(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth.) Ephesians 5:9 . . It seems that many people think they are good, and they feel they are righteous, and they say they have the truth. You can turn this verse several ways around and turn it upside down if you want, but it is going to mean the same thing. You cant have goodness, without the fruit of the Spirit; because goodness IS a fruit of the Spirit. And you certainly cannot be righteous either, without the fruit of the Spirit. You also cant possibly have all the truth, without manifesting the fruit that goes with it. This fruit, we are talking about, comes in one package; its not that you can have one or two, and not manifest the others. Years ago, it was explained to me; like a bunch of bananas, or a cluster of grapes; its all the same fruit. We cannot claim goodness, if we dont have meekness and gentleness to go along with it. No one of us is perfect; there was only one perfect One that ever walked this earth; and that was Jesus Christ. We do strive for perfection; but its quite likely, that none of us are going to manifest all of the fruit, all of the time. But one thing is clear; it should be most of the time; if we are living and walking after the Spirit. If we are not continually seeking after the Spirit and trying to follow His lead, that will be manifested in us. We who have said that we are called by His name, cant somehow tolerate the idea. that our spirit has driven people away at times. If we had truly been manifesting the characteristics of the Spirit and not our own spirit, that likely would not have happened. Most of us have been taught, what self-righteousness looks like to God. I wonder if it ever occurred to us, that it looks the same, to people who arent even in the church. And in the fear of sounding too conceited or puffed up, it has often looked the same, to those who were genuinely trying to follow the Spirit, and walk therein. Im not throwing darts or attempting to put people down; God knows, there has already been enough of that. But some of us, who think we have so much truth, and think we are the only ones right, have come to have a reputation, of being arrogant, condemning and judgmental. We have often had a haughty attitude in assuming, that others did not like us, because they did not want God or live the way they were supposed to live. If we had cared enough to listen, we might have learned, it was OUR spirit that often offended them the most. They in turn, had judged us by our own fruit. Why is this message important today; in this very hour. Its because, it is only by the fruit of the Spirit, that people are going to know what we really are. It will not matter what you call yourself, what name you have over the door, or what you say your doctrine and beliefs are. If we do not genuinely manifest the things that truly mark someone who is born-again, no one will be interested in anything we have to say. In the days ahead, people are going to need a refuge. They will be searching for those who have the answers, and the real Spirit to back it up. Meek folk, do not try to promote themselves. Real love, does not condemn, judge harshly and does not speak arrogantly. Works of the flesh, will produce a different kind of fruit.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:06:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015