Living in the Spirit
"In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law. Now, those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25) Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians vividly illustrates the transformative presence of the Holy Spirit within the Christian life, identifying specific virtues that evidence authentic spiritual maturity. Termed collectively as the "fruit of the Spirit," these virtues are presented not as mere ethical ideals but as the natural outcomes of a life intimately united with Christ through the indwelling Spirit. Paul intentionally contrasts the Spirit’s fruit with the "works of the flesh," emphasizing the fundamental transformation brought about by grace. This passage succinctly conveys the central Christian truth that holiness arise...