Go! And Live By The Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 Series

Go! And Live by the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23

Introduction: Walking in the Spirit, Not the Flesh

Every believer in Christ is called to live a transformed life—a life that reflects the nature of Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit within us. But let’s be honest: walking in the Spirit is not always easy.

We live in a world filled with temptations, distractions, and challenges. There is a battle between our old sinful nature and the new life we have in Christ. The Apostle Paul addresses this struggle in Galatians, but he also presents a powerful truth—the evidence of a Spirit-filled life is seen in the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT): "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-21), making it clear that a Spirit-filled believer should exhibit these Christ-like qualities.

Today, I want to encourage you with this command: Go! And Live by the Spirit! We will explore what it means to cultivate and display the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives.

1. Go! And Live in Love

The first and greatest evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is love. The Greek word used here is ???p? (agape)—the highest form of love, a selfless, sacrificial love that reflects the very character of God.

1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) – "Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

Love is not just an emotion—it is the essence of who God is.

John 13:34-35 (NLT) – "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

Our love for one another is the greatest witness to the world!

Love is not just a feeling—it is an action!

Love your family, your neighbours, even your enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Reflect Jesus by showing agape love in your daily life.

A missionary once asked a group of children, "What does love look like?" A little girl replied, "Love looks like Jesus on the cross." That is the perfect picture of agape love—sacrificial, unconditional, and life-changing.

Max Lucado said: "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."

2. Go! And Live in Joy and Peace

Joy and peace go hand in hand. True joy is not dependent on circumstances—it comes from the presence of God!

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) – "Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"

The Greek word for joy is ?a?? (chara)—a deep inner gladness, even in trials.

Philippians 4:7 (NLT) – "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

The Hebrew word for peace is ??????? (shalom)—completeness, wholeness, well-being.

Application:

Choose joy, even in hardship—trust in God’s plan!

Let God’s peace rule in your heart, not anxiety or fear.

Be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9).

A woman diagnosed with cancer was asked why she still smiled. She said, "Cancer can take my health, but it cannot take my joy—because my joy comes from the Lord."

Rick Warren said: "Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life."

3. Go! And Live with Patience and Kindness

Patience and kindness show our trust in God’s timing and our care for others.

Colossians 3:12 (NLT) – "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

The Greek word for patience is µa?????µ?a (makrothumia)—long-suffering, endurance in trials.

Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) – "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

Be patient with others—God is patient with you!

Show kindness even when it is undeserved.

Forgive quickly—Christ forgave you!

A man cut off in traffic was furious. But then he noticed the other driver was a frightened elderly lady. His frustration melted into kindness. How often do we react in anger when kindness is needed?

Tim Keller said: "Kindness costs us nothing but means everything."

4. Go! And Live in Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control

Faithfulness means staying true to God and His Word.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) – "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."