LET US NOT BE DESIROUS OF VAIN GLORY

In yesterday’s reading we were exhorted to ‘Walk in the Spirit’ so that we will ‘not fulfil the lust of the flesh’. Some of the people Paul was addressing in Galatia were spreading a false gospel which was a mixture of law and grace. No doubt they boasted in the fact that they were not guilty of any of the catalogue of fleshly activities which Paul lists, vv. 19-21. However, Paul is teaching that ‘negative goodness is not enough in a life; there must be positive qualities as well’, Warren Wiersbe. Paul describes those ‘positive qualities’ beautifully as ‘the fruit of the Spirit’, vv. 22-23. Fruit bearing is another lovely study in the New Testament since there can be so many different kinds in the Christian life: souls being saved, holy living, good works, and praise. The fruit of the Spirit highlighted in these verses are displays of the character of Christ, which God longs to see in all His redeemed people. There are nine in all; the first three are Godward, the second three manward, and the last three self-ward. They are seen most fully in the earthly life of the Lord Jesus. When a Christian walks by the Spirit and produces this kind of fruit there is no need for any external laws, rules or regulations to produce the life that pleases God. The flesh is also ‘crucified’, v. 24, even though the spiritual battle still rages in the believer, Rom. 7. 14-25, and will do until glory.

In verses 25-26, Paul describes the ideal conditions in which this fruit will flourish. Warren Wiersbe paints some lovely pictures of what can stimulate the fruit of the Spirit, mentioning, for example, ‘the word, prayer, worship, praise and fellowship with God’s people. Pulling out the weeds so that the seed of the word can take root’. The Judaizers in Galatia were anxious for human praise and ‘vain glory’, which led to competitiveness, division and friction. Such an attitude provides the sinful personality with the kind of conditions in which true spiritual fruit can never grow. This fruit is, after all, for the enjoyment of others. There are enough lonely saints starving for Christian love and kindness to whom we can show the character of Christ. But the ultimate aim of fruit-production is to delight the heart of God who loves to see His Son reproduced in His people.