Tag: love

Do Not Neglect the Heart

On By Tyler BoydIn Christian Living

Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians was:

…that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 3:13

Notice carefully: Paul did not simply pray that they might be established blameless, but that their hearts might be established blameless. The distinction matters.

The heart is where holiness begins – or where sin festers. As Jesus taught:

Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Matthew 15:19

Outward morality without an inward holy heart is hollow. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for this very problem:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence… You are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within and full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.” – Matthew 23:25-28

It is possible to appear righteous while the heart is rotten. True holiness must go deeper.

How Are Hearts Established in Holiness?

Paul gives the answer just one verse earlier:

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father.

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

The hope of a blameless heart at Christ’s coming (v. 13) is directly tied to growth in love (v. 12). Love is not optional – it is the very means by which the heart is made holy.

For Paul, love was the defining mark of Christianity. Love toward one another and toward all is how our hearts are strengthened in holiness. Growth in love is growth in holiness. Without love, we cannot expect to stand before God with a blameless heart at Christ’s return.

Christian love is thus inseparable from hope. When love increases, hope and certainty for the future increases. Without love, the certainty of our hope dries up.

What Kind of Love?

Here we must be clear: when Paul speaks of “love” he does not mean mere affection. In our day the word “love” is used flippantly to justify almost anything. “If two people love each other, how could it be wrong?” That reasoning is then used to defend fornication, adultery, and homosexuality. Yet in Paul’s prayer, love is inseparably tied to holiness.

True love does not lead into sin; it leads out of it. To drag someone deeper into sexual immorality is not to love them but to despise them. Real love seeks another’s eternal good, not their temporary pleasure. Affection that destroys the soul is not love at all, but a worthless counterfeit.

And this principle extends beyond sexual sin. If our desire to be friendly excuses sinful social activities, that is not true friendship. If our desire to be kind silences our call to righteousness, our “kindness” becomes cruelty. Love that is severed from holiness is not the kind of love Paul prayed for.

Paul’s Example of Holy Love

When Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to “increase and abound in love for one another and for all,” he adds, “as we do for you.” The kind of love Paul expected was the love he had modeled:

  • Renouncing his right to make authoritative demands (1 Thess. 2:6)
  • Laboring night and day for their sake (2:9)
  • Sharing not only the gospel but his very life (2:8)
  • Caring for them tenderly like a nursing mother cares for her children (2:7)

This is not the hollow “love” the world celebrates. It is a cross-shaped, self-denying love – love that gives itself wholly for another’s eternal good. That is the kind of love that establishes a heart in holiness.

Examining the Heart

So take some time and inspect your heart. It is good to examine your external duties – your doctrine, morality, speech, church attendance, and conduct at home. But don’t neglect the heart.

  • Does your external life genuinely flow from a blameless heart, or is it an act?
  • Are there hidden heart problems that need addressing?
  • Can it truly be said that you love God, love the church, and love all those you interact with?
  • If you’re really seeking the eternal good of others, do your actions reflect it?

If you recognize the need for your hearts to be further established in holiness, how is it strengthened? By increasing in love – the kind of love Christ displayed on the cross. A love that bears burdens, sacrifices self, and seeks not temporary happiness but eternal joy for others.

At Christ’s coming, it will not be the appearance of righteousness that matters, but whether our hearts have been established blameless in holiness.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:23

The Worst Error a Church Can Make

On By Tyler BoydIn Christian Non-Violence, Kingdom Life, Love for Enemies

I recently conducted an informal Facebook poll, posing the question, “In your opinion, what is the worst error a church can make?” The responses touched on various issues of great importance, including the failure to uphold biblical authority, neglect of doctrinal truth, and leadership issues, such as having weak or unqualified elders. Others focused on relational problems in the church, such as gossip, judgmental attitudes, or letting people slip through the cracks without being noticed.

Without minimizing the seriousness of any of the errors mentioned, I invite you to consider one error which permeates all others – the failure to love God and others.

Love as the Cornerstone of All Other Commands

The New Testament defines love by pointing to Jesus Christ’s selfless sacrifice.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3:16

To love is to imitate Jesus, who died for us, even when we were undeserving sinners (cf. Rom. 5:6-10).

The New Testament tells us that the command to love (i.e., to love in a way that resembles Jesus’s self-sacrificial love) is the greatest of all commands. Everything else hinges on fulfilling this law.

