True Heart of Faith

Hebrews 10:19-25

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."

When Christ offered Himself for us, He tore away the veil that separated us from God so that we may now enter boldly into His presence without fear. No longer must we rely on another to pray for us and offer sacrifices for our sins, for by Christ's shed blood and the forgiveness of God, our sins have been washed away, and we are free to go directly to God in prayer because He sees us as pure and righteous. Never must we worry whether our salvation is secure, for Christ's sacrifice covers all of our past, present, and future sins. If we ask for God's forgiveness and repent of our past ways, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and He promises that He will never let us go - "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28. Let us, therefore, live with confidence because not only is our salvation secure in God's hands, but we may also come to Him daily for guidance and strength.

Walk in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-18

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

If we live according to God's Word and remain sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then we will not fall into the sins of the flesh. However, we cannot simply empty ourselves of our former sins and expect to succeed. Instead, we must replace our former sinful thoughts and actions by meditating on the pure Word of God and living to glorify Him in faithful service. If we desire to live righteously before God and become more like Christ, then we must make a daily effort to put away our own sinful nature and follow after the purity of God. Therefore, think on His word and be renewed daily, seek to become more like Christ in obedience and selflessness, go often to God in prayer and be refreshed by His love and forgiveness, and serve God in everything you do with all joy, thanks, love, and godliness. By our faithful service and our continued spiritual growth, our life will be full and complete by God's grace. Although we will never reach perfection on this earth, we can take hold of the promise that when we are brought before God in Heaven, He will glorify us so that our sinful nature will be no more. What better way to praise and glorify God than by giving Him the entirety of our lives and letting Him use us for His perfect will!

Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

No Law

Galatians 5:22,23

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

If a Christian incorporates all of the fruits of the Spirit into his life for the purpose of glorifying God, then there is no law which can condemn him. He has already claimed the righteousness of Christ in salvation, so he is accepted before God. He puts the needs of family, friends, and coworkers before his own, so no one can accuse him of selfishness or hate. Finally, he commits no crime against another because of the testimony that he wishes to live out for the sake of Christ.

These virtues encompass who Christ is and what He wishes for His people. He desires that love, purity, and goodness would unify His people into a pure and harmonious church so that they will be able to serve Him to the utmost of their personal and group abilities. For as a Christian matures, these fruits, which are the characteristics of Christ, become more evident as he is renewed daily by the Word of God and transformed into the image of Christ. Ultimately all of these virtues can be boiled down to one commandment - Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" God's glory must always come first, then your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, then those whom you must reach for Christ, and then yourself as you realize that your purpose on earth is for God's glory and not your own.

1 Peter 4:11

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Prayer on the Fruits of the Spirit

Dear Heavenly Father,

Let Your grace and strength abound in my life so that I may grow in:

Love that is exemplified by Your grace,

Joy that is based upon your forgiveness,

Peace because of Your sovereignty,

Longsuffering inspired by Christ's endurance,

Kindness due to Christ's compassion,

Goodness shown by Christ's sacrifice,

Faithfulness to live a godly testimony,

Gentleness which was perfected in Christ's submission,

Self-control to live a life that is patterned after Christ's.

Self-Control

Galatians 5:22,23

 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Just as love is the foundation of spiritual character, self-control is the outcome of spiritual maturity. A Christian who has applied all of the other fruits of the Spirit to his life will have already started to live with temperance and control.  This refers to controlling one's self from sin, dietary practices, use of the days God gives him, personal desires, etc. 

In 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 we are told, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." Since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should strive to keep it healthy in diet and cleanliness, not abuse it with damaging substances, and keep it pure from the lusts of the flesh. 

We are also commanded to live our days in wisdom and remember that our time on earth is brief and should be used for the glory of God - Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

God desires that we keep the proper perspective on our lives - God must come first in all we do, and He is the foundation that we live upon; we must spend quality time with our family both at home and church and not forget to pray daily for them; and to remember what we were put on earth to do - We are to live our lives by the example Christ set before us, have love for the lost and be obedient to the Father. Our lives are to be a continuing testimony of the salvation brought by Christ so that the lost in this world may come to know Him. Let us live according to Christ's command to the church...

Matthew 28:18-20

"And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen."

Gentleness/Meekness

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Meekness describes a humble attitude filled with patience. Instead of getting angry and planning retaliation when we are wronged by another, we should seek to be submissive and gentle, leaving no room for thoughts of sinful revenge. Meekness goes far beyond how to respond when we are wronged, however; it also describes an attitude of submission to God's Will, searching for it diligently; a desire to remain teachable, realizing that we have much to learn and far to grow in this Christian life; and a sense of consideration for others.

