I’ve always applied the passage in Galatians 5 to me as an individual. If I abide in Christ, and He abides in me, Jesus promises, I will bear much fruit — the fruit Galatians 5 describes. For Christianity is not mechanical, like other religions, but organic. Our fruit comes not from striving, but from abiding in the living Christ. All we need to do is abide, and then His life flows into us through His Spirit, producing the fruit of His Spirit listed in Galatians 5.
But I have come to see this also applies to individual congregations.
If they are abiding in Him and His Word, they will thrive.
If they let go of their grasp on the True Vine,
they will die.
Two years ago I received a warm invitation from a United Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia to speak at their women’s retreat. My immediate thought was, “Oh, I’m going. I can bring them the good news!”
I jumped to the erroneous conclusion that being United Methodists, they probably no longer had a vibrant relationship with the Lord.
I live in Wisconsin, and my experience with the United Methodist Church in the north is that, for the most part, individual churches have drifted from their beautiful roots. They have removed songs about the blood from their hymnals. (Some have even removed their own Charles Wesley’s 2nd most popular hymn: And Can It Be?) Despite the overwhelming evidence, these churches no longer believe Jesus literally died and was raised again, but instead, that it is just a beautiful metaphor — telling us something like: “Cheer up, because spring always follows winter.” (Tim Keller quips: “Do you really think that message would have turned the world up-side-down?”) They pick and choose which parts of Scripture they want to believe, and are swayed by whatever the current culture believes. And because they are no longer abiding in the Vine, life is ebbing away. Much research supports this, but I thought I’d show you an article from a liberal newspaper, to show you that even their research supports this. (I can’t seem to give a link to it without them asking you to pay, but if you google Liberal Churches Are Dying and click on The Washington Post article, you’ll be allowed to read it. It is a fascinating read and a good warning to all of us.)
So I came to the wrong and prideful assumption that this church in Georgia had lost its roots and God was sending me to rescue them! However, my continuing conversations with Suzanne, the woman who invited me, began to make me wonder if indeed this church was abiding, alive, and vibrant. Could it be?
Yes! I found a group of women who loved the Lord deeply, grasped the gospel firmly, and were abiding in Christ. This is much more common of mainline denominations in the south than it is in the north, but now they too are facing formidable storms that could potentially result in their loosening their grasp on the True Vine and lead to their demise. In particular, the two issues facing the United Methodist Church (and this is true of other mainline denominations) are part of the LGBT+ agenda:
- Redefine marriage away from God’s plan (which is repeated 6 times in Scripture) of one man and one woman for life
- Ordain practicing homosexuals
The winds are fierce and those who resist are labeled as bigots. It was fascinating to listen in on the conversations of those preparing for the impending storm. The African United Methodist Church is conservative, and has regularly kept the North American United Methodist Church from going astray, but now the pressure is intense. The African Methodists ask the North American Methodists a penetrating question:
Centuries ago Christian missionaries from the north told us our practice of polygamy was wrong,
defiling God’s plan for marriage and His covering for the family.
So though it was hard and costly, we put away polygamy.
So why do you now come to us,
demanding we abandon God’s definition of marriage
and support gay marriage?
St Luke church in Columbus, Georgia, and her sister Methodist churches who are still abiding, are God’s remnant for what was once a beautiful denomination. We must pray for them and see them as a model of clinging to the True Vine when the storm winds blow. Pray they (and we!) seek the praise of God rather than the praise of man. Pray they (and we!) see the enemy’s lies, for Satan is intent on finding ways to loosen our grip on the Vine and getting us to throw away our only lifeline.
Truly, it was thrilling to me, after being so disappointed in the deadness of the north, to see this life! While many in the north would like to dismiss their southern churches as being un-enlightened, that would not describe the body I met. These were believers of depth, many sophisticated and cultured, yet not trusting in their worldly gifts. Their “vineyard” is laden with fruit and I heard testimony after testimony of those who had been the grateful recipients of that fruit. One woman at the retreat wept as she told me how she has been loved into the body of believers. She lives in subsidized housing and regularly invites her neighbors to the free dinners at St Luke Church provides for those in need. She said, “They don’t see me as any different from them — I am embraced as part of their family.”
I also heard wonderful stories of those in the gay lifestyle being loved by those at St Luke who hold to God’s Word yet love well, knowing we all are sinners. One practicing homosexual man who was invited into a home over the holidays said, “I will not stand to hear it said ever again that this couple are bigots.” We all struggle with various kinds of sin from birth, and we all need support to be set free, not enablement that keeps us in chains.
As I was praying about who might support filming a curriculum for my upcoming book: The Jesus Who Surprises, it was St Luke United Methodist Church in Columbus, Georgia, that came to mind. They sought the Lord on this, and then came running to help produce an amazing video that will be free online. It will go into prisons, to congregations that are not affluent, and to any who want it when the book is released this July.
I was overwhelmed at their response, but also, at God’s goodness in bringing us together, and bestowing one gift upon another on us. St. Luke has an incredibly talented cameraman named Justin who is passionate to serve the Lord. 21 women who had been through my study on Idol Lies signed up to do a crash course in The Jesus Who Surprises over the holidays so that they could be prepared to give individual testimonies on what God taught them. We were allowed to film the video in and outside of the historic W.C. Bradley buildings along the beautiful Chattahoochee River. The presence of the Lord was palpable, and we all sensed Him with us. We had storms on either side of the shoot, but it was clear and calm for the actual shoot. I want to show you just a few pictures so that you can marvel with me at what God did. And indeed, you are part of this, for you prayed, and God heard and answered.
A month ago Justin sent me some footage he took of this site — of the river and the kayakers. I had no idea this would be the scene, and I immediately thought, What a wonderful picture of this beautiful but broken and perilous earth — and of how we need Jesus to navigate the rapids.