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:34-40

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:8-10

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” you are doing well.

James 2:8

Paul and Peter emphasize the importance of love, urging Christians to put on love above all else.

And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 4:14

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

In the well known “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13), Paul asserts that without love, there is nothing we can do in our service to God that holds any value.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal… If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

It should be noted that the command to love extends to all, even to those who don’t deserve it – even to our enemies (Luke 6:27-35). In fact, loving our enemies is the prerequisite for being considered as “children of the Most High.”

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Luke 6:35

To what extent should we be merciful to those who don’t deserve it? We are to “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

To love others, even when it is undeserved, and implies self-sacrifice, hardship, and harm, is simply what it means to be a “Christian.” That is, to be a “Christian” we must love like Christ.

Implications of Failing to Love

It is important to note that the New Testament does not teach a minimalist approach to Christianity, as if nothing else matters beyond loving God and loving others. On the contrary Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Later, John reinforces this point:

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.

1 John 5:2-3

“Love God, Love Others” shouldn’t be a mere slogan, while other points of doctrine are minimized in their importance. Instead, if we genuinely love God with all of our heart, soul, and strength, everything else becomes more significant. In fact, it should matter even more to us because of our love for God others. This isn’t Christian minimalism; it’s Christian maximalism.

At the same time, it’s crucial to acknowledge that even if we follow commandments, uphold doctrinal truth, lead the church wisely, live holy lives, treat others kindly, and even lay down our lives, yet without starting with love for God and others, we miss the point. Loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind is the principle from which obedience to all other commandments flow.

Think carefully about this: If love is to be placed above all else, and if all our service to God is worthless without love, and if every other command hangs on the commandment to love, what conclusion can we draw, but that the failure to love is the worst possible error that a church could make.

Yes, there will be doctrinal disagreements and errors, and unqualified elders causing problems. But how we respond to these problems, and the individuals involved, is of utmost importance.

If we’re thinking biblically, how can we avoid the conclusion that mistreating, misrepresenting, slandering, or attempting to embarrass someone in the name of truth stands as just as bad, if not worse, than whatever error it is we claim to be opposing.

Self-Examination

While we have an obligation to distinguish between what is and what is not faithful, it is crucial to guard against self-righteousness. Instead of feeling righteous by contrasting ourselves with some of the more unkind, unloving Christian examples, we must start by asking ourselves: Are we guilty of the worst error imaginable? Do we do everything in love? Do we place love for God and others above all else?

Think about it.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2

The Spirit and Miraculous Gifts

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This article is the 19th in an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. To read other articles in this series, click here.

There is a often disconnect between the way the New Testament speaks about the Spirit and how the church speaks about the Spirit today. In the New Testament there is a major emphasis on the importance of applying the teachings and example of Christ to our lives (see Part 18). Today discussions about the Holy Spirit tend to focus on questions and debates about miracles.

When the Spirit was initially poured out, this was often accompanied by miraculous signs. These wonders served an important role. They signified that the Spirit had indeed been poured out in fulfillment of Old Testament promises (see Part 11).

Some of the Corinthians had been given miraculous spiritual gifts, but they had completely missed the point of these gifts. Instead of using the ability to speak in tongues to build up the church, Paul compared their noise to that of a “lifeless instrument” (1 Cor. 14:7). What was intended to be used as a sign for unbelievers (14:22) had become an occasion for mockery (14:23).

Into this situation, Paul introduces Christ-like love as the key rule by which spiritual gifts were to be exercised.

If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Without love, miraculous spiritual gifts are worthless (13:1-3). Love does not insist on getting its own way, but is patient and kind towards others (13:4-5). So it is with the exercise of miraculous spiritual gifts.  Spiritual gifts were not to be used to build up the individuals who practiced them, but rather to build up the church (14:1-5). The Corinthians were in need of a shift in how they thought about the Spirit.

Imitators of Christ

Paul’s emphasis on love stems from his encouragement for the Corinthians to mimic his example as he follows Christ.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

When Paul mentions “Christ,” he specifically has in mind “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:1 serves as the conclusion of his reply to the Corinthians regarding the question of eating meat offered to idols (8:1-11:1). Paul began this section of his letter by contrasting knowledge and love.

