( agathōsynē ; NRSV, agreeing with BDAG 4.b, as “generosity”). -DOUGLAS J. MOO, GALATIANS
CROSSROAD CHOICES
SELF Hate |
SPIRIT Love |
Despair |
Joy |
Anxiety |
Peace |
Demanding |
Patience |
Meanness |
Kindness |
Corruption |
Goodness |
Faithlessness |
Faithfulness |
Harshness |
Gentleness |
Chaos |
Self-Control |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- deSilva, David A.. The Letter to the Galatians (New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)) (p. 399). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.. Kindle Edition.
- Moo, Douglas J.. Galatians (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament) (Kindle Location 9743). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
- Barclay, William. “Commentary on Galatians 5”. “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/galatians-5.html. 1956-1959.