We cultivate the fruit of the Spirit through daily individual decisions in which we reject the flesh and yield to the Holy Spirit. These decisions add up over time and put us on a trajectory to more productive Christian living. We are beginning to “walk by the Spirit”. A “walk” implies both direction and empowerment; The Holy Spirit gives the believer both of these.
Consider these pairs of Polar Opposites: Plus and Minus, Night and Day, Black and White, Light and Darkness, Win or Lose, Right and Wrong, Life and Death, Heaven and Hell.
Now let’s add one to it: Law and Grace. Grace and Law should be treated as Polar Opposites; it’s vital that we see this difference for what it is.
Grace has been an important issue in the church since the earliest days of the church. Today we’ll read of an incident that happened in Antioch where Paul was serving. We’ll want to learn from it if we’re going to be able to show the same kind of grace toward others that God has already shown us. Grace is also important as the means by which we continue our Christian growth.
When Christ comes into our lives and begins to change us, one of the desires He places within us is the desire to be used by God in the lives of others. This is a natural part of our growth. We get satisfaction when we see that the Lord has made us his instrument to meet someone else’s need, to help them through a time of trouble or be a part of their spiritual growth. So here is a question: How does God prepare us to be used? A quick look at the life of Paul will give us some answers to that query.
Central Reflections 