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.

Day 5 - Week 55 - Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

Last thoughts on submission to others...when are we not to submit?  Anytime?  Let's look quickly at the context of the verse to gain insight.

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body.31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.   

The verse we have been studying is Paul's lead-in verse to his discourse on the relationship between husbands and wives.  So is our verse limited to this relationship...no, I don't think so.  I think Paul has been telling us everything that we have focused in on this week about humility and our lack of concern about our image when we serve others.  But he does then move into the specifics of submission between spouses (and it really is mutual submission to each other). 

So are there times when we do not submit - but we stand in strong opposition to someone asking us to do things that we, as Christians, oppose?   I believe there is Biblical support for this argument. There is Christ's example in cleaning the temple...He did not submit to the societal norm of the time when He saw something diametrically opposed to His Father's will.  There is the example of the apostles who continued to preach when the Jewish leaders instructed them to cease and when they came up against Roman rule.  Obviously they did not submit, as 11 of the 12 were martyred for their faith.  (John was the only one who died a natural death, but that was after years of isolation and imprisonment.)

Our verse's "one another" seems to lend itself to our Christian brothers and sisters.  We are never to be prideful in our relationships with those who share our faith and are walking beside us, journeying in lives of trying to please God and share His message with others.  We are to be jointly submissive and encouraging, building each other up. 

But when we are called to take a stand, then that same encouragement from inside our Christian family should be there to form the bond of unity in opposition to those who would work toward the elimination of our message of Christ's love. 

Day 4 - Week 55 - Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

Humility doesn't go around groveling in the dirt and saying, "I'm an idiot.  I'm no good.  I'm cheap.  I'm worthless."  After all, we're the climax and crown of His creative genius, made in His image. We're worth more than many sparrows; we're worth so much Christ died for us.  We're heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ.  Humility isn't a matter of saying, "I'm worthless!"  It's saying, "He is worthy!" - Robert J. Morgan

Over the past 30+ years, our education system has put great emphasis on building self-esteem in our children.  Sometimes, I think this goal has overridden some other very worthy goals of education.  We were told that our children need immense praise and very little criticism.  I think while there is merit to a degree of that psychological philosophy, I also think we can go overboard and develop a semi-narcissistic society...which is exactly what seems to have happened.  But the ironic thing is, true self-esteem is still missing...there is a false bravado of worthiness, while many still feel very worthless.  Because we are told that we "deserve" everything, we chase after everything, finding that nothing brings us a feeling of true value.

Robert J. Morgan hits the nail on the head when it comes to how we should view our worth.  We are valued and valuable because we are God's ultimate work of creation made in His image.  That is where we find our worthiness.  And once we come to that realization, then we can view ourselves in the manner that we should.  We were created to bring glory to our Creator.  There is great value in knowing that the Creator of the universe takes delight in us...in fact, can it get any better than that?  Can anything in this world bring that kind of self-fulfillment or satisfaction? 

When we realize the value that we have, and the joy we bring to God, then we can be confident in taking on any task that He brings our way.  We don't have to worry about lowering ourselves into a position that we think may make us look less valuable...because we know when we do just that, we are fulfilling the purpose for which we were designed.

Day 3 - Week 55 - Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

We've talked about what it means to submit to one another, and probably are getting a good grasp (even if it may be an unnatural one!) on how we are supposed to surrender ourselves to humility and servant hood.  OK - but now we need to look at why Paul felt it necessary to add to this directive, "in the fear of Christ."  I have the tendency to react to this statement as some people do when they read an e-mail from a co-worker or a friend and they are attempting to read the motive behind the words.  The response you always hear is..."What do you think they meant by that?"  Most usually, they meant just about what they said, no hidden message buried behind the words.  Is that the case here?

Paul says we are to submit to each other in the fear of Christ.  Does that mean that if we don't do it we need to be afraid that Jesus is going to punish us?  That might be the first meaning that some people would take from these words, especially if they are new to Bible study and have not become acquainted with the many different meanings of the word "fear" which the Bible uses.  Let's look at the original Greek word used in this verse and how different translations render it.

The Greek word used is phobos - it is used 44 times in the New Testament.  The definition is fear, dread, terror, or....reverence for one's husband.  Well that sheds a different light on it, doesn't it?  The English Standard Version goes with that definition when it states the verse, "Submitting to one another in reverence for Christ, while God's Word Translation says, "Place yourselves under each other's authority out of respect for Christ." 

Why should our reverence or respect for Christ cause us to submit to others?  Because as we stated yesterday, He is the ultimate example of submission.  If we regard Him as the One we want to emulate, then we will follow His example.  By doing so, we show Him that we respect His lifestyle, that we revere His lessons to us and that we are not ignoring them.