Take the example of Christ: When He was taken prisoner in the Garden of Gethsemane, He did not fight against any man but instead healed one of His captors (Luke 22:50,51). When He was brought before Pilate and Herod, He answered their questions faithfully and was found innocent in their sight (Luke 23:1-16). But yet in all His innocence, He was put to death because the people hated His message of redemption from sin, but by the shedding of His blood, salvation was made available for all men.

Likewise, we have been placed on this earth so that we may proclaim the message that Christ brought when He came - a message of grace and salvation from sin, a message of hope and redemption, a message of rescue from an eternity without God. When you are put down for your faith, see it as a blessing to be able to identify with your Saviour. When you are confronted with your own sin, take hold of it, confess it, and seek to become more like your Lord. We are fallen men given the greatest gift the world has ever known - salvation made possible through the blood of the pure, innocent Son of God. His submission is our motivation to remain meek and gentle when the world turns against us, for through our trials, we are sharing in the death of Christ, His resurrection unto new life, and His eternal glory.

Galatians 6:14

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Faithfulness

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law."

As Christians, we need to exemplify faithfulness to both fellow believers and those we come into contact with every day. We should be loyal to our promises and steadfast in our friendships so that we do not lose the trust of another. Our employers should never have to worry whether we are performing to our fullest ability or stealing from the company. And if our friend takes us into his confidence and shares something personal, he should not have to worry that we will go and tell another.

Likewise, faithfulness must also be demonstrated in our relationship to God. When persecution and rejection come because of our faith, we must decide whether we will live for God alone or if we will live for the acceptance of the world. If it comes to either denying our faith or dying for it, we must choose either faithfulness to God or denying Him in front of His enemies. These decisions are faced by many Christians all throughout the world, and by the strength of God through their faithfulness, they are coming out victorious! For death has no power over a believer because his life is secure in God's hands, but those who stand to oppose God will be put to shame on the final day when they face Christ the mighty Judge. They shall fall onto their knees before Him and be punished for their rejection of His salvation.

Therefore it is vital that our lives demonstrate not only a consistent pattern with the Word of God and His commands, but also a life lived with unwavering servitude for the blessing of others. If we strive to be faithful in the minor areas of life as well as the major ones, God will give us the final victory and shall say...

"...'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"  Matthew 25:21

Goodness

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Goodness can be described as moral and spiritual maturity, which is demonstrated in the way we, as Christians, should live our lives and associate with those around us. The world should be able to perceive a purity in our actions and a separation from the world's sinful influences. A life of goodness goes far beyond personal purity, however; it also encompasses how we treat those whom we come into contact with - we ought to be respectful, humble, hospitable, and have a sense of servitude. These attitudes should be seen while we are dealing with people in the workplace, believers at church, governmental leaders, both those who agree with us and those who disagree with us, etc. Because the world is full of hate, war, defilement, and selfishness, imagine how great our testimony for Christ will shine if we make an effort to be filled with love, generosity, purity, and peace!

Let's take a moment to reflect on how Christ dealt with those around Him. Although He had a righteous anger towards the sins of mankind, He also had a great compassion for the sinner himself.  He gave all He had to those who were unable to give anything back. If someone disagreed with His teachings, He simply told them more of God the Father and His saving grace. He was humble before governmental authority as long as it did not go against God's commands, and ultimately He prayed that God would forgive those who tortured and executed Him.

The goodness of Christ is our model on how we ought to treat others. Since we are on this earth to glorify God and to reach the lost by His strength, I encourage you to be full of compassion and humbleness toward all you come into contact with, for by your personal testimony, one may be influenced to seek God out.

Luke 6:27-31

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise."

Kindness

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Kindness implies having a tender concern for those around us, which is exemplified by our having a desire to listen to the trials another is going through so that we can offer him comfort and encouragement, having a passion for serving those in need, willingly giving of the resources God has graciously given to us, etc. Some Christians may be able to give financial support, while another could give time and a helping hand. Others may have a compassionate heart and supportive words, while another may be a great prayer warrior. God has blessed each believer with a different gift, and they are all equally used by Him. 

Do not be dismayed if all you can give are a few encouraging words, for by encouragement the spirit is lifted - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Do not think yourself useless if all you can give is a helping hand through hard labor, for by your work you support those who are weaker than you - Acts 20:35 "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 

Do not think your gift is small if all you can offer are heartfelt prayers, for God works miracles through the prayers of the godly - James 5:16b "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

 

All of these gifts can be greatly used by God to show others how much He truly loves them and desires that they come to Him. We ought to strive to treat those around us with a gentle compassion, just as Christ shows His gentleness to us every day. By our kind words and gentle servitude, may God use our testimony to show others the compassion that Christ has for them.

