When the lawyers and religious experts questioned Jesus, they often asked the same anxious question: “What must I do to inherit the kingdom of God?” They were looking for a checklist—some spiritual formula for earning eternal life. But in Galatians 5:21, Paul crushes any hope that sinful human effort can produce kingdom life. After listing the “works of the flesh,” he warns, “Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Why? Because the kingdom of God is a place of purity, truth, love, and holiness—none of which can coexist with a life dominated by the flesh. The problem is not that sinners are barred from the kingdom; the problem is that sin itself is incompatible with the kingdom. Those who cling to a life of selfishness and rebellion are simply not suited for the world to come.
But the story does not end with exclusion. There is another way to live. It does not begin with self-improvement or religious achievement. It begins where the prodigal son began—in humble confession. When he finally faced himself honestly, he said, “I am no longer worthy.” That is the turning point. Christ uses God’s law to strip away our illusions of self-righteousness. The law does not save—it exposes. It shows us our condition, then drives us to grace. And grace is what God freely offers at the cross. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God did not wait for us to climb up to Him—He came down to us. That is why salvation is not achieved by works of the flesh. It is received by faith in Christ alone.
Once faith opens the door of the heart, something supernatural happens—the Spirit moves in. A new life begins, not fueled by human effort but empowered by divine presence. Paul contrasts this new life with the old in Galatians 5:22–23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Notice the contrast—works of the flesh versus fruit of the Spirit. Works are manufactured; fruit grows. Works are human; fruit is divine. Paul uses “fruit” in the singular, not plural. He is not listing nine separate fruits. It is one fruit with many expressions—love being the root from which the others blossom. Love is the mark of true spiritual life because God Himself is love. Jesus said that all of God’s law rests on one command: love God and love others. Paul shows how that love unfolds—joy replaces empty pleasure, peace silences conflict, patience conquers irritation, kindness heals hurts, goodness defeats corruption, faithfulness withstands trials, gentleness breaks cycles of violence, and self-control ends the tyranny of self. The flesh produces chaos. The Spirit produces character. That is the difference between those who will not inherit the kingdom—and those in whom the kingdom has already begun.