The Message

Noramally, I really don't like the paraphrase of the Bible called The Message. But at Hillsong on Sunday (went with ILC and PL, who are both in town, ILC for work, PL to visit me), they used a passage that I actually thought was quite good.

"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard — things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way."

In case you were wondering, this is the New International Version equivalent:

"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."

~ Galatians 5:22-23