GHOST STORIES week 2 | THE FRUIT
As promised, here are some of my notes regarding the qualities of our heart or fruit of the spirit, from yesterdays talk. I’m praying for you today, that these distinctives would be present and alive in your life today. – g
We, all of us are responsible to each other. I know we don’t really believe that because we don’t really live it but the Bible tells a different story. It tells a living story of a Savior, whose example we follow, a Savior who has come to be our keeper. God, taking on human form, being born of a virgin and entering this world to grow into manhood, fully man oand fully God living in the neighborhood but never sinning, tempted in every way but never succumbing to the temptation…living a sinless perfect life, stirring the political and religious waters, falsely accused, damned to the Roman electric chair, then He dies and is placed in a rich man’s tomb, dead. But raised to life pointing us to the way of the blessed, the way that says the humble will inherit the earth, the way that says those who seek justice will be satisfied, the way that says mercy begets mercy and God becomes visible to those whose hearts are pure, the way that works for peace, comforts those who mourn and the way that says the kingdom of God comes to those who are poor and realize their need for him.
To live out of a foundation of love and not fear is to live to serve others and to point them to Jesus. So, is there a distinct difference between how you as a follower of Jesus live your life and that of other people that don’t make that claim? The Fruit you’re producing – what’s it look like? What are the qualities of your heart? Does it set you apart or fit you in?
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
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LOVE: God is love and love is the hallmark of anyone who follows him. Love is the source of all other qualities of the heart. (fruit of the spirit) Love manifests as good will and good deeds to others. Love is “seeing with the good eye”…seeing the best in others.
JOY: …related to grace. We have joy because of the grace of God through Jesus. An inward sense of joy regardless of circumstances – rejoicing, even in sorrow.
PEACE: Shalom (Hebrew) – more than the absence of strife (wholeness, health, balance, reconciliation) Not only peace with God but also the peace of God…which passes all understanding.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
PATIENCE: Enduring wrong doing without taking vengeance. The corresponding Hebrew phrase is “long of nose”, a picture of slow venting of air through the nostrils…slow to anger. Implies one who is not easily offended by the faults and character defects of others just as Christ graciously overlooks our sins.
KINDNESS: A generous disposition characterized by tenderhearted compassion
GOODNESS: …the idea of anticipating the needs of others and acting out of a sense of compassion
FAITHFULNESS: …associated with truth…dependable, reliable, trustworthy. Since God is faithful, through the enablement of the Holy Spirit, God’s people are to be faithful too
GENTLENESS: In the Greek…has the idea of moderation and courtesy by esteeming others as worthy of honor. Humility.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
SELF-CONTROL: Greek literal meaning is “inner strength” – referring to a mastery over one’s desires and passions. However, since the strength to turn from evil to please God comes from the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, it is clear that this word ultimately refers to the life of Jesus, within the heart empowering the believer to serve and please God.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NO LAW!
No one produces these amazing qualities in himself. Trying harder to be godly will never work. Character transformation occurs when we submit to God, giving Him complete control of our lives. Only then will the Spirit be free to produce fruit that remains even in the deepest, darkest storms. Charles Stanley
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