“For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdened; in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” —Galatians 5:13-6:2
“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer…in the companionship of a fellow Christian, a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
We walk by the Spirit
“In the community, we learn what it means to live out the story of redemption. In community the Spirit of God resides, encouraging, teaching, and guiding its members into a deeper love for God and others. —Rich Plass, Jim Cofield
Gathering together helps us live by the Spirit
Galatians 5:14-15, 19-23; Hebrews 10:22-25
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” —Galatians 5:14-15
The fruit of the Spirit nurtures and is nurtured by community.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. —Galatians 5:22-23
“Life in the Spirit is community life.” —Tom Schreiner
We
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:1-2
“There is no surer test of the spiritual person than his treatment of another’s sin.” —St. Augustine
“Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” —Romans 15:1-2
For Further Study:
Scripture: Hebrews 10:19-25; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 15:1-3
Resources: “The Relational Soul” by Richard Plass and James Cofield (Chapter 8)
Discussion Guide:
In what areas of your life do you need community right now?
How can you bear the burdens of those around you?
Has a lack of community allowed sin to remain unchecked in your life?
Have you seen sin be destructive to community around you?
How can you embrace community and walk more deeply in the Spirit?
To prepare for next week:
Giving Together; II Corinthians 8:1-15