Fruit of the Spirit!

Fruit of the Spirit.

What is it?

Paul writes about it in
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self- control.

To bear the fruit of the spirit is to have the spirit of Godly excellence in us. That is, to be a cut above everyone else. To be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This does not call for pride and snobbishness but in all humility, to bear the following characteristics in our daily living, to glorify Father God.

It behooves us to dare to be different from the people of the world. To show them the right way to live so as to please God.

It behooves us, to not bother about what others think of us, but to be good and holy in God's eyes.

It behooves us to walk through the narrow door which Jesus mentioned in Luke 13:24.

The entire Fruit can only be produced in us by the Holy Spirit when we remain connected to Jesus through His Word and prayer. By ourselves we can never produce each one of these characteristics of this fruit.

Let us therefore abide in Jesus the Vine and stay rooted in Him at all times. Let us check and correct ourselves daily to see if we are bearing these characteristics in our daily living with others.

We cannot live alone, away from our communities and desire to bear this fruit. It does not work that way. Just as iron sharpens iron, we will bear fruit only by interacting with others.

When the members of our family or extended family or colleagues are irritating or annoying us, that calls for the practice of love, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. If we do not learn how to practice these virtues in these circumstances and instead avoid such people or move to another place, then they will remain unchanged and we will receive other unwelcome opportunities to practice those virtues elsewhere. Better learn them where we are planted, the first time.

Only by the fruit we bear, can we let the light of Christ Jesus shine through us and only then the world around us will become a better place. We can't do it any other way.

A hermit who sits alone in the forest meditating cannot claim to have practised the virtues of the Fruit of the Spirit. How can he when he has no one to help sharpen him?

If we have not produced the whole fruit, let us repent. Let us through the daily practise of praising and worshipping God, reading God's Word, doing what it says and through unceasing prayer and intercession, allow the Holy Spirit to produce the whole fruit which God requires, in us. Always remember that a dusty Bible leads to a messy life.

The following are what the Word of God terms as 'The Fruit of the Spirit.'

1. Love - This is God's sacrificial and unconditional love. It is
Agape Love.
To love unconditionally and pray for others, even when they do wrong to us or hate, accuse, misunderstand or persecute us.
To love is to do good and pray and intercede for the needs of others especially for those whom you think, do not deserve it. To love is to love and pray for the lost, those who practice sinful acts and the backslidden, for them to know Christ Jesus' love and to walk in His way.

2. Joy -   Heavenly joy which gives strength in any situation. 
To be joyful even in the midst of persecution, trouble, pain and suffering.

3. Peace - Which only God can give. To be filled with God's peace and loving assurance that He holds our future in His hands, that He will be with us through it all, even in the midst of a stormy situation.

4. Patience -Forbearance. Bearing with one another's faults even when we are persecuted, provoked or insulted, with a smile and a forgiving heart. This does not give license to condone or approve of someone's sinful behaviour. It is also to patiently wait upon the Lord for His perfect timing in every area of our lives.

5. Kindness - To be sympathetic, compassionate and to show tenderness to others even when they are unkind to us or do evil to us. To put the needs of others above ourselves.

6. Goodness - To be good at all times. Avoid doing anything bad or evil. To do good to those who hate us or who do evil to us.

7. Faithfulness - To have unshakable faith in God and in Jesus His Son and to be faithful to God and
others, even when others are unfaithful. Do not take advantage of or manipulate others.

8. Gentleness - To be meek, mild and humble in nature, to be courteous and also to be calm in all situations, even when angered, provoked, accused unjustly or bullied.  If someone needs correction, to avoid gossiping about, belittling and criticizing that person but instead, to correct him/her with gentle, grace-filled words to help build him/her up and help him/her see her faults in the light of God's Word and repent and change.

9. Self-Control - To be self disciplined.
To practice restraint in consumption of food, drinks and accumulating material goods and also in speaking. Never speak unnecessary and useless words.
To avoid compromises with worldly living.
To turn away from:-
sin, from temptations,
from fleshly desires and also from what seems good and pleasing to the senses, in exchange for the Eternal Good that God gives to those who wait upon Him, who seek Him first in all things and all affairs.

10. Generosity - To care for, share with and give to those who are in need, what God has graciously given to us. This can be in the form of physical help, ideas to build the other up, money, things or even the talents God has imbued us with.