Epehsians 4:32 

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Longsuffering

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Longsuffering has a similar meaning to patience but with a very specific emphasis - In particular, it refers to being able to bear wrongdoing against yourself and to be willing to accept painful circumstances with gentleness and kindness. When we are wrongly accused, persecuted, or rejected as Christians, we are to keep in mind the love and forbearance that God has graciously shown us. For when we were lost in our sins, how often did we reject God and revile His name? Yet He did not revile or strike back harshly against us; instead, He was always ready to share His love and forgiveness with us if we were willing to seek Him. Even now as Christians we often fail our Lord and deserve great punishment, but He continually gives us of His grace and forgiveness and puts our sins away from us as far as the east is from the west. 

Let us, therefore, have the same mind! If we are put down by unbelievers, let us see it as an opportunity to share God's love and forgiveness with them by personally forgiving them for the wrongs they committed against us. If we are put down by another believer, let us strive to reconcile and grow together spiritually to become more like Christ in meekness and unity. We need to remember that we are not on this earth for our own glory but for the glory of God! Do not let a bitter spirit and contentious attitude cast a dark shadow on the light of God's word, but rather let our patience and endurance adorn the gospel so that all may see it's beauty and desire to learn more of our gracious Saviour!

Psalm 86:15

"But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
         longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth."

Peace

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

Like joy, peace is not based upon one's circumstances. It results from the knowledge that our salvation in Christ is secure, and that Christ is in control of the entirety of our lives both while we are here on this earth and also when we reach our future home in heaven. It is true, however, that it is hard to see His plan and purpose when the world erupts with wars, finances do not seem to cover the needs of life, people become more obstinate against the Word of God, and the way of life everywhere grows consistently more corrupted with sin. But in the middle of all this chaos and darkness, God has put His holy light into each believer's life, so that by their lives, some in the world may be brought to Him. 

Therefore, a believer's life is to be exemplified by an inner calm and confidence that will attract those who are desperately searching for peace and hope in this crumbling world. Because even though this life is full of uncertainties, we, as believers in God, do not need to fret or worry because we know that God is in control of everything from the world affairs to the minutest details in our lives. We can lay all of our troubles at the feet of Christ, trust in Him to accomplish His will through them, and help us to grow because of them.  Therefore, rest in peace in the knowledge that if you seek God's will for your life and are diligent to serve Him, where He guides you He will also provide for you.

Psalm 29:11

"The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace."

Joy

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

The meaning of joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is based on current circumstances and how they affect one's life and mood. Joy, on the other hand, refers to a sense of well-being that one can experience because he is in possession of salvation through Christ and also the promises of eternal glory and redemption through God. The promises of God last forever, never change, and the thought of them can cause a faithful believer to have an inward contentment and security even when all seems to be crumbling around him. When an unbeliever peers into a believer's life, he should be able to see a joyful, secure, and content follower of God even in the midst of financial problems, a harsh workplace, rejection, persecution, and so forth. Although a believer may not be happy when he faces various trials and may not understand the purpose behind them, he can let his salvation in Christ and the unwavering love of God bring a sense of joy and peace in the situations he faces. 

Always remember this truth, God allows fiery trials into a believer's life for the purpose of refining him, helping him to grow in trust and strength, and to become a believer who is mature in the faith, able to carry out the Lord's will. If you can think about the trials in your life with this perspective, you will be able to face them with joy and anticipation of becoming more like Christ while on this earth and also of your future glorification through Him in Heaven.

Colossians 1:11-14 

"May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Love

Galatians 5:22,23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

As the Spirit guides and directs the life of a believer who is sensitive to His prodding, certain characteristics in the believer's life will become evident. During these next few blog posts, I will seek to describe each fruit of the Spirit so that we may be able to better apply them to our lives. Today I begin with Love..

It is no coincidence that the apostle Paul listed love first. This word is derived from the Greek word agape, which means a willing and deliberate love. It is not hyped feelings or warm-fuzzies, but a sacrificial giving to others as you place their interests and needs above your own. This is seen by Christ praying for his enemies, ministering among the poor and low in status, giving all He had to those in need, healing the sick, and even asking God to forgive those who put Him to death. It is also seen by great men of the faith who gave their lives and material goods to those around them, friend or foe, traveled to hostile lands and foreign cultures, suffered persecution for their faith, and ministered among all in their reach by God's calling. This is the ultimate fruit because he who has sacrificial love for those around him will not act sinfully and selfishly but will be patient, kind, forgiving, and so forth. All other fruits of the Spirit are built on love, for without love it is impossible to please God, serve Him, and serve those whom He has placed around us. Let us therefore work diligently to follow Christ's example of love and make it a vital part of our lives as we seek to be a testimony for Christ to those He has placed in our sphere of influence.

1 John 4:21

"And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

Luke 10: 27

"So He answered and said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"