It’s Time For a Little Galatians
We seem to be losing our way in this world. Without Jesus we’ve always been lost, but now we have added unfettered hate and violence. The only antidote to this is Love. Sacrificial Love. The Love of Jesus Christ that says love your neighbor as yourself. The Jesus who says don’t hate but love your enemies. The Jesus who says forgive those who have done wrong to you….and if you don’t God your Father in Heaven won’t forgive you. Those are tough words and difficult marching orders, but in them are the keys to a peaceful life.
So how do we get from where we are to the place we need to be? The Apostle Paul in Galatians 5 spoke of things that will mess up your life such as sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and the like and keep you from inheriting the Kingdom of God. But in verse 22 he goes on to give the antidote: “But the Fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” You see if we will give our lives over to Jesus and submit to His Lordship, the work He did on the Cross, crucifying our sinful nature with its passions and desires, will allow us to live by the Spitit and keep step with the Spirit. That’s the only way this world is ever going to be changed. You, me and Jesus.
There’s an amazing story that’s waiting to be written. Don’t let anyone keep you from adding your chapter. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control………..and you.
Twenty7:7Teen 
March 23, 2020 at 10:26 PM
We have been discussing in our study of Genesis that love and forgiveness are all possible because we trust God’s way of doing things. We trust he is in control and that makes it possible for us to forgive others. We also talked about how self control is often forgotten about being a fruit of the spirit. It is actually how we are made in the image of God. We have self control and we can tell our selfish desires “no”. Animals can’t do that. God created us very good and he gave us self control. And if we can trust him, we can love and forgive others. That is what we must do if we are to help save the world. Thanks for your thoughts Jim!