11. Chastity - To be morally pure in thought, speech and behaviour.
To avoid sexual impurity.

12. Modesty - To refrain from attracting attention to ourselves through extravagant, showy, provocative and/or
immodest dressing and through boasting about our achievements.
It is also being moderate in eating and drinking.
To avoid extravagance and showiness lest we tempt others to fall into the sin of jealousy and lust. To live a simple and unassuming, unpretencious life.

Let the above be a daily checklist for our spiritual growth in Christ Jesus.

Let us strive to bear the whole fruit (not just parts of it) and to always walk in the narrow way, till we are called home to rest in the Lord for all eternity.

Mary Augustine
09/02/2019
                             

Why must I, Shine?

Jesus my Saviour wants me to shine. Why? He wants me to be an Effective Marketplace Evangelist, that's why!

He commands me in
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Did He ask me to shine so that others who look at my good deeds, praise me? No, He asked me to shine so that others may see my good deeds and glorify my Father in heaven.

How do I shine?
This is how I must shine:-
1. where God has placed me.
2. with the gifts God has given me.
3. putting in my best efforts.
4. with a positive attitude.
5. with humility.
6. to accept changes with a willing and sincere heart.
7. with discernment.
8. with an obedient heart.

I must shine for the Father's glory. Only then will those who see me, give glory to God our Father.

I can pretend to serve God before men. I can fool them into thinking I am doing something noble. But I cannot pretend before or fool Father God, Who sees the intent of my heart.

Jesus also tells me to follow Him. What does it mean to follow Him? He explains in
Luke 13:22-30 NIV
'Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. [23] Someone asked Him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, [24] “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. [25] Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.' “But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' [26] “Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' [27] “But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' [28] “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. [29] People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. [30] Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”'

I must, with every ounce of effort, enter through the narrow way. I cannot try, because trying will not let me enter. If I just try, I will be forever trying but not entering.

That is very scary! If I don't enter the narrow way I will be thrown out where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth!

How then do I enter the narrow way? With the help of the Holy Spirit of course. All I have to do is be rooted firmly in Jesus, the Vine, and obey Him. Then the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit which pleases Father God, in us.

How will I know if I am walking in the narrow way Jesus spoke about? By the fruit I am bearing in every circumstance of my life.

When I am falsely accused, cheated, saddened, angered, belittled, snubbed at, ignored or even shunned, how do I respond? Do I talk back, argue, get back at that person who did that to me? Do I respond with a similar or worse response or do I surrender my feelings to God and pray for that person. Am I bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness faithfulness and self-control in my character or am I behaving just the opposite? Am I modest in my attire?  Am I moderate in my eating and drinking? Do I boast about my achievements instead of giving God the praise. Am I obedient to authority, humble, practicing integrity and praising God in every situation? Or do I complain and grumble and talk negatively at all times? When I remember past events, does tbe memory of those events prompt me to see God's blessings and the guiding hand of God's protection or does it bring back past hurts and bitterness and cause me to grumble and talk bitterly about those who hurt me in a judgemental and condemning way?  Do I build people up with my words or do I pull them down and tear them apart with my words and my silent treatment? Do I correct others in a criticizing and judgemental way or with gentleness and grace? Have I forgiven all those who have hurt or wronged me or do I still harbour anger, hurt, grudges, bitterness and hatered against them in my heart? Am I obsessed with the riches of this world and the comforts of this life? Do I seek God only for success and promotions and money? Can I praise Him even in poverty? Do I prefer comfort and ease of life to being obedient to the words of Christ Jesus in the Bible? Am I compromising my Christian walk with my fleshly desires and am I moving boundaries for my own agenda? Do I go about assuming things about others and judging them by what I see and think I know?

The above are some ways to examine myself to see if I am walking in the narrow way. I must train myself like an athlete trains himself for the Olympics. It is not easy. It is difficult, but I can take comfort in the fact that Jesus has promised that He will be with me till the end. Jesus promised me that, in Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
'Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”'

Jesus also wants me to be perfect!

In Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus commands us thus:-
“You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus wants me to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect! How can I do that? Again, only by being rooted in Christ Jesus and bearing the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit can I go near that standard. I may never achieve it but I have my Saviour Who achieved it for me by dying in the cross for me. He is now standing as a mediator between me and my Father in heaven to plead my cause and my case.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus commands me to shine our light, that is, to let our good works be seen by all in a way that will prompt them to glorify Father God instead of turning their attention to us. In the same chapter He commands us to love and pray for our enemies and those who persecute us. Then in chapter 28 before ascending into heaven to be seated at the right hand of Father God, He commands us to go and 1)make disciples of all nations, 2)to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and 3)to teach them to obey everything that He, Jesus has taught us.

