For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Romans 7:5-6

Jesus said “You will be known by your fruits” (Matthew 7:16) So what did Jesus mean by this? And what fruit are you producing? When people see your life, do they recognize you are a Christian? Or do you look just like the rest of the world? When I hear Christians say “My neighbors or coworkers had no idea I was a Christian” I wonder how can this be? How can you claim to live for Christ and Christ is not seen through you? Fruits are evidence of your conversion, Christ said he can tell by how you are living your life. Are you producing fruits of the flesh or fruits of the Holy Spirit?

As the Apostle Paul states “when we were in the flesh, we bear fruit of death” When we live by the flesh, we are carnally minded and produce fruits of the flesh. The fruits of the flesh, which lead to death by The Law, as we can’t find a way to get out o, f this cycle of sin. As the proverbs says “like a dog that returns to its vomit” (Proverbs 26:11) This is what the carnally minded are like human animals, looking to gratify the flesh and reaping more judgement upon themselves daily

So how can we break this cycle? As Jesus said “You must be Born Again” (John 3:3) Until you are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you can’t overcome the flesh. As the Apostle Paul states here “serve in the newness of the Spirit” What is the newness of the Spirit? Paul mentions this in Romans 6, “walk in the newness of life” (Romans 6:4) This is regeneration of the Holy Spirit, you have been released by the bondages of the flesh and The Law, you will produce fruits of the Holy Spirit now, the newness of life

This is why Jesus said “a good tree will produce good fruit”, “a bad tree will produce bad fruit” (Matthew 7:17-20) If the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, you will produce fruits of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit doesn’t live inside of you, then you will continue produce fruits of the flesh, you are still dead in your sins and not alive in Christ (Ephesians 2)

Through Christ, “we are now delivered from The Law having died to what we were held by” Your old self has been buried with Christ, your new self has been risen with Christ, we are now Born Again in Christ, as a New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:7) led by the Holy Spirit, Amen!