Galatians 5:16-26 contrasts the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
Our sinful nature and the Spirit of God are opposing forces. We inherit our sinful weakness in our body, which brings death. Jesus died to sin in our place, bringing the gift of salvation. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead raises us to new life when we receive this gift through faith alone, in Christ Jesus alone. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us, to expose our sin and sinful nature, and to nudge us to right living. The Holy Spirit guides us in truth, God's Word is truth. (John 17:17) He empowers us to learn and then share all He knows from the mind and heart of God. Although spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit are not the same thing, they are both evidence of the Holy Spirit's power and presence.
We can't begin to scratch the surface of learning about the Holy Spirit in one day, but I thought it would be a good place to start. I felt Galatians 5:17 to my core! (Anyone else brave enough to stand with me on that?!?) The sinful nature makes itself known at every turn. Even before we are saved, the Spirit is shining a light on our sin and pointing to the remedy--Christ alone. Once we accept His gift of salvation, the Holy Spirit lives in us. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 changed me. It shows me that the Holy Spirit is essential for a relationship with God. I cannot know God without His Spirit. My natural self and the Holy Spirit are rivals. I can't pull myself together and figure out God's message to us. But the Holy Spirit is our helper, our teacher; as the Newsboys put it-- He gives us a "holy nudge, He's like a circuit judge in the brain". Over the next several days, we will learn how to leave behind the works of the flesh, and learn to identify the fruit of the Spirit living in us. I pray that we will be thankful for the "beautiful inheritance" we have in Him. It's signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit.
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