Today’s Reading
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NASB)

I love the phrase at the end of Galatians 5:23, “against such things there is no law.” In other words, nothing else has the power to stop me from living out the fruit of the Spirit. Other people or external circumstances do not govern the fruit of the Spirit; it is an overflow of God’s work inside of me.

Look at joy. Unlike happiness, joy does not come and go based on what is occurring in my life. Joy is a gladness that comes because of God’s work – what He has already done, what He is doing, and what He will do in the future. In James 1, we are told when we face challenges, we should consider them joy. Why? Because we know that God is working in our lives maturing and perfecting us. Joy comes from an inner strength based on God’s character and is not shaken when hard times come.

In the same way, God’s peace can exist during external conflict and turmoil. Why? The foundation for peace is not our relationship with other people, but instead our relationship with Christ (Romans 5:1). Peace begins with an inner tranquility between each one of us and God. When we have that relationship right, then our souls are rest. Then, that internal peace brings a calm and steadiness to our external relationships and interactions.

Because the source of the fruit of Spirit is God, we only receive it through Him and nothing and no one has the power to take it away.

Reflection
Think about your current circumstances: How are you reacting the life’s challenges? Do you have God’s peace and joy? Why or why not?

Prayer
God, I am incredibly thankful for Your unshakeable joy and steadfast peace. You give me what I cannot find from anyone or anything else, which means nothing and no one can take it away from me. Help me to continue to walk full of Your Spirit and learn to live out of Your work in my life. In Jesus’ name; amen