Our respect for Christ also causes us to have a truer picture of ourselves, and reminds us that we have no reason to elevate ourselves to any position of haughtiness or superiority.  As Robert J. Morgan puts it,

True humility, the pith of godliness, doesn't mean developing an unhealthy self-image but a healthy image---not of ourselves---but of the Lord Jesus. It's thinking realistically of ourselves and optimistically of Him.  It isn't thinking little of ourselves; it's thinking of ourselves less and less and of Him more and more.

That's what Paul meant by that!  When we have an accurate view of Christ and of all He did for us, we increasingly diminish our need to make ourselves the one that others have to bend to...we would much rather give Him the glory by bending at any opportunity, showing the humbleness that He has taught us, and enjoying the moment of basking in His grace and mercy as we extend the same to someone else.  I think those are the moments when we truly understand. 

No hidden messages, no hidden agendas, just another way to carry out the mission of conveying God's love.  I can't close this without thinking of Mother Teresa, who in our lifetime, I think, exemplifies the kind of "submission" that Paul is pushing us toward.  Mother Teresa left her mother and sister in Albania at the age of 18, never to see them again.  She spent over 45 years ministering to the poverty-stricken of Calcutta, India.  She did not have to do this, but she felt she absolutely had to because of her respect for Christ..."I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. It was an order. To fail would have been to break the faith." 

True humility, true love for God, true submission.

Day 2 - Week 55 - Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

So how does Paul jump from giving thanks for everything right over to submitting to one another as he discusses how we are to live as Spirit-filled Christians?  It seems he sees it fitting very comfortably as the third in the list of measures of our reflection of the Holy Spirit in our lives...singing, thanksgiving and now submission.

As Robert J. Morgan puts it, each attitude that Paul identifies seem to "bore more deeply into our personalities.  It's relatively easy to burst into song, more difficult to be thankful on rough days, and harder still to remain humble in our relationships."

So if submission to others is one of the gauges of our willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives, how are we doing?  And what do we look at in our lives to even know how we're doing on this measure?  Does "submitting to one another" mean that we allow anyone and everyone to dominate us and order us around without any boundaries?  When do we get to say no?

What's a Spirit-filled Christian to do??

Well, in a perfect world (that would be where we're heading!), the verse would be heeded by all, so each of us would be submitting to "one another", no one would be taken advantage of and have to be the "submittee" all the time.   I think Paul is saying that when we are following the lead of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will continuously be ready to humble ourselves into a place of servanthood for anyone who needs our help, to do whatever is needed without thought as to whether or not the task at hand is too lowly for us.  It is not establishing ourselves in a permanent place of being a doormat, for there are times when someone else will be submitting themselves to us, to do for us something that the Holy Spirit is nudging them to do. 

To me, the major point is to never establish ourselves as too high, too good, too anything that would disable us from reducing ourselves to a point low enough to serve anyone, any where.   For I believe anyone, any where, can be put in our lives just so that we can show them that we need no other regard than the regard of our Father; and knowing that He regards our ability to voluntarily take on the role of a servant as one of a Christian's most noble of characteristics, makes us long to do just that.

Jesus is our most wonderful example of absolute servanthood.  He submitted Himself to His disciples when He lovingly washed their feet...He submitted Himself to humanity when He lovingly took all of their sins, marching to Calvary with not only the load of the cross, but with the load of mankind's sinfulness bearing on Him.

If pride is the soil of sinfulness, humility is the heart of holiness.  It's the basic bread-and-butter attitude of: ' Jesus first, others second, and I'll take the leftovers.  I'm sent to serve.'" - Robert J. Morgan

Day1 - Week 55 - How about a Sunday on a Monday?

Excuse my tardiness to the start of a new week...out of town family members in town for Spring Break made my Sunday disappear...crawling into bed at midnight last night I realized I had totally missed starting the week with a new verse!  So I hope you can just class it as a "time change" adjustment and grant me a small dose of grace!  We'll get this week going right now! 

Quick review of our verses of God's Promises, our Obedience, and the Holy Spirit's role in our lives...

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."

We're on a roll here in Ephesians 5, so what do you say we just add another?  Ephesians 5:21 is our next verse reflecting on how our lives look when we allow God's Spirit to rule in our lives.  This verse contains that touchy subject of "submission."  Ouch!  Do any of us like to hear that directive?  Let's hear the verse, and then we'll jump right in to see what Scripture is telling us we are to be like as Spirit-filled Christians...
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."

When I read Ephesians 5:21, another verse that immediately comes to my mind is Philippians 2:3...

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (NIV)

 

And I love the way this verse is stated in The Message:

 

Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.

 

So think about what Paul has taught us so far in these verses of Ephesians 5...a Spirit-filled Christian is directed into right and wise living, is joyful to the point of singing and encourages other Christians by the joy they share, is thankful no matter their current circumstance, and is not self-seeking.

 

We have all of these characteristics within us because God's Spirit is living within us...when we allow Him to fulfill us, to fill us to the full, then our lives will shine with His radiance!