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1

In the middle of this section, Paul presents himself as an example of relinquishing his own “rights” (9:4, 5, 6, 12, 18), and keeping his body “under control” (9:27), for the sake of benefiting others. He summarizes his own example as that of seeking the advantage of others before himself.

I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:33

That is what Paul means when he says, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ,” which is the very next verse.

Love as a Work of the Spirit

As has been seen throughout the rest of the New Testament, Paul identifies the work of the Spirit as this kind of Christ-like love. First, Paul identified Christ as “him crucified” (2:2). Second, Paul urges people to be imitators of the crucified Christ by following his example as one who denies his own interests for the sake of others (11:1). Then, Paul defines love as patience, kindness, loving the truth, forbearance, belief, hope, and endurance, and as opposed to boastfulness, arrogance, rudeness, self-seeking, irritability, resentfulness, and wrongdoing (13:4-6). These contrasting characteristics are remarkably similar to the “works of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:19-23 (see Part 16).

By placing the “love chapter” (1 Cor. 13) right in the middle of his discussion of the miraculous spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14), Paul establishes self-sacrificial, Christ imitating love as the governing rule by which the Corinthians were to rightly use their spiritual gifts.

The Temporary Nature of Miraculous Spiritual Gifts

In the context of this argument, Paul emphasizes the significance of Christ-like love in contrast to the temporary nature of the miraculous gifts of the Spirit.

Love never ends. As for prophesies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Paul emphasizes that while spiritual gifts will cease, love never fails. Love will continue to be relevant long after the temporary gifts of prophecy, speaking in tongues, and miraculous knowledge pass away.

Paul uses three images to describe the temporary nature of miraculous spiritual gifts.

The first image is that of a child growing into maturity (v. 11). Paul viewed prophecy, speaking in tongues, and miraculous knowledge as child’s play for the church. Paul urged the Corinthians to move on to the grown-up stuff, namely, Christ-like love, which would carry on into the maturity of the church. Even if it could be proved that the Spirit continues to give miraculous spiritual gifts today, this would prove nothing except that the church continues to exhibit the maturity of a child.

The second image is that of a mirror. In the first century, mirrors did not present a clear reflection as most mirrors do today. There were often blurry and misshaped, resulting in an imperfect reflection. This is how Paul viewed miraculous spiritual gifts. Yes, they served an important role, through which they communicated something important about God’s plan, namely that the promises of the Spirit had been fulfilled. But Paul saw that they day was coming when we would see God’s plan face to face rather than looking in mirrors. Just as mirrors are unnecessary when we can see face to face, so Paul saw the day approaching when miraculous gifts would be unnecessary.

Then Paul says the same thing in a third way. “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully.” The miraculous spiritual gifts did serve to communicate important knowledge, but the knowledge they communicated was incomplete in nature. Once the completed knowledge is present, the partial knowledge that results from miraculous prophecy and speaking in tongues would be unnecessary.

A Change of Focus

This passage served to direct the Corinthian’s attention away from the pursuit of miraculous spiritual gifts to the imitation of Christ’s love, which is itself a work of the Spirit. Paul wanted the Corinthians to think about the work of the Spirit beyond the miraculous experiences of those in the first century. The fact that love is more enduring made it all the more important for them to prioritize love in the center of their loves in the present.

Unfortunately, many today continue to be infatuated with talking about the Holy Spirit primarily in terms of miraculous gifts, speaking in tongues, and modern-day prophecy. To such, I believe Paul would point to his discussion in 1 Corinthians 12-14 and say, “I will show you a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12:31b).

The Mind of Christ

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This article is the 18th in an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. Click here for links to all the articles in this series.

According to Romans 8, it is only those who set their minds on the things of the Spirit who can please God (8:5-8). It is the Spirit who gives Christians the hope of resurrection (Part 15) and relates them to God as children and heirs with Christ (8:9-17). In this passage, Paul briefly, but explicitly, emphasizes that this hope is directly connected to the cross (Part 17). The Holy Spirit relates us to God as children only if we are willing to put to death the deeds of the body (8:13) and suffer with Christ (8:17).

The connection between the Spirit and the cross, mentioned only briefly in Romans 8, is emphasized continually throughout the entire New Testament. Recognizing this connection is critical if we are to rightly understand and apply the New Testament’s teachings about the Holy Spirit.

What Does it Mean to Be a Christian?

