Galatians 5:22-26 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.”

I pray for each of you to be filled to overflowing with God’s grace, peace, provision, power, and presence.   May you excel in Him and soar in the Spirit, rising high over the chaos, enabling you to SEE with the eyes of the Spirit.

As I read, prayed, pondered, and meditated on the Word, the necessity of staying under the protection and covering of the blood leaped out from the pages.

The exodus in Exodus was a reminder.  The blood applied to the doorposts, the lintel, and on the house.  (A picture of salvation, we are His house).  The requirement was that they had to stay in the house, which was marked by the atoning blood.  (If they had to stay in, that means they could walk out)

Paul’s message to the Galatians emphasized this principle. We are crucified with Jesus to the old life. Now, the life we live is His life.

Galatians 2:20 – “My old identity has been crucified with Christ and no longer lives.  And the essence of this new life is no longer mine…”  Wait, what?  I thought that in salvation, it was mine.  “…FOR the Anointed One lives His life through me – we live in union as one!”  Wow!  That means I can’t live the Christian life in my strength or by keeping religious rules.  He is the one living the life; I’m simply yielding my life to Him.  I have responsibilities and must resist and refrain from yielding to the flesh, but it is Him, not me, that enables me to live this new life of freedom.  “My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that He gave Himself for me, dispensing His life into mine.”  

If we understand Grace and Christianity, we receive and obey the empowering of the Spirit, cleansed by the blood.

The power of the Spirit has nothing to do with religion. It is received by faith, not works.  The law (religion) does not require faith but self-effort.

Hear this – “This means that the Covenant between God and Abraham was fulfilled in Messiah and cannot be altered. “  (Gal. 3:17)   “We receive ALL the promises because of the Promised One – NOT because we keep the law!”  (v.18)

Galatians 5:16, 18 –“Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit,  You will abandon the cravings of your self-life…18 But when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you Will No Longer be living under the law,  But Soaring Above It!”

Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit produced by the Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

• Joy that overflows,
• Peace that subdues,
• Patience that endures,
• Kindness in action,
• A life of virtue,
• Faith that prevails,
• Gentleness of heart and
• Strength of spirit.”

Under the blood yielded to the Holy Spirit that is our life – Free and Full.

Have a great day in Jesus, and enjoy the Freedom you have been granted!