“Why do I need to have God in my life? As long as I don’t hurt other people, why can’t I just do as I please?” That’s what more and more people are coming to believe. They want to find a middle ground between submission to the authority of Christ and the kind of wicked depravity they see increasing in the world all around us. In short, they want to remain in charge of their lives, picking and choosing the parts of different theologies and philosophies they want to believe and practice.

But the reality, as Paul points out in today’s passage, is a lot more like buying a car than like browsing a buffet. Just as you can’t get the premium stereo without also paying for the in-dash navigation system, spiritual blessings or curses come as part of a package. If you live according to the self-centered flesh, you get verses 19 through 21. If you belong to Christ, you get verses 22 and 23. You have to pick one or the other, and you can’t mix and match.

That’s why, no matter what the Romantics continue to insist, you can’t get peace and love by living a fleshly, selfish life marked by immorality, impurity and sensuality. And thousands of years of human experience have confirmed that Paul is right: the pursuit of selfish pleasure always leads to enmities, strife, jealousy, and outbursts of anger. A life focused on gratifying the self always ends up setting us at odds with other people.

On the other hand, someone who is motivated by genuine love for others, someone who is focused on the needs of others rather than the desires of the self just won’t have time for drunkenness or carousing, and certainly won’t hate or envy those they are trying to serve and bless. No, when we truly love someone we are always patient and kind and faithful toward him or her, aren’t we?

So, since life is a package deal, which would you prefer? Or more precisely, as Paul says in verse 17, which of two opposite sides will you take today? Will you serve yourself? Or will you walk in the Spirit and freely follow the Law of love?

Galatians 5:16-26 (NAS)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.