The key question Paul addresses in his letter to the Galatians is this: Who is Israel? Who are those who are to be recognized as God’s true people? The Spirit and the cross are at the very core of Paul’s answer to this question. Throughout the letter, Paul emphasizes that God’s people are not identified by their fleshly characteristics. Israel is not defined as those who are circumcised as Jews, but as those who are in Christ.

But what exactly does this mean? What does it mean for our identity to be “in Christ”? Paul sums up his argument in a great climatic statement found in Galatians 2:20.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Although Paul does not yet mention the Spirit by name, he does speak of the indwelling of Christ – “Christ lives in me.” Even more specifically, Paul speaks of Christ in terms of his self-sacrificial love. Christ, who lives in him, is the Christ “who loved me and gave himself for me.”

According to Paul, to be “in Christ” means that Christ is “in” them, so that what is true of Christ is true of them. It would be reasonable to conclude, therefore, that a person in whom the crucified Christ lives would themselves be a person characterized by the same kind of self-sacrificial love we see in Christ.

But rather than stating this conclusion quite so explicitly, Paul develops this conclusion by discussing the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit of the Crucified Son

Following the discussion of Christ’s self-sacrificial love, Paul’s co-crucifixion with him, and Christ living “in” him, Paul immediately reminds the Galatians that they too had received the Spirit.

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain – if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?

Galatians 3:1-5

Paul says that the Galatians had “received” and “begun by” the Spirit, a reference to the time of their initiation into Christ. Moreover, Paul says that their conversion was in response to the message about Christ’s crucifixion. “It was before your eyes that Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.”

Once again, the Spirit is inseparable from what we see in Christ on the cross. It was initially the preaching of the cross that led to the Galatians reception of the Spirit. Moreover, Paul goes on to specifically identify the Spirit as “The Spirit of his Son.”

But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father!”

Galatians 4:4-6

Just as Paul was “crucified with Christ,” and now had Christ living “in” him, so too when the Galatians responded to the message about the crucifixion, they too received the Spirit of God’s Son who was sent into their hearts at the time of their conversion.

A Spirit of Self-Sacrificial Love

Both Paul and the Galatians had received the Spirit of God’s Son at the time of their co-crucifixion with him (i.e. baptism, Gal 3:27). Paul goes on to describe walking in the Spirit as a life of self-sacrificial, Christ-like, crucifixion-style, love and faithfulness.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Galatians 5:6

Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13b

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is not law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:22-24

In other words, the past act of Christ’s faithful obedience and love, namely his crucifixion, is applied to the lives of those who are “in Christ” through the Spirit as they live with that same kind of faithful obedience and love (and joy, peace, kindness, etc).

The Mind of Christ

As was observed at the beginning of this study (Part 1), the word “Spirit” was always closely connected to a person’s words, or thoughts, or mindset. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as a very particular mindset, namely that of Christ on the cross. This is emphasized not only in Romans and Galatians, but throughout the entire New Testament.

For example, in Ephesians Paul stresses the importance of maintaining the “unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3). Paul then urges the Ephesians to be “renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Eph. 4:24). That means putting away things like lying, anger, theft, and corrupt talk (Eph. 4:25-29), which according to Paul would “grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Eph. 4:30). Instead, Paul urges the Ephesians to mimic the example of Christ, or more specifically, the example Christ on the cross.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 4:32-5:2

Similarly when Paul reminded the Philippians of their “participation in the Spirit” (Phil. 2:1), he had something very particular in mind. It wasn’t the idea of following a still small voice in your heart. Nor did he reduce it down to simply following the Spirit-inspired scriptures. Paul reminded Christians to remember their participation in the Spirit so that they would maintain a particular Christ-like mindset.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:1-8

This was not just Paul’s viewpoint either. John also viewed the presence of God’s Spirit as the imitation of God’s love.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us His Spirit… So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:13, 16

By “love” John specifically had in mind the kind of love we see in Christ on the cross.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3:16

The True Church

How then do we recognize the true people of God? The question is as relevant today as it was when Paul wrote Galatians. When all is said and done, this question can only be answered by going to the cross.