This beautiful brick room with great windows looking out at the river had been transformed: chairs brought in, foliage put on the wall, and anointed with His Spirit. We all sensed we were in a holy place, for He was there!
On the second day of the shoot, the women came into another building, individually, to share their stories of how God met them during this study. This is Suzanne with me and Justin, and I remember how she shared so poignantly on how fruit comes not despite suffering, but because of it. I cannot wait for you to hear the testimonies God gave to these women!
These two days of filming happened between two storms. I was scheduled to fly out of Milwaukee last Sunday, but a formidable snowstorm was to begin two hours before my scheduled flight. Many of you prayed, and I was able to get on a 5:55 A. M. flight instead, beating the storm! Then, shortly after we finished filming, a fierce windstorm hit Columbus, knocking the power out. That night Suzanne and the pastor’s wife, Mary Pat, had planned a dinner to celebrate what God had done. It was held by candlelight and was a most memorable evening, filled with love, joy, and the light which the darkness cannot overcome.
Sunday:
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
Monday: The Wesley Brothers and The Gospel
Charles Wesley wrote so many beloved hymns, including Hark the Herald Angels Sing and And Can It Be? To prepare your heart, sing along with this, pondering the lyrics, letting them penetrate your heart. Watch for good theology as you sing.
2. Share two examples of good theology from “And Can It Be?”
In the free message by Tim Keller this week, you will hear how once both Luther and the Wesley brothers thought Christianity was “mechanical,” that character was achieved by striving rather than abiding. But then they were overwhelmed by the gospel — first Luther, and then the Wesley brothers in reading Luther’s preface to Galatians. (If you just joined us and would like to read it, you can find a paraphrase by Tim Keller here: this pdf,)
3. Read Galatians 5:16-18.
A. What two natures are in conflict with each other?
B. What does Paul tell us to do in verse 18? What do you think this means?
My friend Twila, who has memorized Galatians, Romans, Hebrews, and much more, and I have been discussing this. She articulates that we are free from all the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments, for they have all been fulfilled in Christ. That doesn’t mean we are free to sin, but rather, we now live not by the Law, but by the Spirit. That Spirit, according to Romans 2:15 puts the moral law into our hearts. We are guided by the Word, but the One we obey is the Spirit, not the Law. And we obey the Spirit, not to achieve favor with God, but out of grateful joy, for we already have favor with God through the forgiveness bought by Christ Jesus.
4. What are your thoughts on the above?
5. Now, backtrack to Galatians 5:13-15
A. What is Paul not saying according to verse 13?
B. What principle can always guide us according to verses 14?
C. How is that elaborated on according to verse 15?
Tuesday: The Fruit of the Sinful Nature and the Fruit of the Spirit
6. Read Galatians 5:19-21
A. If instead of walking by the Spirit, we gratify the flesh, what kind of things does it lead to? List a few that stand out.
B. Why does Paul make the statement he does in verse 21? How could this be mis-interpreted?
7. Read Galatians 5:22-25
A. List the fruit of the Spirit.
B. Why do you think the Word says fruit instead of fruits?
C. Tim Keller, in the sermon you will hear over the next few days, says that if you don’t have evidences of all of the fruit, you may not have any. Why, do you think?
8. What do you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Give an illustration, if possible.
9. Pastor Beckham. of St Luke Church in Columbus, Ga, says we need to always cling to principle, but not to procedure. What do you think this means for making decisions in a church?
Wednesday-Thursday: Free Keller Sermon: How To Change
10. Listen to the following message over the next two days and share your notes and comments.
Friday: Reflecting on Keller’s Sermon
I remember taking home a planted seed from Sunday School as a child, and watching it to see if it would grow. It didn’t seem to, yet after days, I could see a little sprout appearing!
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where?
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5?
What the Law does do is lead us to Christ, for we find we simply do not have the power in ourselves to obey the Law. The best we can do in our own power is a charade — stapling on fruit for the sake of a good appearance. Pretending to be peaceful, joyful, or self-controlled.
13. Fruit is internal — not brought about by mechanical external means but by the Spirit breathing life into us. Have you experienced this? If so, share something about it.
How intriguing that Keller said that if you don’t have evidence of all the fruit, you may not have any. Your evidences of some of the fruit may simply be evidence of a pleasing Meyers-Brigg nature, rather than the Spirit producing fruit.
14. Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the fruit of the Spirit in you?
Saturday:
15. What is your take-a-way and why?
141 comments
My friend Twila, who has memorized Galatians, Romans, Hebrews, and much more, and I have been discussing this. She articulates that we are free from all the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments, for they have all been fulfilled in Christ. That doesn’t mean we are free to sin, but rather, we now live not by the Law, but by the Spirit. That Spirit, according to Romans 2:15 puts the moral law into our hearts. We are guided by the Word, but the One we obey is the Spirit, not the Law. And we obey the Spirit, not to achieve favor with God, but out of grateful joy, for we already have favor with God through the forgiveness bought by Christ Jesus.
4. What are your thoughts on the above? – I’m thankful that I am no longer enslaved to this world, but can hear the Word and obey what the Spirit says and do it with a grateful heart that shows the Lord honor.
5. Now, backtrack to Galatians 5:13-15
A. What is Paul not saying according to verse 13? – that our freedom should not be abused and used in a way that is worldly.
B. What principle can always guide us according to verses 14? – To love everyone as we love ourselves.
C. How is that elaborated on according to verse 15? – That if we aren’t loving everyone, we shouldn’t expect them to love us either. We will be butting heads and getting no where.
6. Read Galatians 5:19-21
A. If instead of walking by the Spirit, we gratify the flesh, what kind of things does it lead to? List a few that stand out. – Sexual immorality; strife, jealousy, divisions
B. Why does Paul make the statement he does in verse 21? How could this be mis-interpreted? – I think he is doing it to make sure it is embedded in our minds so we remember what could happen. I’m thinking that the misinterpretation could come if someone literally just thinks the things listed are what could keep them from entering heaven and if they do things not listed here they will be ok?
