One of my favorite posts you have written. Thank you for the reminder.
CHAPTER SUMMARY:
- We have freedom in Christ. Therefore, walk in the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh!
How many of us realize we fall back on our before-salvation tendencies? Do you know that we have freedom in Christ? FREEDOM! We don't have to live by or for the world any longer. We can only experience freedom in Christ when we choose to walk in Him rather than walk in our flesh- otherwise, we deny our freedom, and succumb to our old selves- the slaves we were to the world. Let's wake up and realize our freedom! What is walking in the Spirit? Well, walking in daily surrender to Jesus. When we do this, fruit will be produced in and through our lives. In verse 22, it lists the fruits of the Spirit- meaning, things that will be produced when we walk in the Lord. Here they are:
- love
- joy
- peace
- patience
- kindness
- goodness
- faithfulness
- gentleness
- self-control
There are a few on that list that I need to mature. The closer we get to Jesus, the more fruit that is produced in and through us. We shouldn't beat ourselves up if these qualities don't mirror our tendencies, but we should aim to be closer to Christ. HE alone does the work in us. We just need to live in Him and let the Spirit prune and mold us. These qualities will mature in us as we let the Spirit do His work!
- 02-20-12
APPLICATION:
- Which of the fruits of the Spirit do you realize you are lacking? Pray and ask God who will give to those who ask! Just a word of caution, if you ask for patience, He doesn't snap His finger and give you patience, but will give you situations in which you can practice- again and again AND AGAIN patience!
Topic: Chapter 5
Re: fruits
Date: 02/21/2012 | By: Pruning Me
I didn't realize it until a year ago, that it isn't about us trying harder to purify ourselves. We get so bogged down and discouraged because when we put it on ourselves to get better, we fail. It's unfortunate that so many people never stop trying to do it themselves. Maybe that's why so much growth has happened this past year, because I don't try anymore- I just get closer to Jesus!!
fruits
Date: 02/21/2012 | By: Ric
Well put, the fruit is produced as we walk close with Jesus. Too many see the fruits as a "to do list". Striving to do this list puts us back in bondage again. We need to pursue Jesus continually and He will produce the fruit. That's true freedom because He is responsible for the fruit, I'm just along for the ride and an awesome ride it is.