Not only was Christ crucified, but when Christians were baptized, they were put to death with him (Rom. 6:1-4). But this co-crucifixion did not end in baptism. Baptism was only the beginning. The whole world, with it’s fleshly passions and desires, must be crucified to the Christian, and the Christian must be crucified to the world (Gal 5:24; 6:14-16). When we live in this crucified way, we can say with Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

This then, is at the very heart of the New Testament’s teaching about the Spirit. Christ’s church is not defined by their fleshly identity. They are recognized as such because they have been crucified with Christ. The cross is the dividing line between the Christ’s church and the world.  So it was in the first century, and so it is today. That is why Christians must keep in step with the Spirit.

The Spirit Links Christians to the Cross

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This article is the 17th in an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. For earlier parts of this series, click here.

In the first half of Romans 8 (vs. 1-11) Paul argues that it is the Spirit who gives hope for life after, and out of, death. Those who are in Christ have their life in the Spirit (Part 15). In the second half of the chapter, Paul describes the glorious inheritance which can be anticipated by God’s children (vs. 18-36).

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:23

The two sections are linked together by what Paul says in verses 14-17. It is the Spirit who identifies a person as a child of God, and as a child, then as an heir. It is because of the Spirit that we can anticipate an inheritance.

Once again notice that Paul refers to all Christians; not just Jews, not just Gentiles, and not just a few select Christians who had received miraculous spiritual gifts. Observe the use of the words “all”, the plural “you” (I use the word “y’all” in the quotes below), “our”, and “we”. Paul identifies children of God as “all” those who are led by Spirit, by whom “we” (that is, Paul and all those saints to whom he was writing) relate to God as father, and “we” all are joint heirs with Christ. Paul does not exclude any of the saints in Rome to whom he was writing (cf. Rom. 1:7).

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For y’all did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but y’all have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:14-17

According to Paul, it is the Spirit who relates Christians to God as children. First, Paul says “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God” (v. 14). Then he refers to the Spirit as “the Spirit of adoption,” by whom we cry “Abba Father” (v. 15).

How can we know if we are children of God? Because “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (v. 16). It is because of the Spirit that we are assured of our status as heirs with Christ.

Paul does not, however, describe this assurance as mere emotional confidence, or some sort of sentimental feeling in our hearts. It is important to note that the Spirit confirms our identity as children of God only as two conditions are met. First, we must be willing to put to death the deeds of the body. Secondly, we must be willing to suffer with Christ.

Dying with Christ

Immediately prior to Paul’s claim that “all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God,” Paul explains what it means to be “led by the Spirit of God”.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not according to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if y’all live according to the flesh y’all will die, but if by the Spirit y’all put to death the deeds of the body, y’all will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:12-14 (Emphasis added)

It is the Spirit who gives us resurrection hope (Rom. 8:9-11). But this hope is contingent on meeting a condition – indicated by the word “if” in the quote above – “if” we put to death the deeds of the body. Who are those who will live? Only those who put to death the deeds of the body. Who are those who are led by the Spirit? Only those who put to death the deeds of the body. Those who do not put to death the deeds of the body will die – the Spirit offers no hope to such persons.

Just as the Spirit of God was seen in Christ, as he chose to lay down his life (Rom. 5), so the Spirit of God can be seen in Christians when they choose to live with the same mindset – the mindset which puts to death the deeds of the body. It is a hard and painful experience to deny our bodies of what they tell us they want. But a life which is not focused on putting to death fleshly attitudes and actions demonstrates a spirit which is noticeably out of step with the Spirit of Christ on the cross.

A Christian’s existence must be continually characterized by dying with Christ.

Suffering with Christ

Moreover, Paul gives a second condition.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:16-17 (Emphasis added)

According to Paul, the Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God and heirs of Christ. But once again, Paul adds a condition, this time indicated by the word “provided.” The Spirit bears witness that we are children, and thus heirs, “provided” we suffer with Christ.

It is only by sharing in the death and suffering of Christ in the present that Christians are able to love and serve others as Christ did. It is not enough to say that a “spiritual” person is one who obeys the Spirit-inspired words of Scripture, although this is certainly true. The Spirit bears witness that we are children of God only if we are obedient to the point of, and through suffering, as Christ was. It is not simply a general attitude of obedience to Scripture – it is a degree of obedience that remains ready to abandon even life itself.

The Spirit, in other words, links Christians to the cross, and via the cross to Christ through suffering and death. The Spirit of God is in a Christian as they walk with the Spirit of Christ in their life (cf. 8:10). That is, as they share in the mindset (cf. 8:5-8) of Christ, who was willing to obey God even when it meant putting his own life to death for the sake of loving others.

