by Angela Moreno

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.   Galatians 5:13

Our world is spinning out of control. Many people are lovers of self and not lovers of others. Feelings and emotions control their reactions. Business men bankrupt companies and take-away hard earned pensions from workers because of dishonest business practices and sheer greed. Homeless people are treated like they have the plague and avoided at all cost. It’s all about material items and having more than the next person.

This is not how God intended us to live. In Luke 10:25-28, Jesus gives us clear instructions on how we should live and how we should treat others.

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!

Jesus tells us to love our neighbor just like we love ourselves. This is living in the fruit of the Spirit. Loving others is God’s way and His expectation for others. Living this way can be difficult because we are living in the flesh. Our flesh is selfish; it looks to satisfy our needs first and sometimes at the expense of others.

As believers, we have to shift this thinking from the flesh to the spirit. We must first understand the difference between the fruits of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit so we can make the necessary adjustments. Galatians 5:19-21 gives us the attributes of each.

The fruits of the flesh is shown through:

• selfish ambition
• fits of rage
• envy and jealousy
• drunkenness and wild parties
• dissension
• sexual immorality

The fruit of the Spirit is shown through:

• love and joy
• peace and patience
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• kindness and goodness
• self-control

Our world sounds like the majority of the people are living in the fruits of the flesh and not in the fruit of the Spirit. As believers, we have to be the guiding light in this world and show others the love of God. We must love others even if they are not so lovable. We must be the light representing God in this dark world.

Jesus wants us to live in the fruit of the Spirit. Matthew 5:39-42: But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

We are to live in love no matter the situation. Our rewards are not of this world and as believers, we are not of this world. We are to live in the fruit of the Spirit and show others who God is through our words and actions. Keep a close guard on your flesh and make sure that it doesn’t overtake the Spirit of God.

And remember, this life is preparing us for our future life with Christ. He did not want us to live here like this apart from Him. Jesus is in us in Spirit, but soon and very soon, we will be together with Him. We are being prepared for righteous living.