7. Read Galatians 5:22-25
A. List the fruit of the Spirit. – Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
B. Why do you think the Word says fruit instead of fruits? – Because they all point to love and loving others
C. Tim Keller, in the sermon you will hear over the next few days, says that if you don’t have evidences of all of the fruit, you may not have any. Why, do you think? – Oh wow, this hurts…I’m not always patience depending on the situation or the person, so when I’m not, I guess I’m not showing kindness, self-control or love etc. This will need to be worked on for sure.
8. What do you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Give an illustration, if possible. – Since the Spirit is the fruit, to stay in step with the Spirit we will need to also show the fruit to those we come in contact with. Well I think that Jesus gave his life for me on the cross even though I was a sinner, he showed me all of the fruit of the Spirit, so I need to give my life to others, not necessarily to die for them, but I can certainly put their cares before my own and show them the fruit of the Spirit like I was granted.
9. Pastor Beckham. of St Luke Church in Columbus, Ga, says we need to always cling to principle, but not to procedure. What do you think this means for making decisions in a church? – In light of some things happening recently in churches I think we need to always be aware of how a certain procedure may affect others. What may have worked in the past may have to be tweaked to follow what the Word says about issues. Our thinking and decisions need to be based on what the Word says.
8. What do you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Give an illustration, if possible.
To keep in step means to follow the ways of the Spirit. We should try our best to be in alignment with the fruit….to be loving, joyful, patient, etc. Yesterday I needed to stay after school with a few of my students so they could make up some very late work. One of them had recently lost her father and was not being very positive about the project she was working on. I had to use great patience and remember that she might be reacting to her home situation and just feeling overwhelmed. It took a lot to not get upset myself. I was gentle with her and had to definitely use self-control. At one point I had to walk out of the room and breathe deeply!! I want to show my students love and kindness, so I have worked really hard to not get into the mire with them. In the end she left feeling much better after I helped her get a good head start on the project. A small victory…
9. Pastor Beckham. of St Luke Church in Columbus, Ga, says we need to always cling to principle, but not to procedure. What do you think this means for making decisions in a church?
It means to stick to the doctrine but to realize the way to do that might look different for each case.
laura, what a sweet story. I was a “troubled” child and it was teachers like you that God used to not let me slip too far…. I am praying right now that that girl will remember your kindness to the glory of God! God bless you for being in tune and making such an effort to help carry her burden.
Thank you Laura for being a loving and caring teacher. I can imagine it can get pretty tough, but some of these kids only have the teachers they are assigned in their lives. You are a blessing to the students who are yours for a year.
3. Read Galatians 5:16-18
A. What two natures are on conflict with each other?
The sinful nature and the Holy Spirit are in conflict with each other. I notice the verb “are” is present tense; even after salvation, this conflict is present every day.
B. What does Paul tell us to do in verse 18? What do you think this means?
Paul tells us to be led by the Spirit; we are not under law. The cross-ref in my Bible is Romans 8:2 that the law of the Spirit set me free from the law of sin and death. I think he’s telling us to recognize and understand that we have the power to say no to sin; Jesus has set us free? We are not ‘led’ by the law to ‘try’ to be good, and when we fail, we feel condemned. There is a real conflict going on inside of me, but I can look to the Spirit to enable me to choose the right way; this ‘caterpillar in a ring of fire’ can cry out for help.
4. What are your thoughts on the above?
First, WOW that Twila has all of that memorized! Yes, I agree; the Law is not my master nor my way to justify myself. I obey God now; but even when I fail, I am not crushed under the weight of failure because my position with Him is secure.
5. Now, backtrack to Galatians 5:13-15
A. What is Paul not saying according to verse 13?
It’s great to be free from having to obey the law, but he is not saying that now we are free to do whatever we want and that it doesn’t matter if we disobey; disobedience has serious consequences.
B. What principle can always guide us according to verse 14?
Love your neighbor as yourself. When it comes down to a choice between two things, am I choosing the way of love, or selfishness; love, or hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness.
C. How is that elaborated on according to verse 15?
Choosing sin always brings death, and here, it is portrayed as death to relationships.
Love this:
There is a real conflict going on inside of me, but I can look to the Spirit to enable me to choose the right way; this ‘caterpillar in a ring of fire’ can cry out for help.
6. Read Galatians 5:19-21
A. If instead of walking by the Spirit, we gratify the flesh, what kind of things does it lead to? List a few that stand out. A long list that is prevalent in our society. The ones that stand out to me (read: convict me) are jealousy, dissension, strife, and fits of anger.
B. Why does Paul make the statement he does in verse 21? How could this be mis-interpreted? It could be mis-interpreted as a works-based salvation statement, an assertion to not do the things on the list for fear of rejection from heaven. I think Paul makes his statement to identify red flags for us. If I see these things I can be aware that I am not allowing the Spirit to lead me, assure me, claim me.
7. Read Galatians 5:22-25
A. List the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience (I prefer long suffering), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
B. Why do you think the Word says fruit instead of fruits? I’ve listened to the Keller sermon so my answer is influenced. I don’t know if I ever would have noticed without him pointing it out.
C. Tim Keller says that if you don’t have evidence of all the fruit, you may not have any. Why, do you think? Because you get ALL the Spirit, not part of Him. However I do think that they can develop at different rates due to personality and challenges, but they are all there.
caution here: I have, unfortunately, heard people use this list to decide whether or not someone else is “truly saved.” And while there certainly is a conviction and concern if ALL the fruit is not present, it is NOT a checklist for me to be judgemental of others. Only the Father can truly know the heart.
