"But the fruit of The Spirit is ... peace ..." Galatians 5:22-23
The Spirit produces in Christians the positive attributes of Godly character which are evident in Jesus, as recorded in the gospels.
The third attribute, 'peace', is the tranquility of mind, freedom from worry and fear. It is that inner calm that results from confidence in one's saving relationship with Christ.
Peace refers to our relationship with self, with God, and with others and manifests itself in our thoughts and conscience, our temperament, and our behavior.
We can only truly have peace in our lives if we have Christ in our life. Only He can grant us a share of His perfect peace.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Joy
"But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance ..." Galatians 5:22-23
The second attribute of the fruit of The Spirit is 'joy'. This is different from happiness. Joy is a gladness of the heart. It is more of a cheerfulness, a constant delight in The Lord. It is a good feeling based upon unchanging divine promise. It is a sense of well-being experienced by one who knows that all is well between himself and The Lord.
Joy is something that the world can't give you, and the world can't take it away from you. It is of God and it is from God. It is not the result of favorable circumstances. In fact, it is possible to have joy in the mist of difficult or negative circumstances.
Joy is a gift from God that causes one to delight in the blessings which they have already received. That is why we can sing, "Joy to the world, The Lord is come ..."
One of the radio stations in Los Angeles used to say that their call letters, KJLH, stood for the Kindness, Joy, Love, & Happiness, which they exuded. We should all be so blessed as to do the same.
The second attribute of the fruit of The Spirit is 'joy'. This is different from happiness. Joy is a gladness of the heart. It is more of a cheerfulness, a constant delight in The Lord. It is a good feeling based upon unchanging divine promise. It is a sense of well-being experienced by one who knows that all is well between himself and The Lord.
Joy is something that the world can't give you, and the world can't take it away from you. It is of God and it is from God. It is not the result of favorable circumstances. In fact, it is possible to have joy in the mist of difficult or negative circumstances.
Joy is a gift from God that causes one to delight in the blessings which they have already received. That is why we can sing, "Joy to the world, The Lord is come ..."
One of the radio stations in Los Angeles used to say that their call letters, KJLH, stood for the Kindness, Joy, Love, & Happiness, which they exuded. We should all be so blessed as to do the same.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Love
"But the fruit of The Spirit is love ..." Galatians 5:22-23
The 'fruit' is the result, product, or outcome of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Unlike "the gifts of The Spirit" (plural) where only some of which are given to a Christian,
each believer is to have all nine attributes of "the fruit if The Spirit" (singular) and these grow and mature with time.
This 'love' is the "agape" kind of love. It is the love of choice, respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing self-sacrificial service. This is not referring to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond.
This 'love' is the giving of one's self for the benefit of another without the thought of getting something in return.
This is the love that Christ demonstrated for us and that we are to show towards our fellow man.
The 'fruit' is the result, product, or outcome of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Unlike "the gifts of The Spirit" (plural) where only some of which are given to a Christian,
each believer is to have all nine attributes of "the fruit if The Spirit" (singular) and these grow and mature with time.
This 'love' is the "agape" kind of love. It is the love of choice, respect, devotion, and affection that leads to willing self-sacrificial service. This is not referring to an emotional affection, physical attraction, or a familial bond.
This 'love' is the giving of one's self for the benefit of another without the thought of getting something in return.
This is the love that Christ demonstrated for us and that we are to show towards our fellow man.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit # 2
"But the fruit of The Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance ..." Galatians 5:22-23
According to the Rev. Dr. John MacArthur, the phrase "... fruit of The Spirit ..." refers to the Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of only those who belong to God by faith in Christ and possess The Spirit of God.
All nine characteristics are linked together and present in true believers. The word 'fruit' as it is used in this verse is singular and not plural. One 'fruit' encompasses all nine characteristics. If The Holy Spirit is in you, then you have possess all nine of these characteristics.
According to the Rev. Dr. John MacArthur, the phrase "... fruit of The Spirit ..." refers to the Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of only those who belong to God by faith in Christ and possess The Spirit of God.
All nine characteristics are linked together and present in true believers. The word 'fruit' as it is used in this verse is singular and not plural. One 'fruit' encompasses all nine characteristics. If The Holy Spirit is in you, then you have possess all nine of these characteristics.
Our goal as Christians should be to live our lives in such a manner as to display these nine Godly attitude characteristics much more often and to display our sinful worldly nature much less frequently.
I first presented a blog on this topic on November 21, 2010, and addressed the subject of 'fruit' in general. This time, God willing, over the next several days I will address each of the nine characteristics individually. Not to separate them but to expound upon them without making one very long blog.
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Race To Run
"... Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
Let us not be weighed down by the unimportant and insignificant things of life. Let us not let our sins stop us from what The Good Lord has set for us to do. We have work to do and a race to run. This race of ours is not a sprint, but a marathon.
While we are running, life may throw us some curves. We may even get knocked down, but we must get back up and keep on running the race. The prize is not the the swift, but he that endureth unto the end.
Let us not be weighed down by the unimportant and insignificant things of life. Let us not let our sins stop us from what The Good Lord has set for us to do. We have work to do and a race to run. This race of ours is not a sprint, but a marathon.
While we are running, life may throw us some curves. We may even get knocked down, but we must get back up and keep on running the race. The prize is not the the swift, but he that endureth unto the end.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A New You In The New Year # 5
In this new year, let us put off the old sinful person that we were and endeavour to be more Christ-like in what we say and do.
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath; Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:22-27
Let us renew our commitment to Christ and renew our mind be reading and studying His word. Let us tell the truth and quit trying to make ourselves look better to the world by lying. Let us be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Let's not hold grudges against those who wronged us. Holding on to anger can make us bitter. Let it go and let God take care of them.
Don't give the devil the opportunity to use you to cause some one to sin.
Let God use you, and make a new you in the new year.
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath; Neither give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:22-27
Let us renew our commitment to Christ and renew our mind be reading and studying His word. Let us tell the truth and quit trying to make ourselves look better to the world by lying. Let us be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Let's not hold grudges against those who wronged us. Holding on to anger can make us bitter. Let it go and let God take care of them.
Don't give the devil the opportunity to use you to cause some one to sin.
Let God use you, and make a new you in the new year.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May The Good Lord bless you with good health, happiness, and a long life through 2011 and beyond. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
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