Week Five, Day Five
Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You?
Galatians 5:22-26

What if you were stranded in another country without any form of identification?  How could you prove that you are who you say you are? 

In a similar fashion, if someone were wondering if you were a Christian, would they be able to tell without asking?  Did you know that no one in the Bible called himself a Christian?  That name was something someone would be called by others who saw a difference in the way that he or she lived.  Their lives were so different that they pointed people to Christ!

What things do you think people could see that would show them that someone is a Christian?  Do you know anyone who lives a life like Jesus?

According to Galatians 5:22, these are the ³pieces of evidence² that can be brought forth in a Christian¹s life:

• love
• joy
• peace
• longsuffering
• kindness
• goodness
• faithfulness
• gentleness
• self-control

These may seem like simple facts if you¹ve heard them your whole life, or they may be brand new to you.  Regardless, note that these are FRUITS of the Spirit¹s work within us.  We cannot just create the fruit ­ you¹ve got to have the ROOT! 

Put it this way ­ imagine you are in the courtroom trying to prove you are a Christian.  You bring out all of this convincing evidence: positive attitudes, good works, and everything kind.  It¹s still not enough.  Until you bring out the source of your fruit.  God walks in, identifies you as one of His children, and the case is closed.

Application:

• Does your relationship with God so exude from you that the fruit is obvious?
• If not, ask God to give you a passion for His word.  Ask to know Him more.  When you grow the root, you will grow the fruit.
• Ask God to allow His evidence to flow through you in such a way that people would be drawn to Him.