Rachel's Reflections
written for Bible Study for Kids
Making Connections in Behavior
By Rachel Graham
I am always amazed when I hear people say that they don't read and/or
believe the Bible because it has no relevance to their lives. I am
constantly reminded that our God is timeless when I open the Word and read
through scripture. I have no problem making continuous connections to my own
life.
One of the most explicit examples of this connection is in Galatians where
Paul is telling us that we need to live by the Spirit. He doesn't just leave
it there but gives us very specific examples of what to do AND what not to
do.
Galatians 5:16-26 - NIV (
http://www.biblegateway.com)
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of
the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the
Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are
in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if
you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity
and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits
of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness,
orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live
like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the
sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the
Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become
conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Each of the things listed as fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) are
things that are involved in our daily lives. I find the line following the
list incredibly relevant, "Against such things there is no law." This is
completely true of our government today. Our justice system is set up to
protect and promote these fruit.
Paul also gives us a specific list of the things that will keep us away from
God and therefore come between ourselves and heaven. He lists: "sexual
immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,
discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and
envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." Although there are not laws
against all of these things, they are seen as incorrect and bad in our
society today. Impurity and debauchery (corruption) are thing that are
running rampant. I find it interesting that dissensions and factions are on
this list. I had never thought about the back-stabbing and clicks that form
in our adolescence and sadly, sometimes in adulthood as being something that
is listed as bad in the Bible. But there they are. Jealousy and selfishness
are things that every person can work on.
I could spend months discussing the relevance of each of the things (good
and bad) listed in this tiny passage out of The New Testament to the lives
of Christians today. Whether you are someone who feels that reading the
Bible is irrelevant to your life or someone who believes in the power of the
Word I challenge you to spend a little time this week with this passage.
Are you gathering fruit? Building walls between you and God?
What good things to concentrate on each day.
