A checklist for Christians

A checklist for Christians

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
                                                                                    Galatians 5: 19-26

Here is a checklist we as Christians need to look at carefully  

The sinful nature The fruit of the Spirit 

sexual immorality        Love, Joy, Peace,
impurity and debauchery         patience kindness
idolatry, witchcraft, hatred goodness faithfulness
discord, jealousy, fits of rage,  gentleness self-control
selfish ambition, dissensions, 
factions envy; drunkenness, orgies.

Sadly over the years I’ve seen many calling themselves Christians who have had more check marks on the left list than on the right.
As I look at demonstrators in front of abortion clinics and protesting against gay rights I have to ask myself are they exhibiting Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, goodness, gentleness, self control?  I know for certain those being demonstrated against are not seeing love or any of the other attributes Christians are suppose to be showing.
I like what the Apostle Paul says here,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
Christ and the apostles never demonstrated against the secular Roman government. They stuck to the message of salvation and changed the world.
We may not agree with the things that are happening in our society. We may not agree with what laws our government pass. I’m sure the apostles didn’t agree with some of the laws of Rome yet they never spoke out against them.
They exhibited “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.”  Which is what we should do.
The writer of Hebrews wrote,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 
Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.