In a world governed by limiting norms, the fruit of the Spirit produced by the Gospel brings authentic freedom.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23).
Almost any human activity is regulated by rules and laws.
The law establishes which lane you should drive in and at what speed, how you should be hired and how you should be fired, what rules should govern wills, where you can make noise and up to when, and where you cannot. It even established where one could catch Covid-19, such as on public transportation, and where one could not, such as in a movie theater or restaurant. I hope the virus also read the decree.
The fact is that our lives are governed by codes of rules, regulations, decrees, laws, customs?
Have you ever wondered why?
Well, basically because humans tend to follow the two commandments that have been universally considered the most important.
And sadly they are not the commandments of Jesus: love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself.
The commandments or laws that mankind has applied most universally are the following two: the law of the strongest and the law of the funnel.
That is why it is necessary to establish an infinite number of norms and rules that attempt to curb the excesses produced by these two universal laws.
Laws whose consequences are known to all: jealousy, fights, robberies, wars, insults, racism, pride…
Consequences that have led us to become true masters in the “art” of building weapons or in the arts of killing, long before in the art of repairing or healing.
The problem is that, no matter how advanced a society may be, at the slightest opportunity the impulse to follow the law of the strongest appears.
If my opponent looks weaker, why shouldn’t I take advantage of it?
If I can make things difficult for my competition and ruin them, why not do it?
Of course, if it is your opponent who tries to do it to you, you apply the law of the funnel: I do it because we are in a market of free competition and the customer must be able to choose freely, but my opponent cannot do it because if he damages my business he would be violating free competition and the customer’s freedom of choice.
Although we are in the 21st century and we have the laser beam, we have reached Mars and we have found cures for many diseases, however, we continue killing ourselves in infamous wars or making life impossible for those around us.
This is the fruit of a selfish life far from God.
And in the face of this, what does God propose to us in his word?
The answer is found in the book of Galatians, chapter 5 and verses 22 and 23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
God wants us to be able to enjoy life in community and make the best of it.
Companionship, collaboration, synergy, and improvement are the result of a common life in which God’s values are put to work.
Bearing one another’s burdens, supporting the weak and loving one another are the results of letting Christ into our lives..
Because when Christ takes your life your whole value system is transformed.
You understand that the important commandments are not those of the world, those that are limited to trying to avoid excesses.
You understand that the most important commandments are those of Christ, those that impel you to seek the good of your neighbor.
And the consequences of letting the Holy Spirit renew your mind and soul lead you to act with your fellow men in such a way that makes any kind of law unnecessary.
You will respect those who think differently, even if you do not share it; you will not take advantage of your strengths, or the weaknesses of others, to harm them; you will love everyone, even those who “dislike you” or those who are different from you.
This is the result of a transformed life, one in which the fruit of the Spirit can develop.
And all this because you understand that you are not superior to anyone.
And you understand this because you may have tried to do it on your own before, and found that it was impossible.
But when you live for God you discover the certainty of Jesus’ words: what is impossible for men is possible for God.
For what you cannot attain, God has attained for you.
God bless you.
Cover photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
