Galatians 5:22-26
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
This is the scripture passage that talks about the “fruits of the Spirit” – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I like how these are described in The Message translation…“affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.”
In this letter to the Galatians, Paul talks of killing off – or crucifying – any desire for our own way and “mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities.” In The Living Bible, this is presented as nailing these attitudes to the cross. Quite honestly, it’s time for some of us to pick up a hammer and some nails and get busy!
Too many people want to claim the name of Jesus while judging those in our midst. We say we love others with the love of Christ, but then we discriminate about those who are “different” in some way. We rail against those who would dare to enter our country and seek a better life for themselves and their families. We criticize efforts to help improve the lives of those who need a financial boost of some kind. We gripe and complain and suggest that anyone in need, “Get a job!” – as if everything were that simple.
I watched a fictional TV show recently about a for-profit hospital. The new medical director suggested that the staff only treat those who could afford to pay for services, and this would “weed out” those who were putting a financial strain on the facility and make everything – and everyone – better and more productive. Sadly, I had the thought that we are not all that far from making this a reality in some situations. In many instances, some have decided that many people are not worth the effort – or the expense.
Too many “Christians” have decided that we don’t need to offer anyone help to get out of poverty…extra funds and resources to improve educational opportunities…better housing…or affordable health care. Let them scrimp and scrape – and figure it out somehow! Truly, too many of us are claiming to be Spirit-filled Christians while doing everything we can to get our own way. If satisfying our personal whims comes at the expense of others, so be it. Too many have taken the phrase “God will provide” to mean, “God will provide for me – the rest of the world is on its own!”
Again I say, it’s time to take out a hammer and some nails – and crucify our selfish attitudes, words and actions. I would venture to suggest that each and every one of us has work to do in this regard. Where will you begin?
©2021 Debbie Robus
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