8. What do you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Give an illustration if possible. I think it means simply to hear and obey. When I put off obedience or argue within myself why it is not logical to do x, y, or z, I stumble and am out of step. An illustration? Well, I never get out of step but my friend…. 😜 just kidding! The best illustration I can think of in my life is when I know what I am to do but put it off. Like getting up early to get started on serving my family but I hit snooze (several times 🙄) and then I am scrambling the rest of the day, never truly back in step. Is it technically a “sin” to hit snooze? No. But when the Spirit is leading me to be up and ahead of my children to serve well and selflessly then I am out of step with Him and inhibitory to His moving in my life and my sphere of people. In that perspective I am convicted that it is indeed a sin (in my situation and heart) because I am choosing selfishness over obedience.
9. Pastor Beckham of St Luke Church in Columbus, GA says we need to always cling to principle, but not to procedure. What do you think this means for making decisions in a church? To seek the Word for truths that apply to the situation instead of making iron-clad by-laws. Coming from a church who clung to procedure via their by-laws it was suffocating and, frankly, ridiculous at times. The overarching feeling was fear of doing the wrong thing (clinging to procedure) whereas if you cling to principle you allow you and your body of believers to walk with the Spirit.
Laura- following up with two items.
1. I talked to my catholic/Muslim friend about Hagar. She says that yes, they do recognize the Ishmael came from Abraham (Ibriham) through Hagar but they would consider the true Father and Mother of Islam to be the prophet Mohammed and his wife Khadijah as they were chosen by Allah.
2. I am looking for the sermon I referenced. I listened last night to the ne I thought it came from but it wasn’t. I’ll keep listening. 👍It may indeed be the same one you listened to…?
Thanks Jill! I’m going to log onto Gospel life and see which one I think it is. I’ll be back in touch!
The sermon I have is called “Sex and the End of Loneliness.”
6. Read Galatians 5:19-21
A. If instead of walking by the Spirit, we gratify the flesh, what kind of things does it lead to? List a few that stand out.
sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies.
Convicting that amidst what we call the “greater sins” like sexual immorality, Paul put them together with what I sometimes think as “lesser sins” like jealousy.
B. Why does Paul make the statement he does in verse 21? How could this be mis-interpreted?
Anyone who does this will not inherit the kingdom of God. That if you engage in any of these you will not be saved (inherit the kingdom of God).
7. Read Galatians 5:22-25
A. List the fruit of the Spirit.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control
B. Why do you think the Word says fruit instead of fruits?
They all go together
B.Tim Keller, in the sermon you will hear over the next few days, says that if you don’t have evidences of all of the fruit, you may not have any. Why, do you think?
They all spring from love?
8. What do you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Give an illustration, if possible.
Probably one of the hardest thing to do since my default button is to keep in step with my natural man.
An illustration: We were at district contest for SkillsUSA. I had the option to just sit at the college library to read or work on papers I am behind in class but I felt the Spirit telling me to be with my students. So I did. We went on a scavenger hunt for 24 items(so the kids get to know the campus) and I had a blast. It wore me out running around with 17 year olds but it was worth it. I feel like I was in step with the Spirit.
Great illustration, Bing.
9. Pastor Beckham. of St Luke Church in Columbus, Ga, says we need to always cling to principle, but not to procedure. What do you think this means for making decisions in a church?
We are going through this right now with church membership in terms of what type of baptism. Jill, I agree with you that clinging to by-laws can be suffocating and leads to fear rather than the freedom we all have in Christ
Bing, I read of this in a previous week. I am sorry to hear that it is happening. I am praying right now that God would allow this tension to turn into good conversations and deepening relationship/understanding between people rather than dividing. That all would step back and seek to understand truth AND each other.
Jill,
♥️♥️♥️ I love your response to number 8 regarding staying in step with the Holy Spirit. There are, undoubtedly, things that are a sin for all people, but your example of obeying the Holy Spirit’s leading is good. I believe God wants to walk closely with us in the little things if we would let him.
10. Tim Keller, How To Change
A. The nature of Christian change. This is implied in ‘the fruit of the Spirit’.
Change is a gradual, growth process. Because it is gradual, you can’t see it as it is happening. You have to look back to measure it. Some seasons have faster growth than others. It is even mysterious. Often we have to go through testing to know that we have grown. You need to have patience for the whole process.
Change is inevitable. You will grow; you must. Remember that you are not saved by fruit, nor are you saved by fruitless faith.
Change is internal. It is more complex than helping others. It has to happen on the inside of a person.
Change is symmetrical. All nine of the fruit are one. They all go together, intertwined.
B. Need to crucify the sinful nature with its over desires. Keep in step with the Spirit. The Spirit lusts for Jesus. Keep looking to see how beautiful Jesus is. Galations talks of the works of the flesh and also of the fruit. You can’t make yourself produce the fruit. It is a matter of crucifying the sinful nature and simultaneously seeking Jesus.
Wednesday – Thursday
10. Listen to the following message over the next two days and share your notes and comments.
Galatians 5:16-18;23-25
How to Change
How to, through faith in Christ, through the gospel, through the Holy Spirit experience lasting, deep, permanent radical change.
We have to understand the nature, pattern and process of change.
Nature…there are four things implied in the phrase “the fruit of the Spirit.”
