"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, ESV)
This is the simple yet profound statement that Paul makes after noting the fruit of the Spirit to the Galatian church. As we prepare for the start of a new Fall teaching series, "The Fruit of the Spirit", let's examine a Biblical truth that establishes a foundation for fruit bearing in the Christian life.
God the Holy Spirit is a key player in the process of salvation, specifically, the miracle of regeneration. Take a look at Paul's words to Titus:
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7, ESV)
In this passage, we read a familiar story of a lost and broken people being graciously rescued by a loving and powerful God. In this context, Paul uses an interesting Greek word, palingenesia (regeneration), in relationship to the Holy Spirit's work of washing and renewal. Regeneration is a word used to describe new birth or the production of a new life consecrated to God. The image of new birth points us back to Jesus' words to Nicodemus:
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5, ESV)
We observe from these and other Biblical passages that the Holy Spirit is the dynamic agent of regeneration. He applies the work of Jesus and brings us from a state of death in sin, to a state of life in Christ. Understanding this truth is paramount in understanding the fruit of the Spirit. With that, let's go back to our original verse in Galatians:
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, ESV)
If we have new life by the Spirit of God (through the work of regeneration), we should also walk in a life of fruitfulness by that same Spirit. In other words, new life in the Spirit will produce the fruit of the Spirit.
Please join us this Fall as we study "The Fruit of the Spirit" together!
Chris Drombetta
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