Freedom and Fruitfulness

Mark Estepp - 8/11/2024

Galatians 5:1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5:16

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Acts of the Flesh v. Fruit of the Spirit 

Galatians 5:19 Galatians 5:22

The acts of the flesh are obvious . . . . . But the fruit of Spirit is . . . 

The fruit of the Spirit grows . . .  

• Gradually not Suddenly 
• Holistically not Selectively
• Internally and then Externally
• Powerfully 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

You must ask yourself, not just what am I doing wrong or what am I doing right, but why am I doing it.  

I am doing it to get free or because I am free?