Galatians 5

Paul’s letter was not written for you.

Paul’s letter, Paul’s letters, and all of the Holy Scriptures were written for the Church. The Body of Christ is assembled through the love of God our Creator, the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul writes, “the fruit of the Spirit is.” Singular. Not the “fruits of the Spirit are.” Do you notice the difference? The Fruit of the Spirit is one gift, requiring one another, produced through the Holy Spirit and not individual Christians. Through Christ’s body. The Fruit of the Spirit – the Spirit-Filled Life – is to learn to be a disciple and live a life where we require others in our lives.

The Fruit of the Spirit describe the Body of Christ, made flesh in the world through the work of the Holy Spirit.

We need one another.

Life centered on the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Life made possible through Word and Sacrament.

Life free from religion for the sake of self-improvement instead freed to live a life only possible through the work of the Holy Spirit. Life centered on who you are – beloved and free – where who you are not is no longer interesting.

Life where I need you, and you need me. We need one another.

Life, new life, in Christ.

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