Day 3 - Week 56 - Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

We've talked about love (the primary characteristic that drives all others), and joy and peace (they seem to go hand-in-hand, don't they?).

Today, patience and kindness...which also seem to couple together nicely!  I can't speak for you, but patience may be one slice of the Spirit's fruit that I need to ask God to develop more completely in me.  When others aren't moving on my timetable, I can grow impatient quickly.  And this is seriously ironic, because many times I am the one that someone else is waiting on and I expect complete patience from them.  Ouch!  I think as I was typing that the Holy Spirit was directing my fingers because the realization of just how annoying I must be at times glared right back at me from the computer screen!  Isn't it funny how the things that annoy us most are sometimes the things that we are the most guilty of?  Well, maybe not so funny.

The Greek word used for patience in our text is "makrothumia", and carries with it a wide array of definition:  patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, long suffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.

While my scenario still fits within the definition, there is much more that we are to be as Spirit-filled Christians when we are "patient."  This same word is used in Romans 2:4 in describing God's patience toward us, allowing us time to come to Him in repentance.  We need to reflect God's Spirit in being patient with those who have not yet been empowered through His Spirit to godliness, praying for them to see His way for their lives and submit to His will.  But with God's patience also comes a warning...

Romans 2:4-7, "Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?   But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed.   He will repay each one according to his works :eternal life to those who by patiently doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;   but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth, but are obeying unrighteousness.

We are told that God is patient, and when we reflect His Spirit, we, too, will be patient.  Unlike God, we do not have the power or the ability to bring judgment on anyone.  He will repay, that is not our assigned task.  We are to be patient, and kind....

Seems a natural lead in to kindness, doesn't it?  God calls us to be kind.  What is your first image of "kindness?"  To me, it is of a grandma, sweet and soft, baking cookies for her grandchildren, dispensing them with a huge hug...now that's kindness!  But my image, or yours, may not be the correct image for our Scripture.

Here the Greek word used is "chrestotes", which means moral goodness, integrity,  benignity, kindness.  It is the same word used in our reference text above (Romans 2:4) which tells us why it is that God grants such patience to us...it is because of His kindness.

The word is used again in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians...I think this passage speaks so well to the heart we are to have to those we are ministering to..

As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.  For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

We put no stumbling block in any one's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.   Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;    in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors;   known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.  2 Corinthians 6:1-11

Notice the coupling again of patience and kindness.  Yes, we are to be kind in the way that I pictured a grandmother's loving kindness, but we must realize that the ultimate kindness to anyone is to share with them the message of Christ.  For if we retain the message and do not share it with a lost and dying world, then how can we claim any degree of kindness within us?  And if that "lost and dying world" is within our very near vicinity...what excuse do we have.  This kindness carries with it every definition that we previously listed, for we will have to have moral goodness to be a credible witness to our faith, we will have to live lives of integrity so that people know that we are not saying one thing and doing another, we will extend benignity (OK, I had to look that one up), kind and gracious acts...just like James tells us, we will have to put actions behind our words...we will be kind!  Through and through.

Patience and Kindness...words with deeper meanings than maybe we have previously applied.  Deeper...that's where God's Word will always lead.

  

Day 2 - Week 56 - Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

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.

Day 1 - Week 56 - A new week - Springtime!

This week will herald the arrival of Spring...it is always so welcome, isn't it?  Even though we really didn't have that much winter weather this year, springtime always brings with it the reminder of renewal and regeneration.  You see the trees budding out, the daffodils pushing their way out of the ground, the birds singing again in the morning and you're reminded that all is again becoming alive.  It is so perfect that Easter is celebrated at this time of year --- just as the earth is waking from its slumber of winter, we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, showing us that the earth only gives us a small sampling of the total regeneration of life we will experience when we pass through the slumber of our physical deaths.  God gives us so many ways to see Him through His creation, doesn't He?  He writes His story in the large and small details of our earthly existence, we just have to open our eyes to see Him...and He is there!

We've got another verse to add to our section on the Holy Spirit's role in our lives.  Let's review and then let's talk!

Promises of God (10)

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (ESV)

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 3:-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will support you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you.

Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

Our verse this week is the quintessential verse regarding the fruit of the Spirit...Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."

I memorized this verse several years ago to remind myself what my life should look like if I am allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within me.  I mentally click off the nine adjectives and ask God to show me in what area(s) I may need Him to shine a light and make me aware that I am not bending to His direction. 

Interestingly, and maybe obviously, the first characteristic of the Spirit's fruit is love.  I was reading a section in  Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love, and was again impressed with Chan's exhortation to take our call, as Christians, to love God in a crazy way...just as He loves us.  We can only do that through the Holy Spirit living within us.  But it seems that we are not often told to love God with a wild abandon.  We are taught to love Him within boundaries of reasonableness, but that is not how God loves us, is it?  He loves us so much that He allowed His Son to come to earth to explain His love through His life, and then through His very humiliating and painful death.  That's the "craziness" of God's love.
The world throws the word "love" around very casually...we love just about everyone and everything.  But God's love is sacrificial love.  When we love the way God loves, we will withhold nothing in the expression of that love.  I don't know about you...I love my family like that, but when it comes to those outside of my familial relationships, I may say I love others, but when push comes to shove, would I really be ready to express love for them as Jesus expressed His love for us?  That's what we are asked to do...and as Francis Chan also points out, we don't take that call very seriously.  We say we love God, but we very often don't have time to invest in our relationship with Him...what kind of love is that?  And if we can't put our love for a perfect, flawless God into action, how will we ever demonstrate a love for people who, like it or not, often irritate us...just as we do them!  We must love God completely, we must seek Him desperately, so that we can then love His children, flaws and all, as He does.  To see those around us through God's eyes of absolute love...then we will be able to start showing acts of sacrifice in response to our love.

"Love, Love, Love...all you need is Love."  Yeah - maybe we've devalued the word just a little bit, do you think?  The next time you start to say, "I love....." whatever the object may be, think about what you would be ready to sacrifice for that object, and then reconsider your vow of emotion.  

Lord, help me to love in the way that You desire, completely and sacrificially.  Help me not to throw around my emotions on things that don't matter to You, but to truly and absolutely love people that You care so much about.  Help me to love deeper and more authentically.  Help me not to be superficial or false.  Allow Your Spirit to develop in me a love that is true and that makes a difference.  Thank You for Your amazing and gracious love toward me.  In my Savior Jesus' name. Amen.