“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV)
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. 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.” (Galatians 5:13–25, NIV)
When a child is freed from bits which are constraining, maintaining,
why is it that he still misbehaves, unsatisfied, complaining,
persisting to pull against stern taboos, binding, restraining?
Is there anything that is well worth protecting, retaining?
The biblical concept regarding what is good, what is right,
giving what is much more than insignificant, minor, trite,
embodying a scriptural calling, filled by the Spirit, leading, beseeching,
motivates meaningful ministry, intrinsic to reaching, teaching, and preaching.
The fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control,
form a great basis for living, a counseling as to license, that which reaffirms one's heart and soul.
Pastor Rich Wagner
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June 26, 2022 Third Sunday of Pentecost
Worship 9:30 AM
Scripture Readings:
New Testament Galatians 5:1, 13–25
Gospel Luke 9:51–62