Gradual
Inevitable
Internal
Symmetrical
The first two have to come together. The word fruit is used because Paul is deliberately evoking a metaphor of botanical growth. Christian change is as gradual as a turnip, potato or flower growing. You can never really see growth happening, it can only be measured. The growth in these graces is very gradual, seasonal mysterious, slow, almost invisible, in other words you have to be very patient. We may be growing but sometimes you can’t tell until a difficulty or trouble comes, saying a couple years ago I would of never been this patient, but when asked while sitting there, do you feel patient, you’d say no. What is the seed that is producing the fruit? The hard side of this is Christian growth is inevitable. If you have the Spirit of God in you, there will be change, you will worry less, you will become more patient, you will become a more loving person, you will become wiser, you will be able to face your troubles, you must! Acorn under a gravestone grows up to be a big oak tree and splits the stone…the acorn will always win. Botanical growth has that kind of power in its gradualness. If Botanical growth has that kind of power, what kind of power will the Spirit of God have? We’re not saved by fruit, we’re saved by faith but you will never be saved by fruitless faith. Real faith that brings in the Spirit of God will inevitably lead to growth. You cannot know if you’re a Christian if you’re not changing. Gradual – Inevitable…keep them together, you can be a long time under that slab. If you’re not growing don’t you dare give excuses…Shame on you.
Internal
What is the fruit of the Spirit? There is a difference between mechanical, external growth and botanical, internal growth. Luther and Wesley were very religious, wrote books, taught the Bible and gave alms to the poor, shared the faith and instructed the wayward. Did all these good deeds but they weren’t growing themselves. 1 Corinthians 13…doing things without love, patience, kindness etc. amounts to nothing. They were doing all these mechanical things but were still rude and without self- control. He’s not saying you’re not a Christian but it is possible out of a desire to prove yourself and to feel superior to other people. Using your talents to change people around you and say I’m growing. If people’s lives are being changed through you but your life isn’t being changed, fly to Him immediately. We’re looking at how people are being helped by us…counseling, leading a Bible Study etc…all mechanical but none are the fruit of the Spirit…it’s a fruit of their spirit. If people’s lives are being changed by you and you’re not changing, you don’t even know if you’re a Christian. Not saying you aren’t, but real Christian change has to be internal.
Symmetrical
Paul doesn’t use the plural of fruit because all of these are one. There is a concatenation of the graces of Christianity. If you want to know if the love, joy, peace etc that is growing in your life is real
and not counterfeit.
Concatenated means…
A)That all these graces go together. Example, real peace always goes with humility, it is from the Spirit. Worry is arrogant, a refusal to assume a humble posture before God. James 4:13,14…anybody who worries thinks they know. Peace from the Spirit says, God you know what I need, You know what has to happen..I don’t know!
B)They’re interdependent. Example, a lot of people think they have real self-control but you can’t have real self-control without joy. The reason you get addicted to things is because you don’t have any real joy. There’s a counterfeit self-control that comes not from humility and joy but from pride. Telling a boy not to cry because he’s acting like a girl and then he doesn’t cry, that self-control is arrogant because it makes him feel superior to girls.
C)They all come together. Peace and joy promote integrity. The word goodness is really sincerity. Integrity is a person who is the same everywhere you go…that is a person who is sincere. If we’re tolerant or accepting of others, it’s not coming from humility and joy, it’s just a way of dealing with your own conscience.
How does all of this develop?
Are these things growing in my life? If they are, celebrate. If they’re not growing in your life than realize, here I am sitting down and I’m willing to live at this low level when I have absolutely no excuse to do so.
Those that belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its over desires. Since we live by the Spirit let us keep in step with the Spirit. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit desires what is contrary to the sinful nature. There’s always two things if you want to grow in grace…1)crucify the sinful nature, find those things which are too important to you, more important than Jesus Christ that are running your life and creating the works of the flesh. 2)Keep in step with the Spirit. The Spirit is in love with Jesus, we are the bride He is the bridegroom and the Spirit is the best man and the maid of honor. The Spirit is the person who has brought us together saying “look how beautiful He is, and the reason you worry or don’t have self- control is because you don’t see how beautiful Christ is. It doesn’t say in Galatians 5 the fruit of the Spirit is this and the weeds of the flesh are this because the works of the flesh is something you do, but the fruit of the Spirit is only something you open yourself to. A Gardner doesn’t make things grow, he just creates the conditions through which the power of the seed is released. Lust for Jesus, Galatians 5:17
Such good notes for all of us, Sharon.
Thanks, Sharon. I went for a bullet approach to my notes and glad I have yours to complete my sentences and thoughts.
10. Tim Keller notes and comments. Sharon has already listed the 4 components of the nature of Christian change that Tim Keller described. Of those four, the one that stood out the most to me was the internal nature of the changes…this was described as being “organic”vs. “mechanical”. Mechanical is like adding more logs to your wood pile to make it bigger…I can build up my list of accomplishments or my resume…but I can’t just add the external behaviors of love, joy, peace, etc. by my own works…maybe I can achieve some of these behaviors temporarily but that house of cards comes tumbling down when my life circumstances get hard. Organic or internal change is like what happens as a baby grows into a toddler then to a child…it happens internally by no effort on their part…it is intrinsic or part of the nature of a living thing. In that way, the fruit of the Spirit must manifest itself in my life, because I have been born again with a new spiritual nature…it is who I am! Lord, may I yearn for and long for more of You and to grow ever more like You.
10. Some notes from Keller’s sermon.
– Refers to botany; the fruit of the Spirit
– it takes time to grow
– need patience; you can’t see the growth
– each part of the fruit is connected. They are interdependent. (I don’t understand many of his examples, but I understand this dependence) I need to go back and listen again.
– you grow by crucifying your sinful nature.
– keep in step with the Spirit. The Spirit lusts for Jesus. We need to get closer to Jesus.
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth?
I think it is always hardest to see your own growth and probably also the growth of those you live with, so this is hard to answer. It feels like some areas grow so slowly that any change is almost imperceptible.
If so, where? But I would say that I have grown the most in peace and faithfulness For the Lord has been working on the issue of my trusting Him instead of relying on my own self-sufficiency which is my default.
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5? He who abides…bears much fruit…without Me…nothing.
13.Fruit is internal -not brought about by external, mechanical means but by the Spirit breathing life into us.
Have you experienced this?
