The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men. But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels over the law, for they are Read more
Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1 I remember a wise priest who once told me, “When you point your finger at someone, you often fail to notice that there are three fingers pointing back at you.” Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:3-5, “Why do you Read more
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Galatians 6:1 In our previous reflection, we examined Galatians 5:26 – “Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.” This is the Read more
Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another. Galatians 5:26 The next four reflections will discuss our relationships with our neighbors, as related to the Fruit of the Spirit, with a fifth and concluding reflection at the end of the week. There is Read more
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 I’m a nice jerk. I’m a truthful liar. Can these be true statements? It would seem not. Either a person classifies as “nice” or as a “jerk.” Someone either tells the truth all the time Read more
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24 “Do you unite yourself to Christ?” This is a question that is asked of everyone who is baptized in the Orthodox Church before they are baptized. Of course, most of us were Read more
And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is Read more
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate Read more
Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:23 Have you ever had the experience of driving on a road where you didn’t know what the speed limit is? I got on a freeway in rural California and didn’t know if the limit was 55 or 65 or 70. So I Read more
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. I Corinthians 9:24-25 I love the Read more
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one Read more
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”-and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant Read more