Galatians 5:22-26

Galatians 5:22-26The Message (MSG)

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

So what happens when we live God's way?.....

Paul gets to the heart of the question we all have.  Just what DOES God's way look like? Can you feel it, reading his reply? Can you believe that affection for others, exuberance about life and serenity ARE gifts worth having?

When we truly belong to Christ, we don't need to force our own way. We automatically open our hearts to the other. We don't need to mindlessly serve. We BECOME service.

And then for me the crux. The thing I think that 21st religion still gets mired in:

Faith in Christ is not a idea (or dogma) in our head. And it is not sentimental, Hallmark faith either.

It takes over us like that mustard plant.

It infects and grows in us like the yeast in bread.

It is deep and rich and abiding and complex and messy and exhausting...

...and enlivening.

What happens when we live God's way?

Life happens. Real, abundant, full life.

God of life, fill us to the brim with your perfect way so that we may perfectly and wonderfully live! Amen