THE QUALITIES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: GROWING KINGDOM CULTURE Paul desired TO INSTILL THE NATURE OF THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM IN THE LIVES OF ITS FIRST-CENTURY CITIZENS, WHO WHERE LEARNING WHAT IT MEANT FOR THEM TO BE (REALIGNED) WITH THE KING. In his letter to kingdom citizens in Galatia, he made a list of essential qualities that make up the character of the King: LOVE JOY PEACE PATIENCE KINDNESS GOODNESS FAITHFULNESS GENTLENESS SELF-CONTROL (ANY (TRUE MANIFESTATION) OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH WILL HAVE THESE CHARACTERISTICS). Paul referred to these qualities as THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. He was saying that, WHEREVER THE GOVERNOR WAS, THESE QUALITIES SHOULD BE EVIDENT, INDICATING THAT THE CULTURE OF THE KING WAS PRESENT. PAUL USED THIS PARTICULAR ANALOGY OF FRUIT BECAUSE FRUIT DOESNT APPEAR OVERNIGHT; IT DEVELOPS OVER TIME, AND HE WANTED THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO (CULTIVATE) THE CULTURE OF THE KING IN THEIR LIVES, UNDER THE EXAMPLE AND LEADING OF THE GOVERNOR. FIRST, THE GOVERNOR TEACHES US THE NATURE OF THE ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT IN HEAVEN. THEN HE SHOWS US THAT, BECAUSE HE LIVES WITHIN US, (WE HAVE THIS ORIGINAL NATURE AND NEED TO MANIFEST IT IN OUR LIVES). (WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT, YOU ALSO RECEIVE THE SEED OF KINGDOM NATURE). YOU DEVELOP THIS SEED BY PUTTING INTO YOUR LIFE THE KINGDOM ELEMENTS THAT ALLOW IT TO GROW. For example, an apple tree doesnt have to WORK to produce its fruit. The seeds of the fruit are WITHIN it, and eventually, through a (PROCESS OF MATURITY), enabled by elements such as the nutrients in the ground and sunlight, what is on the inside of the tree becomes manifested on its branches. (THE SPIRITUAL NUTRIENTS THAT ENABLE THE FRUIT TO GROW IN OUR LIVES ARE MAINTAINING A CONTINUAL CONNECTION WITH THE KING, LEARNING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM, WHICH IS THE SCRIPTURE, AND YIELDING TO THE DIRECTION OF THE GOVERNOR IN OUR LIVES). Just as apples are a natural outgrowth of apple trees, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT BECOMES A (NATURAL) DEVELOPMENT IN THE LIFE OF A KINGDOM CITIZEN BECAUSE HE IS (REFLECTING THE NATURE OF HIS KING). For example one of the FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT IS GOODNESS. (IT IS THEREFORE NATURAL FOR US TO BE GOOD IF WERE IN THE KINGDOM). IF WE ARE NOT GOOD, (WE ARE UNNATURAL). THE GOVERNOR CONNECTS US TO OUR (ORIGINAL NATURE), WHICH IS TRUE LIFE FOR US AS HUMAN BEINGS. THE QUALITIES OR FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT EMBODY THE KINGS CULTURE SO THAT, FIRST OF ALL WE SEE THAT IT IS A CULTURE OF LOVE, A CULTURE OF JOY, AND A CULTURE OF PEACE. Imagine a culture filled with all the qualities in the above list! ITS OUR CULTURE TO BE FAITHFUL--TO BE LOYAL TO OUR COMMITMENTS. ITS OUR CULTURE TO BE GENTLE. WERE NEVER BRASH OR RUDE WITH OTHER PEOPLE. AS JESUS SAID, BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH. ITS OUR CULTURE TO BE SELF-CONTROLLED. WE NEVER LOSE CONTROL OF OUR TEMPERS OR OUR DESIRES. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR LIVES, WE STILL LIVE OUT AND EXHIBIT ALL THESE QUALITIES. When we have the Royal Governor resident within us, therefore, HE RENOVATES OUR LIVES BY ENABLING US TO REFLECT THE NATURE OF THE KING. HE CHANGES OUR PERSONAL CULTURE BY GIVING US A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND A NEW KINGDOM EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM; HE CAUSES US TO HAVE THE MIND-SET OF THE KING. HE RETRAINS US IN HOW TO THINK, HOW TO TALK, AND HOW TO WALK.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 16:43:32 +0000
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