I have certainly experienced much more of the mechanical…for I have that deadly Myers- Briggs niceness that Keller mentioned in his sermon…and the culture tends to pile on accolades for those who have these positive traits and it gets very easy to point to those things as evidence of my fruitfulness. And I think that my circumstances of the past 3-4 years have been ordained by God to strip that false fruit away.
If so, share something about that. At this point, what I see in my life is a lot of bruised and broken, but I have a sense that God is pleased in the growing depth of my dependence on Him and the realness of the fruit. Crushed fruit can give off more of its fragrance.
14.Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the fruit of the Spirit in you?
Keller’s description of what he meant by symmetry was helpful for me…to me symmetry means the same on both sides…same sizes, shapes, color patterns, etc. But he described symmetry more as each “fruit” being spiritual or of the Spirit in nature instead of some being of the spirit and some being of the flesh. For example, the peace that is displayed in my life might really be evidence of my self-reliance and easy life circumstances rather than evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. So, in that light, I would say that as I am learning to submit to His pruning away the fruits of my flesh, I am now able to see more of the buds of His fruit. I am glad He is the gardener who knows just how to care for me and provide the exact conditions that I need to grow! But, what a hard lesson it is, to learn to submit to my Master for these life circumstances have been so painful and hard! I can now rejoice a bit more easily knowing that the Spirit is breathing life into my life and fruit will come.
Such a sweet and humble confession. Love your heart, Lucy.
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where? I do think I see growth but I feel that it is the first five or ten years of the 600 year-old acorn trying to break through the marble slab (read: very slow). The growth I see is less self-centeredness, which manifests as the fruit towards others instead of expecting all others to have fruit towards me….
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5? Christ says that whoever abides in Him will have much fruit, for without Him no one can do anything.
13. Fruit is internal – not brought about by mechanical external means but by the Spirit breathing life into us. Have you experienced this? If so, share something about it. This is the truth that has brought me back time and time again to Jesus. The phrase “I’m working on that…” makes me cringe, especially when I say it… there is value in purposefully trying to build habits that are in step with the Spirit but the crux of the ‘problem’ is that the beauty of Christ has not penetrated deep enough. So my ‘bad behavior’ should not automatically drive me toward determination to ‘do better’ (which is guilt and works-based value) but rather drive me to the Word, the Truth, the Life.
My sons and I were talking about this yesterday… why do Christians still act bad? The analogy we came up with was hot cocoa. When you become a Christian God dumps the powder of the Holy Spirit into your hot cup of life. But if you don’t mix it it won’t fully change the water. Therefore, when things don’t look/taste good, we don’t try to dump in more (act better) we instead need to mix it (which is meditating, reading, praying, studying, and memorizing the Word) letting the Holy Spirit already in us continue to change us.
Our behavior comes from our beliefs therefor we must let God change what we believe (Romans 12:2- NLT – “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Jill — that’s good. C. S. Lewis addresses this question beautifully in the close of Mere Christianity as well.
♥️ Love this, “our behavior come from our beliefs”! I believe the world sees the Bible as a book of dos and don’ts and many Christians do too! The truth is we are to read the Bible to discover who we are. This belief will change our behavior.
Such an important truth, Tami!
14. Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the fruit of the Spirit in you? I listed all these out and looked at many translations (including the Orthodox Jew Bible?! Interesting.) to honestly decipher whether I could answer “yes” to this question. For it is “yes” or “no” according to Keller, no “some.” After prayer and reflection, I do think I can see buds of the Spirit in my life, but I also see fear pruning them back and am convicted this morning to continue to seek Him.
Friday
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where?
I agree with Lucy H., this is hard to answer. I need to ask someone else, not myself, as Tim Keller said😜. I trust that there has been growth but there are days where it seems I take two steps forward and one step back.
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5?
If we have a mutual relationship with Jesus Christ, abiding in Him and He in us, we will produce much fruit! Separated from Him…no fruit will be produced.
13. Fruit is internal-not brought about by mechanical external means but by the Spirit breathing life into us. Have you experienced this? If so, share something about it.
This was a real eye-opener for me. It is so human to measure growth externally. It’s like we have to prove to ourselves and others that all the mechanical things are evidence that we’re spiritual and God will love us more. I’m going to be very honest, I’m still trying to grasp this. In doing this study I’ve realized how deep the the claws of works righteousness are embedded in me. I am seeing glimpses of the Spirit breathing life into me.
14. Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the Spirit in you?
I do see buds (like this word). God has given me love for others, which puts joy in my heart and gives me a peace. But, I am reminded, they are buds.
10. Listen to the following message over the next two days and share your notes and comments. – WOW, I will have to listen again, so many good things I heard but wasn’t able to really ponder on, since I was listening while at work but here is what I did get…Christian change, Fruit of the Spirit is gradual, is inevitable, it’s internal and symmetrical. The gradual process goes along with inevitable, IF you have the Spirit of God in you. If you have the Spirit of God in you, your changes will be PERMANENT.
I like how he explained organic growth and mechanical, if I got this understanding, organic growth will take time and is strong though starts out little will be strong, like the growth of an acorn dropping to the ground and mechanical growth is not internal and is not alive. Is this right?
When he was talking about worry, how he said when we worry, we are thinking that we have answers to how things should transpire, but we don’t have that knowledge, the knowing is from God.
This was good too, If you want to grow in grace you need to…Crucify sinful nature – those things more important than Jesus; and Keep in step with the Spirit, he is in love with Jesus and is the one who brought us together. LOVE THIS. We can’t make ourselves loving, we need to lust for Jesus, and we will have his help.
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where? – For me the understanding of scripture is popping out, I have more AHAH moments. I know scripture will mean different things to us at different time depending on where we are in our lives, but when reading scripture, I’m seeing more in the verse then I have before. I think my scripture reading is more important to me know then just checking a box that I did it each day.
