Who is God like? Vv. 13,14 God called us to be free from the slavery of sin and to serve one another in love. The freedom of a Christian is not freedom to do what I want at my convenience, but to limit my own freedom because of love. Today, meditate on God’s love deeply, who called me to be free. Vv. 16,18 God sends the Holy Spirit among us to guide us. Welcome the guidance of the Holy Spirit to help us to live by and obey God’s will instead of our selfish desires. Vv. 22,23 The Holy Spirit keeps dwelling in us and works to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is not possible by our own efforts but only when we are grafted to Christ and are matched to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ. Therefore, do not be discouraged if I do not have all the fruit in my life; but move forward expecting the on-going work of the Holy Spirit that is dwelling within me.
What lesson is God teaching me? Vv. 17,19-21 These are the fruit of the greedy life according to the sinful nature. There are clear sins like sexual immorality and witchcraft but also vague sins like selfish ambition and jealousy. If we truly accept Christ and belong to the Holy Spirit, we have to reveal our free identity by separating ourselves from these sins.
Please let me use the freedom you gave me through the love of the cross to love and to serve others.