In view of this how am I to fulfill the 3 commands which Jesus makes in Matthew chapter 28 without fulfilling the commands in  Matthew chapter 5 and Luke chapter 13 and all the other commands of His?

Can a sluggard tell someone else to work hard? Can a drunkard tell someone else to stop drinking? Can a gossiper tell someone else not to talk bad about others? Can one who harbours bitterness and unforgiveness in his heart against his neighbour, tell someone else to forgive his brother? Can one who cheats his boss by putting in less hours and by giving him sloppy work and using office time to do his own stuff, tell someone else not to cheat others? Can someone who seeks God just for money, the comforts and successes of this world tell someone else to seek God faithfully? Can someone who keeps boasting about himself and his achievements tell someone else to be humble? Can someone who gives up following Christ Jesus, for the pleasures of this world and for his own interests tell someone else to be good and to follow Jesus? Can one who disobeys and dishonours his parents and authorities tell his employees to obey him and tell his children to honour him? Can someone who retaliates when he is corrected tell someone else to change for the better? No, definitely he cannot! Why? Because he is not a good testimony. His life does not glorify Father God. He himself needs to change.
One who is walking in darkness cannot lead another one who is also walking in darkness. When he realises his faults and repents and seeks the Holy Spirit's help to walk in the narrow way, then using his past experiences he can guide others not to fall in the same pit as him.

We who are believers in Christ Jesus, are all called to be marketplace evangelists. To be effective evangelists we must obey Christ Jesus in every tiny aspect. Obeying some commands and disobeying some others does not prevent a judge on earth from punishing the perpetrator. What more an all Holy and Perfect God Who will judge us when we close our earthly eyes forever?

The Bible is packed with promises for all those who obey. It is also packed with warnings of eternal punishment for those who disobey. There are also numerous solutions for life's problems in it. It is in fact a 'Treasure Map', which if read carefully and faithfully and obeyed religiously, will mark out the 'Narrow Way' for us and will lead us to the Promised Land.

Therefore as I examine myself I must repent for the times I have fallen and failed and begin again to walk into the 'Narrow Way'. It is never too late to repent and change with the help of the Holy Spirit Who is waiting for me to ask Him. He will help me by reminding me of the Words of Christ Jesus in the Bible.

As I end, I again remind myself of this:-

To be a faithful follower of Christ Jesus and to be an effective marketplace evangelist, I must first and foremost review my life and my walk with Jesus, daily. I must work on shining the light of Christ by dying to myself daily. Then, I must shine where God has placed me, with the gifts God has given me, putting in my best efforts, with a positive attitude and a sincere, humble, willing, discerning and obedient heart. Only then will those who see me, give glory to God our Father.

The most important characteristics to be an effective witness for Christ are
H - Humility
O - Obedience
W - Willingness

I must remember that I cannot do it alone. I must work with like-minded fellow believers, seeking the help of the Holy Spirit.

Oh, when I breathe my last and close my earthly eyes,  how joyful will it be when I hear my Beloved say, "Welcome home my good and faithful servant!"

Father God, I pray that You keep me grounded and humble always. Help me be obedient and willing to do what You command me to do and go where You lead me. Help me put others before myself. Help me never rely on my own strength and abilities. Help me never want success for my glory and well-being but to want success to win souls for Your Kingdom. Help me enter through the Narrow Way and walk in it at all times. If I fail Father, I know You are there to help me. Your Spirit will guide and protect me. Help me always walk in Your holy presence and be conscious of what I think, what I say and how I behave at every moment of my life. I thank You and Praise You for Your numerous blessings and for Christ Jesus Your Son and my Saviour. I thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. I thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I thank You for all Your provisions and Your tender mercies. I thank You for my husband and children. I thank you for my extended family and friends. I thank you for my church family, leaders and pastors. I thank You for the good health and for peace and stability in our country.

Oh Father there are so many, many things I want to thank you for. Words are insufficient to praise and thank You. I offer myself, I offer all that I think, do and say today as a thanksgiving offering to You Father. Accept me as I am and lead me along the Narrow Way and help me shine Your glory for all to see You and to praise and glorify You.

Protect me from selfish ambitions.  I am weak Lord. I need Your strength.
I pray this in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Mary Augustine
03/02/2019