LIVING THE GOSPEL
THE SPECTRUM OF THE SPIRIT: LIFE BEYOND LAW
GALATIANS 5:23c-25
A couple of explanatory notes:
“Virtue” = moral excellence
All of these are reflections of the character of God fleshed out in Jesus Christ
The actual “fruit” produced by the Spirit is genuine righteousness
Key passage: Romans 6:20-23
There are three essential truths involved in this excellent life beyond law:
1A. LIFE BEYOND LAW IS NOT UNLAWFUL. 5:23c
2A. LIFE BEYOND LAW MEANS DEATH TO SELF. 5:24
1B. DEATH TO SELF IS A MARKER OF THOSE WHO TRULY BELONG TO JESUS.
2B. THE CROSS MARKED THE CRUCIFIXION OF MY “SELF!”
3A. LIFE BEYOND LAW IS LIFE IN THE SPIRIT. 5:25
THE SPECTRUM OF THE SPIRIT
DEFINITIONS
Love is a virtue which reflects the goodness of God in its totality!
Joy is a virtue that sees everything from the standpoint of hope in the sovereign, eternal purpose of God.
Peace is a virtue which sees everything from the standpoint of hope in the sovereign, eternal care of God.
Patience is the virtue which leads us to act on the basis of mercy and grace by faith rather than reacting on the basis of the other person’s shortcomings.
Kindness is the virtue which treats people with mercy in every context.
Goodness is the virtue that treats people with grace by means of generous actions.
Faithfulness is the virtue which consistently serves Christ in every circumstance with the character of Christ evident in all its facets.
Gentleness is the virtue which projects both the power and compassion of God into our relationships.
Self-control is the virtue by which we live our lives unreservedly for God’s purposes and the benefit of others.
