“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21). In that list of works of the flesh there is not one greater than another, because all separate us from God. Drunkenness is not greater than outbursts of wrath – murder is not greater than jealousies – sorcery is not greater than envy – etc. Paul wrote that “such things shall not inherit.” Praise God that we have a rescuer that will redeem us. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
It is not the intent of the writer of Galatians that we should turn away from those that work the works of the flesh. “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). Paul is writing that we should put up with the works of the flesh in others in order to restore them, but it is not us that saves – “so fulfill the law of Christ.” Jesus set the example Paul is writing about, “love as I have loved.”
“Then Jesus answered and said, ‘O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?'” (Matthew 17:17). The King James Version of the Bible uses the word “suffer” in place of “bear with” – “How long shall I suffer you?” Longsuffering is an attribute of love and love and longsuffering are fruits of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22). “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
“Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:24-26). It is our flesh that dies with Jesus on the cross and the spirit that is restored, so it is in Spirit that we live. Paul is telling us to walk like we live in the Spirit by putting away the works of the flesh and showing the works of the Spirit, even to those that walk in the flesh. Our spirit is restored and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. “You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:13b-14). Concerning the works of the flesh, such things will not inherit the kingdom (see Galatians 5:21). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). By the blood of Jesus we have redemption, that is grace. Salvation is not by our works – works shall not inherit the kingdom of God. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).
If works shall not inherit the kingdom of God, what is the meaning of “faith without works?” “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22). “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Some of the attributes of love are listed in the negative. Look at them in the positive. Does not envy; shares in others joy – does not parade itself; gives glory to another – is not puffed up; empties oneself – does not behave rudely; behaves with grace and mercy – does not seek its own; considers others – is not provoked; is kind and shows kindness – thinks no evil; thinks good thoughts – does not rejoice in iniquity; rejoices in the truth. Some people want practical examples; Jesus is the practical example of the attributes of love.
“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice” (Romans 7:18-19). “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God–through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25)! When it seems that we cannot win over the flesh and the works of the flesh, there is the grace of God. Jesus suffered for us and suffered with us in all things and has overcome this world. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:4-5)? “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).