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5? – I have this promise as long as I abide in Christ and keep Him with me.
13. Fruit is internal — not brought about by mechanical external means but by the Spirit breathing life into us. Have you experienced this? If so, share something about it. – For the most part I think I am a peaceful person. When my sister died suddenly, I was at peace with it and my older sister (who is not a follower) asked how I could be so peaceful at this time. I tried explaining to her that I just have to trust in the Lord to know that for whatever reason her passing happened, he is in control of the situation. I’m not sure I got through to her at that point or if I ever will, but I know I planted seeds and someone will hopefully be appointed to water them.
14. Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the fruit of the Spirit in you? – I would be sad if just having one strong, dominant fruit would mean I’m not following the Lord. But I do believe that I have sprouts of others. Being human and imperfect, I know I am a work in progress and need to continue to work on having all of the fruit of the Spirit be full grown.
11. Can I see growth? The thing that first stands out to me is the change in my attitude toward very young children. The thought of being in charge of a group of them used to fill me with a desire to escape. But now, I connect with them and no longer find the idea intimidating. And I know it is easier to hold my tongue when talking with my husband.
12. Jesus says if we remain in Him we WILL not just fruit, but much fruit. What an encouragement!
13. I’ve experienced the internalness of growth both when it didn’t come from my stirring or striving, and when it reveals God’s character and not mine. It also seems very subtle at the start, yet very real. Just like buds.
14. Do I see all nine? If Keller is right that you can’t have one without the others, then I must. The children thing was especially striking when it ‘bloomed’, so I must have the others also and just not as aware of them.
15. What is my take away? The abiding. I’ve never explored this so deeply before. I am seeing that I need to continually dig into Him throughout my day. It is hard for me to put into words, but obvious to me. I’m still a little confused about where Paul says to work out your salvation, and striving with all His power, but I know God wants me to get this.
Mary — the following comment of yours reminds me of Tim Keller’s admonition in his Romans 7 sermons: If you don’t get this, keep at it, for it is so important.
What is my take away? The abiding. I’ve never explored this so deeply before. I am seeing that I need to continually dig into Him throughout my day. It is hard for me to put into words, but obvious to me. I’m still a little confused about where Paul says to work out your salvation, and striving with all His power, but I know God wants me to get this.
My take-away: to keep stirring! Not for my selfish fears but for the glory of God, to experience His sweetness over and over again.
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where?
I have never studied so much scripture as I have the last 10 years. I believe I have grown.
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5?
Jesus says if you remain in Him you will bear fruit. It will happen.
14. Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the fruit of the Spirit in you?
I hope to have each each of these growing within me. I do think I have buds of each, and hopefully they are increasing. The one(s) that I might struggle with is patience and self-control. I am more patient as I get older, and I do have some self-control with certain things. This is my weakest link!
I missed this one…
13. Fruit is internal — not brought about by mechanical external means but by the Spirit breathing life into us. Have you experienced this? If so, share something about it.
The Spirit has reminded me to enjoy every minute of life. This means to not fret, get angry, or worry. These emotions suck the life out of us. Instead, the Spirit has given me an appreciation for even the smallest things; a sunrise, a child’s hug, or just knowing God is always overseeing my life. I am free to live without those negative emotions, because I know He is in charge.
wonderful Laura:
The Spirit has reminded me to enjoy every minute of life. This means to not fret, get angry, or worry. These emotions suck the life out of us. Instead, the Spirit has given me an appreciation for even the smallest things; a sunrise, a child’s hug, or just knowing God is always overseeing my life. I am free to live without those negative emotions, because I know He is in charge.
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where?
My best barometer of this is my friend who tells me that I have grown, she pointed out in ways I could believe, how much my depression around the holidays decreased this year.
I know I struggle less believing that God loves me than before, though I still struggle. I am less concerned about what people think of me that before, but still too concerned.
My stomach is less my god than it used to be…I really can see change in this area. 🙂
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5?
Jesus says that when we abide in him we WILL be bearing much fruit
14. Fruit is symmetrical. Do you see at least the buds of the various descriptions of the fruit of the Spirit in you?
I do feel like I have grown in the fruit of the Spirit, the one I long to grow in the most is Love. I want to value other humans as God does. This passage convicts me:
Luke 6:32-36
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
My natural man wants to place a value on others as they value me. Christ rescues us while we are his enemies…I want a softer heart towards people, even the ones I don’t naturally like.
Great prayer for all of us:
I want a softer heart towards people, even the ones I don’t naturally like.
I ended up with multiple appointments this week and just couldn’t get on here as I’d hoped, and it’s such a good lesson! This is also one of my favorite Keller sermons that I listen to on a regular basis, I need the continual reminder. The acorn example never fails to give me hope! I love that change is inevitable for the Christian–we can’t always see it or feel it, but it can be measured. There are seasons, which implies there is always growth coming.Once we have the Spirit, change, growth, is guaranteed.
I also need to be reminded that fruit is singular–you cannot have one, the graces go together. There are “fake” fruits–I may be able to appear gentle but it’s really my own fear. It’s frightening to think about how easy it is to manufacture my own counterfeit fruit. I can do the same actions that may appear very nice and selfless, and yet they are done out of a desire for approval–that is not real fruit.
This time listening I was more struck by how real peace comes from humility. That stuck with me. Any time I am anxious or worried, not at peace–it is because I want to know, I think I should know, or I want to control–but when I accept that He knows, and He is in control, when I humble myself under Him, I have peace. I tend to think true humility is the answer to having all of the true fruit. Pride in some form, whether insecurity or approval-seeking–my pride is always at the root of that fake fruit. It looks good at first glance, but you get a little closer and, no.
To grow in grace, I must crucify your sinful nature, and keep in step with the Spirit. Humble myself, recognizing I have no good in me apart from the Spirit.
