Image from ttglutheran.wordpress.com
Hear the podcast: https://bit.ly/3tNRjNQ See on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uKbc0tMqwSg
1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:1, 13-25 NRSV)
Greetings, dear Friend, from Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth, which was celebrated on the 19th and 20th this year. This is a very important holiday celebrating the day the news of Emancipation reached Texas shores. There was no way to text or post or Insta-anything; the news arrived by ship to Galveston, TX, and federal troops brought the news almost two years after the fact. President Abraham Lincoln has passed the Emanicipation Proclamation, and brought an end to a horrible practice of humans owning other humans. The day has become a day of great rejoicing and celebration of freedom.
Freedom means a lot of things to different people, but the overall aspect is that no one should be owned or controled or held or managed by another. The very first verse of this passage declares, through Christ Jesus, we have freedom from sin and death. No longer can the bonds of fear and enslavement to that which is bringing death, both physical and spiritual, hold us away from the freedom that Jesus came to give you and me. The entire passage speaks of the world of opportunities open to us, through love, to help one another achieve true freedom, with God's help, to become those whose lives model a positive influence towards others. The motivating verse is the one quoted, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Anything less that that is a sin, and is guided by the flesh and its desires. To live by the Spirit is to be led by God's Holy Spirit to do what is right and just. And, just in case you don't remember, Paul shares two lists; one of the flesh works, and the Spirit works. Compare the two.
The works of the flesh, Paul writes, are "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmitites, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these." Paul pretty well covers them all. One cannot argue with him; where the Holy Spirit is absent, pretty much anything goes, and does. And usually for nothing good. These are the very things that have so many enslaved to its passions. I read this morning a quote that said to be enslaved by these things we can do it by ourselves, but to be released from these, takes the person of Jesus Christ to help free us.
Please note Paul's choice of words to describe the things of the flesh and the things of the Spirit; Works versus Fruits. Works seems so more techical and mechanical versus Fruits which more describe the completed blossom of growth of something plants. The works of the flesh come from almost a reaction or response to inner desires and lusts, while fruits of the Spirit is more of a labor of love, God's love for us, and for us to receive His Spirit and enjoy His fruits blesses us and helps us bless others. Look at Paul's lists of the fruits of the Spirit as "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." What a list! And who can argue against such fruits? Who couldn't use more love, or joy, or peace in their lives? And what family or church would not desire more patience, kindness, or generosity? And does the world not need more faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? And these are also the result of "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit." All I can think to say is Amen!
PRAYER: Loving Father, bless us again with the power to surrender ourselves to You and ask You to help us put to death the harmful, hurtful, things that are killing us. And help us to be free enough to enjoy the fruits of Thy Spirit, so we may be blessed and learn to bless others with the desired fruits that bless and unite us. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen!
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Be a person of love, joy, peace and patience today!
Receive my blessings of joy and love,
Pastor Eradio Valverde
