Galatians 5:22

The epistle to Galatia was intended to correct the Galatians, having turned to a false gospel of salvation achieved by works, by returning them to the true gospel of salvation by the grace of God through faith in Christ. Within this letter Paul writes extensively of the bondage which results from our attempt at adherence to the law (works, deeds) and its opposition to the liberty that is found in Christ. Moreover, Paul illustrates the stark contrast of the fruit of our works performed in the flesh with all of its corrupt manifestations from the fruit that is of the Holy Spirit. The fruits (deeds) of the flesh are enunciated immediately prior to our subject verse and include; immorality, impurity, idolatry, enmities, strife, outbursts of anger, dissensions, envying, carousing.... you get the picture. (Gal. 5:19-21) Contrarily, Paul continues in verse 22 with a description of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which is; love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, humility and self-control.

The purpose of the law, which no man can keep, is to convict us of our sinfulness and impress upon our heart that we are in need of a savior. In other words, it points us to the completed work that only Jesus (God) could do. Jesus is the only one who can keep the whole law and whose motives are pure. He willingly died on the cross in our place for our sins. In Christ we are freed from the law that condemns us and are free in Christ to produce fruit for His kingdom through a Spirit-led life. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not by works , it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:8-10)

How do we walk in these good works? Paul writes that God will complete the good work that He started in us. (Phi. 1:6) God does that through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "...the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things..." (Joh. 14:26) This process of completion (sanctification; to make holy) is performed through the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us we exercise His fruits in place of ours. In so doing we become more like Christ and are enabled to perform the good works that God prepared in advance for us to do. We do these works within the liberty of Jesus' completed work on the cross and by the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,faith, humility and self-control.

To God be the glory