In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul tells us
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)
I recently read an interesting thought in the book "Forgotten God, written by Francis Chan.
He posed a question; based on the fact that we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, shouldn't we have a supernatural advantage (over those who have not accepted Christ,) to excel in the areas that the fruit of the Spirit represent?
Shouldn't then Christians be the most loving? The most peaceful? The most patient? Exhibiting the most self control? This list goes on and on.
I am challenged by this.
Because if our display of these attributes are no different, or even worse, than someone who has not accepted Christ (and therefore does not have the Holy Spirit imparting them) then what does that say about us?
Perhaps we are not keeping as much in step with the Holy Spirit as we may assume we do?
As Paul goes on to say, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." VV 24-26
Are we truly in step with the Holy Spirit?
