Notice that there is but one "fruit"...this isn't a list of the "fruits" of the Spirit, this is one big combination fruit. Significance of that? Well, we can't say that I exhibit this fruit or that fruit, but one of the other fruits just isn't on my tree. Nope, if we have the fruit, we will exhibit all of the Spirit's fullness of flavor...all of the characteristics listed will be evident in our lives. This is only possible through the Holy Spirit living in us, and by us living lives of non-restraint upon the Spirit within us. Our natural person does not always want to be loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle or self-controlled. These are things that in our natural state we have days when we tend to puff up like a two year-old and say, "I don't wanna!" But the Spirit leads us to see that these are ways of godliness, these are the ways we show we love God and love others.
There it is again - love. The first characteristic of the Spirit's fruit. Love drives everything else - probably the reason it is listed first. Without love, we will not have the desire to live a life depicting all of the other attributes. Love makes us want the rest of the list.
What's next? Joy! I think the absence of joy in a believer's life is just such a shame. I don't understand it, really. When we have experienced God's love toward us, how can we not be bursting at the seams with joy? I know that life brings pain, sorrow and troubles, and I'm not saying that we can laugh them all away. But in the middle of everything, down in our core, when the Holy Spirit is living there, we can know that we have something that can never be taken away...we have Jesus. He is our Source of joy. Just as James could say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance," we can have joy because we know God brings purpose with everything in life. We know that we do not walk through the hard times alone. God is there with us, working through the trials for our good. Remember Romans 8:28? "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
We can have joy --- not only in the good times, but in the tough times. And in the good times, let's really express the joy of our blessings! It's OK! If life is good right now, praise God! Thank Him and let people know that you are joyful in your blessing...don't be someone who is just waiting for the next trial to come, looking around the corner to see if it's on it's way. Enjoy the day of celebration and give thanks!
Because of the things that bring us an inexplicable joy no matter what, we also can experience peace, the third virtue of the Spirit. "Peace that passes all understanding," is what the Spirit brings to us. Peace in knowing that God is still in control, still sovereign, watching over His children. Again, it doesn't mean that our lives are always peaceful---but in the middle of upheaval or strife, the heart of the believer can find peace, a supernatural peace that should be noticeable by all those around.
I believe that the most effective witnessing tools of a Christian are joy and peace, because they are so uncommon among most people in our daily lives. To exhibit true joy and true peace no matter what your circumstances has to cause others around us to sit up and take notice. To live lives of such remarkable difference should cause questions, and questions are the perfect opening for sharing the blessing of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Today be joyful...allow Him to turn the corners of your mouth up in a smile that you can't explain! Today be peaceful...allow Him to calm your heart no matter what unexpected thing may come your way that would otherwise upset your day.
Today, let the Spirit dwell fully within you...enjoy His fruit in your life.
There it is again - love. The first characteristic of the Spirit's fruit. Love drives everything else - probably the reason it is listed first. Without love, we will not have the desire to live a life depicting all of the other attributes. Love makes us want the rest of the list.
What's next? Joy! I think the absence of joy in a believer's life is just such a shame. I don't understand it, really. When we have experienced God's love toward us, how can we not be bursting at the seams with joy? I know that life brings pain, sorrow and troubles, and I'm not saying that we can laugh them all away. But in the middle of everything, down in our core, when the Holy Spirit is living there, we can know that we have something that can never be taken away...we have Jesus. He is our Source of joy. Just as James could say, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance," we can have joy because we know God brings purpose with everything in life. We know that we do not walk through the hard times alone. God is there with us, working through the trials for our good. Remember Romans 8:28? "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
We can have joy --- not only in the good times, but in the tough times. And in the good times, let's really express the joy of our blessings! It's OK! If life is good right now, praise God! Thank Him and let people know that you are joyful in your blessing...don't be someone who is just waiting for the next trial to come, looking around the corner to see if it's on it's way. Enjoy the day of celebration and give thanks!I believe that the most effective witnessing tools of a Christian are joy and peace, because they are so uncommon among most people in our daily lives. To exhibit true joy and true peace no matter what your circumstances has to cause others around us to sit up and take notice. To live lives of such remarkable difference should cause questions, and questions are the perfect opening for sharing the blessing of Jesus Christ in our lives.
Today be joyful...allow Him to turn the corners of your mouth up in a smile that you can't explain! Today be peaceful...allow Him to calm your heart no matter what unexpected thing may come your way that would otherwise upset your day.
Today, let the Spirit dwell fully within you...enjoy His fruit in your life.
1 comment:
I feel God's Holy Spirit within me today. I am thankful for the many blessings He has given me. I trust God and I will remain patient in the experiences of this broken world of broken relationships. God leads me and I will follow His path for my life. There is joy because of the fruit of God's Spirit. I feel inner peace and joy because I know God is in control of my life.
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