It is this shared Spirit which marks Christians as God’s own children (8:14-17). But this is true only to the extent that their lives are marked by conformity to the mind, or “Spirit” of Christ on the cross.

The Fruit of the Spirit

On By Tyler BoydIn Holy Spirit

This article is the 16th in an ongoing series on the Holy Spirit. To read other articles in this series click here.

According to Romans 8:3-8, there are two alternative ways of living. One can walk by the flesh, with a mind focused on the flesh, or one can walk by the Spirit, with a mind focused on the Spirit (see Part 15). In the book of Galatians, Paul stresses a very similar point.

Two Ways of Living

Paul spent a considerable part of his letter to the Galatians arguing that those who are in Christ are free, both from their pagan past and from the demands of the Jewish law.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1

For you were called to freedom, brothers.

Galatians 5:13a

But Paul also emphasized that a Christian’s freedom comes with responsibility. A Christian’s freedom must not be abused as an opportunity to emphasize the flesh, but is for the specific purpose of loving and serving one another. Unfortunately, the controversies in the Galatian churches led to behavior that Paul could describe as “biting” and “devouring” one another.

Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:13b-15

It is then that Paul makes his point. If Christians are going to fulfill the commandment “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” there is only one way to do this. This cannot be accomplish by them in emphasizing, or finding their true identity in the “flesh” by getting circumcised. Emphasizing the flesh ultimately leads to a disastrous way of life. It can only happen by the Spirit.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:16-24

Crucified with Christ

Underneath these two contrasting lists (the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit) lies Paul’s understanding of what happens in baptism. Notice that Paul concludes his two lists by speaking of those who “belong to Christ Jesus” who have “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” As noted previously (Part 12), Paul assumed that all Christians had been baptized in the Spirit and had the Spirit who was sent into their heart (cf. Gal. 3:2-7, 27-28; 4:4-7).

First Paul describes the condition he refers to as “in the flesh.” Those who find their identity by emphasizing their fleshly characteristics will ultimately produce the “works of the flesh.” But those who belong to Christ Jesus have gone through a “crucifixion” with him (cf. Gal. 2:20; Rom 6:1-4) . What they have “crucified” is the kind of life which is driven the passions and desires of the flesh. As a result of their “crucifixion” they now begin to bear new “fruit.”

The Spirit and Self-Control

It is important to note that the nine attributes described by Paul as the fruit of the Spirit (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control) are not characteristics which will develop by a person’s own efforts apart from the Spirit. But neither should we imagine these attributes as things which simply happen “to” a Christian without them thinking or intending to practice them. Christians must make up their minds to live this way. It is not a matter of simply being baptized, and then putting our bodies on autopilot mode while the Spirit takes over control.

If that were the case, there would be no reason for what Paul says next.

If we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Galatians 5:25

Similar to what Paul says in Romans 8:5-8, if we are going to walk by the Spirit, we must intentionally keep our minds focused on, and submissive to the path that the Spirit lays before us. Contrary to the idea of the Spirit taking control of someone’s mind or body, Paul says “self-control” is part of the fruit of the Spirit. A Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life is a self-controlled, self-disciplined life. It is a life which intentionally follows the footprints laid by God’s Spirit.

Paul’s point is that if we choose to follow the steps laid by God’s Spirit, God’s breath, God’s words, and God’s way of thinking (cf. Part 1), this is the kind of fruit we will see in our life. When Christians demonstrate these characteristics, it can only be attributed to God’s Spirit, because this fruit will not develop when we follow our own steps, or the steps of any other man.

The Importance of the Spirit

The point Paul makes is as relevant for the church today as it was then. There are many today who emphasize the need for love, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. with an attitude towards God’s word that deemphasizes doctrine whenever they fear it will lead to arguments or disagreement. There are others who are so passionate about defending “the truth” (or rather their party or sect’s definition of the truth; a false “truth” which is determined by their fleshly identity) that their lives are filled with fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, and divisions.

Paul’s answer to these two errors is short and clear. As Christians, we must be people who are determined to follow His Spirit, His breath, His words, and His way of thinking. If we live by the Spirit, our lives will bear His fruit.

Christians who are concerned with speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15) do themselves a disservice when they do not ground in their teaching, as Paul did, in a biblical understanding of the Holy Spirit.