"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. - Galatians 5 :22-26
As the writer of Galatians prepares to explain what the fruit of the spirit is , he begins by urging us to live by the spirit and we "will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit , you are not under law" ~Galatians 5: 16-18
It seems that when we are walking closely with God, we are keeping in touch with His Spirit, Holy Spirit, and so we are living by the Spirit. Holy Spirit lives in us once we accept Jesus into our lives...God sends the "Helper" which is Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is what we should see most times in someone who is walking in a close relationship with God/Jesus simply because Holy Spirit lives in us. The opposite behaviors and actions of the Spirit are those of the sinful nature. Are we always going to perfectly show fruit of the spirit...even the most holy person alive probably does not 100% of the time. For only Jesus is perfect. However, if we are truly walking with God, obeying and following Him, desiring to love and honor Him first in our lives, then these fruits will as a result show themselves at some point. It is sort of a natural thing that happens as a result of this close walk with the Lord. I like what this note in my bible says about this topic " Christian Character is produced by the Holy Spirit, not by the mere moral discipline of trying to live by the law. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces Christian virtues in the believers life".
The first fruit we will explore today is Love. Really, I believe that LOVE doesn't need much of an exploration. We can simply observe the life of Jesus to see how we should live in love.. God is love. He loves all at all times without conditions. He is unconditional love and He even loves the wicked, those that reject Him. Even the most evil person to us is loved deeply by God. Jesus walked , talked and ate with "sinners". Those scorned and mocked by society. Those thought to be unloved by God. Not worthy. Jesus loved these people very much. If we are serious about our faith in Jesus , then we should strive to love in this same way. Will we "like" or agree with their actions , choices, behaviors. Not we do not have to agree with those things, but we must love the person. "Hate the sin, love the sinner" type of mindset. Have compassion and mercy on them, realize they need Jesus just as much as you do. But, we cannot love like this on our own, Holy Spirit will help us to love in this way as we continue to deepen our walk with the Lord, God will change our character to be like Him. He will give us the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.
God, thank you so much for sending Holy Spirit to help us in this life. Thank you for your amazing gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.Thank you that you do not just leave us to figure out this life on our own but that you give us Holy Spirit to guide us through. Thank you for your love for us that never fades and is unconditional. Help us Lord, through Holy Spirit, to love others, love ourselves, and love you the way you want us too.
In Jesus Holy Name,
Amen
Be blessed and changed as you choose love!!
In Christ,
~M~
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