One Gorgeous Flower
“Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no Law.” (Galatians 3:24-25; 5:22-23)
Law is not needed for those who walk in the Spirit. The following is a good expression of this idea by Vladimir Gelesnoff…
“Nine virtues are clustered together in the description of the spirit’s fruit. These virtues are not separate flowers of a bouquet; they are the petals of one gorgeous flower exhibiting varying shades of form and color. The spirit is exempt from the law by virtue of its nature, which is in complete accord with the aim of law. The law required the very fruit which the spirit yields. The whole law is fulfilled in one expression – ye shall love. The fruit of the spirit is love. Hence “against such there is no law.” But while love was the intent of the law, it was powerless to effect it, its good intents being thwarted by the weakness of the flesh. The spirit is not vexed by such a handicap.”
Vladimir Gelesnoff (1877-1921) Unsearchable Riches, Vol. 10 (1918)
As men and women in this age, we often jump from the flesh to the spirit. I prefer those who walk in “Spirit” most of the time. And many who do rarely darken the doors of a church. They seem to love and accept people for who they are rather than compare them to Creeds or Statements of Faith created by religious men.
"By this all men will know that you are my followers, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
Law is not needed for those who walk in the Spirit. The following is a good expression of this idea by Vladimir Gelesnoff…
“Nine virtues are clustered together in the description of the spirit’s fruit. These virtues are not separate flowers of a bouquet; they are the petals of one gorgeous flower exhibiting varying shades of form and color. The spirit is exempt from the law by virtue of its nature, which is in complete accord with the aim of law. The law required the very fruit which the spirit yields. The whole law is fulfilled in one expression – ye shall love. The fruit of the spirit is love. Hence “against such there is no law.” But while love was the intent of the law, it was powerless to effect it, its good intents being thwarted by the weakness of the flesh. The spirit is not vexed by such a handicap.”
Vladimir Gelesnoff (1877-1921) Unsearchable Riches, Vol. 10 (1918)
As men and women in this age, we often jump from the flesh to the spirit. I prefer those who walk in “Spirit” most of the time. And many who do rarely darken the doors of a church. They seem to love and accept people for who they are rather than compare them to Creeds or Statements of Faith created by religious men.
"By this all men will know that you are my followers, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)
This love is not confined to members of a church. In fact, there is little love expressed to those who are not on its membership roles, in my observation. Nevertheless, those who "love one another" are followers of Jesus whether they would admit it or not.