A.In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul listed the "fruit of the Spirit” and then said, "…against such things there is no law.”
1.This may seem to be a curious statement at first, for no one would expect there to be laws against such things as love, joy, peace, etc.
2.However, in the context of the chapter, the statement makes perfect sense, and it holds a wonderful lesson for us to learn.
B.Presently, let us consider the context of Galatians 5 and the meaning of Paul’s phrase in verse 23.
II.CONTEXT – GALATIANS 5
A.Paul wrote this letter to correct a troubling trend within the churches of Galatia, who were being influenced to turn to works of the Law of Moses as the means of their salvation in Christ.
1.In Galatians 1:6-7, Paul described what false teachers were leading the Christians of Galatia to do.
a."I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
b.It is unlikely that any of these Christians realized that they were deserting Christ by turning to an altered message from the one preached to them by Paul.Obviously, desertion of Christ is a deadly serious matter.
c.It is also unlikely that they fully realized they had turned to a different gospel, which was not Christ’s gospel at all.
d.Those who preached this different gospel were to be accursed (see 1:8-9).
2.In Galatians 3:2, Paul specifically identified the trouble in the Galatian churches by asking a question.
a."This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?”
b.The different and false gospel had mingled in works of the Law of Moses with Christ’s message of salvation by faith.The Galatians had not received the Spirit through this distorted gospel, and there was no reason for them to ever turn to it.
B.In chapter 5, Paul draws a contrast between freedom through Christ and the Spirit versus slavery through the Law and the flesh.
1.In Galatians 5:1, Paul clarified the issue in Galatia as a matter of freedom or slavery.
a."It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
b.This statement gave a proper perspective regarding adherence to the Law of Moses.It was indeed slavery (see Acts 15:10; Jas. 2:10), but Christ has called men to be free.
2.In Galatians 5:13, Paul defined the purpose of freedom in Christ to prevent abuses of that freedom by those who were fleshly minded.
a."For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
b.The freedom Christ grants is not for sinful, fleshly indulgence, but rather it is for unrestricted acts of love.
c.In fact, both the Law of Moses and the gospel of Christ have the same objective: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (see 5:14).The difference is that the Law approached that objective through restrictions, prohibitions, and compulsions, whereas the gospel seeks this objective through freedom.
3.In Galatians 5:17-18, Paul showed that this was not only a matter of freedom or slavery, but more importantly it was flesh versus the Spirit.
a."For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
b.The battle between the flesh and the Spirit (or spirit) has been ongoing since the beginning of the world.This battle pulls us in opposite directions.
c.The Law sought to control these warring motivations by restraining fleshly desires, but the gospel controls them by abounding in spiritual goodness and freedom.
C.In this context, Paul shows that the deeds of the flesh are governed by God’s law, but the fruit of the Spirit has no law against it.
1.In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul listed the fleshly things that are forbidden by the law of God.
a."Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
b.These things are evil in the sight of God, and His law therefore prohibits them.
2.In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul listed the spiritual things that are unrestricted and unlimited by any law.
a."But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
b.These things are good in God’s sight, and He has freed us in Christ to do these as much as we please.There are no limitations, no restrictions, and no boundaries for the fruit of the Spirit.In these things only, we are free to indulge with unlimited appetites.
III.NO LAW AGAINST THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
A.What does it mean for us when the Scripture says that the fruit of the Spirit has no law against it?
1.This is a contrast to the prohibitions of law against the deeds of the flesh.
a.We are restricted from having any part in immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, etc.
b.Any violation of these lawful restrictions will cause us to forfeit the kingdom of God.
c.These things are governed by God’s law, for His law forbids all of these.
2.Unlike the deeds of the flesh, the fruit of the Spirit has no such law against it.
a.We might think of the fruit of the Spirit as a spiritual "all-you-can-eat” buffet for our unlimited indulgence.This good, spiritual "gluttony” has no restrictions.
b.We are free to gratify ourselves in the fruit of the spirit to our hearts content without penalty within the kingdom of God.There is no such thing as too much love, joy, peace, patience, etc.We cannot say this about any other things.
c.Whereas God’s law forbids the deeds of the flesh, it says nothing forbidding the fruit of the Spirit.Freedom in the gospel of Christ places no limits on this fruit.
B.Therefore, let us indulge in each part of the fruit of the Spirit.
1.Love – "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1Cor. 13:13)
2.Joy – "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4)
3.Peace – "And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7)
4.Patience – "Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (Jas. 5:7-8)
5.Kindness – "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:32)
6.Goodness – "…for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth” (Eph. 5:9)
7.Faithfulness – "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10)
8.Gentleness – "…with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” (2Tim. 2:25)
9.Self-control – "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1Cor. 9:25)
10.Such things – Compassion, humility, forbearance, forgiveness, unity, tolerance, righteousness, godliness, faith, reverence, knowledge, virtue, and perseverance (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:12-15; 1Tim. 6:11; 2Pet. 1:5-8) are "such things.”Enjoy as much as you can, for there is no law against these.
IV.CONCLUSION
A.The fruit of the Spirit is free, unrestricted by law, and yours for the taking.
B.Now the question is: do you want it? Do you have an appetite for this godly fruit, or do you crave things of the world?Be free in Christ, and join the spiritual feast!
