Bearing the Fruit of Redemption

February 26, 2012


Background Scripture: Galatians 5:2 – 6:18
Lesson Passage: Galatians 5:22 – 26; 6:1 – 10

The only reliable evidence that learning has taken place is when behavior changes. When we have truly learned, our character is changed to reflect the new reality in our mind. Once our character changes, so too will our actions. Our actions are visible representations of invisible qualities of character. We recognize this when we have known someone for a long time and they do something that we were not expecting. In these situations, we say the person was acting out of character, or in other words, their actions were not in accordance with their character as we have known it. Let me hasten to say that anyone who knew us before we were saved should certainly see us as acting out of character today.

In the background scripture of our lesson today, Paul looks at character traits that are common to sinners and character traits that are common to Christians. Individuals who were saved as adults should readily recognize and identify with both sets of traits. The lesson passage only addresses the traits and behavior expected of Christians. I prefer to consider the text of the background scripture because it places in contrast the differences to be expected based on whether the person is a sinner or a saint. The emphasis of this lesson is clear; Christians should live up to the standard of their new reality in Christ knowing that we were not born this way. Although the emphasis is clear, it does not make the challenge of fulfilling this lesson any easier. We are challenged because of our flesh nature.

As I stated in my notes for the first lesson in this series from Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia, this is a letter that addresses practical Christianity. It is fitting that the letter closes out in this manner. How Christians look at others who are going through difficult times is a reflection of our character. Those who are spiritual must demonstrate it at times such as these. Spiritual Christians go beyond the idea that we are justified. Those who are spiritual live out and indeed act out their faith through right actions. These actions are not the result of our individual wills but instead they reflect the will of God being manifest in our lives. How we treat people who are down and out says a lot about our character. Spirituality involves allowing the character of God’s Spirit in us to show up in our actions. This happens whenever we humble ourselves and allow God’s Spirit to direct us. We submit our will to the will of God and what results is a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit in us. When we allow the Spirit of God to lead us we become a reflection of the character of God. By so doing, we demonstrate that we do indeed bear the fruit of our redemption so that the world may know that we are children of the Most High God.

Robert C. Hudson
February 9, 2012