Galatians 5:22-25 NRSV

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. 

Reflection:

This month is a time when making commitments and resolutions is fresh on the minds of many. There’s just something about crossing into a new year that is motivational. There’s hope for something new, something good. But we can begin to cross into dangerous territory when we get bound up by rigid “laws” we’ve made hoping that they will lead us to achieving success.

 

This chapter in Galatians begins with a call to liberation from the old ways and offers the new way of living by the Spirit. The recipients of this letter were very concerned with the Law-caught up in it. I can hear them now- “give us a list of dos and don’ts like we’re used to! This new Christian life is way too wishy washy!” Laws, rules, and very specific guidelines are comforting, but they are not liberating. We, being set free in Christ, are no longer bound up by the rigidity of the Law. 

 

At this time of year it’s tempting to formulate “laws” around our new year commitments. But the Spirit brings to our lives something greater than self-imposed laws around resolutions. We commit to live by the Spirit and thus receive the liberative movement of grace. The Spirit gives us principles by which to live. The fruit of the Spirit is not a mere set of laws, but instead these virtues can be applied to anything.

 

So when we feel called to make a commitment for our health, finances, relationship, etc we can do them through the lens of the fruit. Being guided by the Spirit we can lovingly commit to changes and shifts in our lifestyle. When we decide to move toward a goal our actionable steps are decided with joy, peace and patience. When we stumble a bit or veer off path we can course-correct with kindness and generosity. When we pursue new ways we can do so with a desire to be faithful instead of seeking achievement. And finally we can offer ourselves gentleness alongside self-control.

 

Perhaps you’ve made some commitments or resolutions for this year. Way to go! You’re seeking good things for your life and others. If you haven’t already, might you run each one through the Fruit of the Spirit and ask God how you might adjust where needed? May we welcome in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

 

Prayer:

Holy Spirit,

This year I offer my hopes and desires to you and I name them now. ________________  Would you guide me as I commit each day to the ways you’re leading me? Would you show me how these gifts will help me serve and love others? Would you bless me to live out the fruits of the Spirit in all that I do? I want to live by the Spirit and be guided by the Spirit. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.