14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 BUT if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Gal 5:14-26
Q & A：
- Explain the difference between having a religion and relationship with God, with respect to law, being legalistic, outer change and inner love. (Gal 5:14-26; Rom 10:4; 2 Tim 3:5, 7; Mat 7:3)
- Explain how we can produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit by abiding to God as illustrated with vine and branches. Discuss how we can allow love, as part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit to be evident in our lives through the spirit man in the new creation as compared to the old man before receiving Christ. (Gal 5:25; John15:4-5; Eph 2:1-3; 2 Cor 5:17; Rom 12:2)
- How should having the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, look like in our daily lives? Discuss how you should love your neighbor, including fellow Christian brothers and sisters as well as your enemies with reference to the definition of love as in 1 Cor 13:4-8. (Gal 5:14-16, 22a; Rom 13:10; Rom 12:20)