The strive for perfection……we see it all over our culture, we all want the perfect husband, perfect family, perfect homes, perfect jobs, perfect bodies….I think you get the point. God tells us time and time again that our human nature will never allow us to be perfect. I know that really might ruffle your feathers but it’s the truth. No matter how hard as humans we try to fit that bill we will NEVER be perfect,we just can’t stop messing it up.
Galatians is a short book in the bible written by Paul. I love that God chose Paul to write the book of Galatians. Paul knew that he was far from perfect and that his human nature had failed him. Paul had a hard time “getting it right” actually, that is an understatement. He watched Stephen get stoned and he did nothing. He even fought AGAINST Christianity searching out believers and making them prisoners to Jerusalem. In the book of Acts God speaks to Paul asking him “Why do you persecute me?” Acts 9:4. After Paul’s encounter with God he later gets baptized and changes his life. He goes from fighting against God to fighting for him! Amazing!!! God never fails to amaze me.
As Christians we all get caught up in the “rules”. The never ending battle of what’s right and what’s wrong. The bible clearly outlines what God sees as holy, just and pure. We are so busy looking at other people’s lives and their sins that we forget what it’s all about. It’s not about pointing fingers at others. It’s about the faith that we have in Jesus. Our faith in Jesus is what saves us, not all the rules. When Jesus came to earth and died for our sins, he also set us free from the Laws of Moses. Have you ever really thought about all the rules in the Old Testament? Yikes! There are a ton of them. Some of those laws are also in the New Testament but many of them are never again mentioned. The Law of Moses shows us what God sees as good and holy but we are not bond to them. If you followed every Law of Moses and never focused on your faith in Jesus you would miss out on the big picture.
What guides your life? Is it your job, your husband, or your kids? Better yet is it trying to have what everyone else has? Are you so busy striving for perfection that all you see is the next big reward? The true reward in this world is Jesus. We all need more of him.
The Spirit of God should be your guide. When you nurture and cultivate your faith and relationship with God you start to grow roots. As you continue to water and feed your soul with Jesus you begin to produce fruit. I don’t know about you but I want to produce the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 tells us what the fruits are that God wants us to produce.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
Do we delight in God. Does he bring us joy and peace. Do we show his love to others including our enemies? Are we prepared and ready to do good to ALL when we are given the opportunity? Are we faithful to our spouses, families and friends? Do we speak to people with a gentleness that draws them closer to God not further away? Are we quick to get angry?
I want to walk in step with the God and I don’t know about you but I want to produce good fruit that will fill me forever. I want others to see God’s work in me.
As we all journey on this path called life we are all going to mess up. Our freedom is with God. We have to search for him and we have to do our best to stop our sinful desires and instead of striving for perfection we need to start striving to produce the fruit of the Spirit.
I am going to read Galatians 5:22-25 each morning and each night this week. I encourage you to join me in this challenge. Read it with your family. Encourage others around you to be fruitful.
I would love to hear how God is working to produce fruit in your life. Leave me a comment below! I can’t wait to hear from you!
