Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming the kingdom of heaven is here—around us, within us. He proceeded to try to explain how to live in the kingdom. Later he discussed leaving the Holy Spirit behind when he physically departed.
How do we live in that spirit? That is the question.
There are few thoughts in the New Testament that intrigue me more than this passage from the end of the Letter to the Galatians. Here, Paul describes two ways of life.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these, there is no law. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Let us not be conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.
Think of the people you know who live like the first description.
Now, think of people you know who live the second way of life.
Which would you rather be?
As for me, I would like to live like the second one, but it’s not easy. We must constantly renew our connection with the Spirit. Even once a day doesn’t always work for me.
Faith Venture 
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