I’ve been listening to a sermon from Piper on Galatians, I wanted to share this: “If you are led by the Spirit (i.e., led by him to obey the law), then you are not under law.” You are not “under law” in two senses. First, you are not under the law’s condemnation because you are fulfilling the just requirement of the law. That’s what Paul meant in Romans 8:4 where he said that Christ died “in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk according to the Spirit.” When you walk by the Spirit, you fulfill the basic requirement of the law and so you are not under its condemnation. The second sense in which we are not under law when we “walk by the Spirit” or are “led by the Spirit” is that then we don’t feel the pinch or burden of the law demanding of us what we have no desire to do. When the Spirit is leading us by producing godly desires, then the commands of God are not a burden but a joy. So in that sense too, walking by the Spirit frees us from being under the law. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17).”
I am humbled by the power we are given in the Spirit. I don’t think I meditate on that enough. It truly is an incredible mercy that we are given the Spirit within us, working in us “to will and to work for his good pleasure”.(Phil. 2:13) I wish I could have participated more, but I am so thankful for this week and the renewed awareness of the Spirit and living in step with Him, not grieving or quenching Him.
I really like Piper’s 2nd point — reminds me of 1 John that loving God means his commands are not burdensome.
Your appreciation of Piper helps me appreciate him better.
“I also need to be reminded that fruit is singular–you cannot have one, the graces go together. There are “fake” fruits–I may be able to appear gentle but it’s really my own fear. It’s frightening to think about how easy it is to manufacture my own counterfeit fruit. I can do the same actions that may appear very nice and selfless, and yet they are done out of a desire for approval–that is not real fruit.” This is very true and very convicting, Lizzy.
11. Fruit is gradual. You may feel you are not growing, but if you look back five or ten years, can you see growth? If so, where?
I am finding myself more loving of people who have different opinions than me. I am more secure in who I am in Christ.
12. Fruit is inevitable! How can you see this promise in John 15:5?
If I abide in Christ, I will bear much fruit. I have to be attached organically to the vine (Jesus) in order for growth to take place. And the wonderful thing is because I am attached to the vine which is Jesus, the kind of fruit I will bear will be akin to the vine. I will be more and more like Jesus as I mature in the vine.
What the Law does do is lead us to Christ, for we find we simply do not have the power in ourselves to obey the Law. The best we can do in our own power is a charade — stapling on fruit for the sake of a good appearance. Pretending to be peaceful, joyful, or self-controlled.
13. Fruit is internal — not brought about by mechanical external means but by the Spirit breathing life into us. Have you experienced this? If so, share something about it.
Not sure if I am tracking right here. I thought maybe the mechanical externals are the ones that are of the law such as things like “do not lie”. Things that are seen by people. A check off list.
Bu that of the Spirit are changes of the heart. Sometimes you just can’t explain it. Like peace-even when the storms of life are going on-there is a spiritual reserve that is unexplainable.
For me, there is a strong urge to perform either at school or at church. And it can come in the pretense of “doing it for the glory of God”. Yes, it does start there but can often insidiously turn into prideful self. The Spirit helps me rein that in by His still small voice. And when success comes whether for somebody else, I can be honestly rejoicing in it.
Vulnerable and true for many of us, if not all!
For me, there is a strong urge to perform either at school or at church. And it can come in the pretense of “doing it for the glory of God”. Yes, it does start there but can often insidiously turn into prideful self. The Spirit helps me rein that in by His still small voice. And when success comes whether for somebody else, I can be honestly rejoicing in it.
6. Read Galatians 5:19-21
A. If instead of walking by the Spirit, we gratify the flesh, what kind of things does it lead to? List a few that stand out.
Giving into my flesh will lead to things like sexual immorality and impurity, idolatry, discord, jealousy/envy, and selfishness.
B. Why does Paul make the statement he does in verse 21? How could this be mis-interpreted?
He gives a stern warning here about choosing the way of the flesh. I don’t believe he’s advocating a checklist that if you can say, “I don’t do these things”, then you have a sort of self-righteousness that will get you into heaven. However, it reminds me of a passage in one of the letters of John, which cautions that those who continually practice sin do not belong to God. Paul says, “those who live like this”….it connotes a way of life and perhaps not being convicted of sin.
7. Read Galatians 5:22-25
A. List the fruit of the Spirit.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
B. Why do you think the Word says fruit instead of fruits?
Fruit is a singular word, so I think all of these go together as one; they are all manifestations of the Spirit within us.
C. Tim Keller, in the sermon you will hear over the next few days, says that if you don’t have evidences of all of the fruit, you may not have any. Why, do you think?
Hmmm…..back in Galatians 5:14, Paul says that the entire law is summed up in “love your neighbor as yourself”. The first fruit on the list is love. I think they are all inter-connected….how could you have kindness and faithfulness, but not have love? How could you have love, but have no self-control (as in you unleash your bad temper on whoever, whenever, and don’t care if it hurts them?).
8. What do you think it means to “keep in step with the Spirit?” Give an illustration, if possible.
If I am living by the Spirit, as Paul says, I need to keep in step with Him. I need to ‘keep up with Him’, to follow Him closely and even try to walk beside Him (metaphorically). I can’t lag way behind, or turn off on a different path. I think this is referring to fellowship as well? An example: I find it hard to go for walks with my husband. He’s taller and has longer legs, and walks faster than me, so I’m usually about 3 or 4 feet behind him. It’s not very fun for me because we can’t talk to each other like that. He says it hurts his legs to walk slower for me. I rather feel like I’m walking by myself. Perhaps this is a warning against drifting from God.
That’s a good parallel with 1 John, Susan.
I smiled to hear it hurts his legs to walk slower. I haven’t heard that one before! Maybe it’s true! Hmmmm…. But it hurts your heart for him to walk faster… 🙂