“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Have you ever witnessed a crazier pre-election circus? Has the world ever before seemed to be crowding in so quickly, closer and closer?
Have communications ever been more constant and all-encompassing—inescapable unless one stuffs his or her electronic devices in the back of a remote drawer and goes for a long, solitary walk? Or even better—the very best of all—unless one plunges head first into the depths of God’s ever-faithful, ever beneficial Word! God’s Word is the only place to go for rest, for comprehension, perspective, and power. God’s Word not only mined daily, but stored as priceless treasure for instant, ongoing accessibility and application.
While the clouds grow thicker so does our call, as Christians, not only to share the Gospel of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—but to mirror His indwelling Life, so that the fruit of His Holy Spirit can be seen by all, everywhere we go! In simple terms, we are called today just God’s people were instructed centuries ago: to live the Christian life, as mandated in Galatians 5:22-23.
Not to rant and rave* over all the things that are amiss (although, when watching the news I sometimes forget!) Not to rend our clothes, Old Testament style. Not to scream at those who are “out of line”. And certainly not (even worse!) to scream at those who are in line.
The fruit of the Spirit is the genuine outworking of Christ’s life in us, the “hope” (sure-fire fact!) of glory. Whatever we are doing as the fruit is displayed, and wherever we may be, will differ with each individual whom God calls. As we focus on our Lord, He directs our whatever/wherever. Our “Full time Christian Service” may be public (as in church, missions, or workplace) or private (as in home and/or friendship circles). Both are equally valid and vital. But fruit there must be, if our witness is to be effective.
I have blogged near-volumes on this topic, and God-willing I may continue to write more. The issue is ever-green because (probably like every other believer, and definitely as Paul recorded in his letter to the Romans) I struggle with reflecting God’s fruit—even given prayer and immersion in His Word. Patience (longsuffering) is a bit of a challenge for me; and as we all realize about the fruit of God’s Spirit—we cannot select. We need to present the whole basket.
God knows His own. If I bungle my witness, His own people will still be saved for Eternity; they haven’t lost a thing. And when I refuse to relax and let Jesus display His fruit through me, I am nonetheless still saved for Eternity. But I will have missed the here-and-now blessing that would have come had I been in sync with our Lord in that instance.
Margaret L. Been — March 21, 2016
*The most famous sermon in U.S. history is without a doubt, Jonathan Edwards’ “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” God used this masterpiece (not only of Scripture truth but of literary construction) to pave the way for the movement of His Holy Spirit in an unprecedented revival on our continent.
Did Jonathan Edwards shout, and rave? No way. His delivery was unremarkable, and it has been recorded that he actually read his sermons.
It was God’s truth in this sermon, not the human vehicle, which set the course of American Christianity from the 1700s on. In fact, had Edwards ranted and raved, his words may never have taken such a profound course. The man might have attracted more attention than the message. God chose a quiet-mannered man for the most spectacular movement of the Holy Spirit in our nation.
Although “Sinners” is the most famous of Edwards’ individual messages, it has been his sermons of joy-filled wonder at the magnificence and beauty of God that theologians (and everyday readers like me) have cherished, found edifying, and re-read again and again for rich spiritual food. MLB
