Let us spend today looking at references to "fruit" in other parts of the Bible. In Matthew, the concept of people producing fruit comes up three times that I found. Twice, it is in reference to the pharisees. Both John the Baptist (Matt 3:10) and Jesus (Matt 12:33) talk about how a bad tree produces bad fruit and a good tree produces good fruit. Again I am left with the image that fruit is not something we need to try to produce, but it is something we will naturally produce if we are healthy inside. Jesus reiterates this in his sermon on the mount (Matt 7:20) when he says we can tell what type of people false prophets are by their fruit. He goes on to say that those who produce bad fruit will be chopped off and thrown into the fire.
So if producing fruit comes from our inner being, then to produce good fruit or the fruit of Holy Spirit,
we need to work not on the fruit but on our inner being. In John 15, Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are branches.
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. "
John 15:5-8
Three things strike me here:
1. We produce good fruit by remaining in Christ. This goes right along with what we have been learning about the fruit of Holy Spirit. It is God's fruit lived out in our lives. Let our thoughts remain in Christ throughout the day. Let our words reflect His. Let our deeds model His. Let our security be tied to His love. Let our comfort and joy and rest be found in Him.
2. If we remain in Christ we can ask for anything and it will be granted. By remaining in Christ, by tying our thoughts to Him and learning our words from Him we can ask for the right things. And we already know some of the right things to ask for: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we are living in Christ we can ask and God will fill us.
3. Producing good fruit can help others and make us feel good, but ultimately it brings great glory to God the Father! Philippians 1:11 says the same thing: "May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Isn't that awesome. By letting God work his fruit in our lives we can be used to glorify Him.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
The War Within
Another thought that struck me in my overview reading of Galatians, is that we as Christians seem to be living with a type of split personality. We have God's Holy Spirit living within us, and yet we are still living in our sinful bodies. Galatians 5 Tells us that the desires of our sinful nature are evil and in exact contrast to the desires of the Spirit within us. In fact, they are at war within us.
I know this seems to conflict with the idea of freedom. If the Spirit coming into us breeds war within us, how is this freedom? I think freedom comes into play in two ways. First, the Spirit offers us a choice. Before we become Christians we may attempt to do good, but ultimately we continue to do evil. With the Spirit we have choice. We can see the difference between good and evil. We are now equipped with the ability to let God's Spirit workout good through our lives.
Second, I think freedom comes into play as we are able to escape the consequences of bad choices. Living out sinful desires can appear fun and enticing in the moment, but ultimately though sinful desires bring negative consequences. We both reap the ramifications of evil and become addicted to the sin in our lives. It becomes harder and harder to break free from the choices we find ourselves bound too. By turning from our evil desires and allowing the Spirit to produce his fruit through us, we receive freedom from the chains of sin.
After reading Galatians, it seems to me that in many ways we need to work harder at turning away from sin then we do at striving to produce the Spirit's fruit. We need to work hard at binding our sinful nature and choosing not to follow our sinful desires. By giving up that way of life, by losing ourselves, we can allow God's Spirit to work through us. The good news is that the more we turn from our sinful desires, the more we give control of the situations in our lives over to God, the easier it becomes to make this choice again next time.
So when my kids are taking what seems like hours to put on their boots and coats, and I feel the war within me between impatience and anger verse patience and gentleness, I'm reminded that I need to work hard on giving up my impatience. I need to give up my sinful anger that rises within me. I need to ask God for help. I need to give the situation over to the Spirit. I need to let Him work out his fruit through me. And the next time my kids are stalling instead of getting ready to go out, I can give the situation over to God again. And the next time, because trust me this situation happens more than once every day in my life this winter, it will be easier to die to myself and let the Spirit work through me.
I know this seems to conflict with the idea of freedom. If the Spirit coming into us breeds war within us, how is this freedom? I think freedom comes into play in two ways. First, the Spirit offers us a choice. Before we become Christians we may attempt to do good, but ultimately we continue to do evil. With the Spirit we have choice. We can see the difference between good and evil. We are now equipped with the ability to let God's Spirit workout good through our lives.
Second, I think freedom comes into play as we are able to escape the consequences of bad choices. Living out sinful desires can appear fun and enticing in the moment, but ultimately though sinful desires bring negative consequences. We both reap the ramifications of evil and become addicted to the sin in our lives. It becomes harder and harder to break free from the choices we find ourselves bound too. By turning from our evil desires and allowing the Spirit to produce his fruit through us, we receive freedom from the chains of sin.
After reading Galatians, it seems to me that in many ways we need to work harder at turning away from sin then we do at striving to produce the Spirit's fruit. We need to work hard at binding our sinful nature and choosing not to follow our sinful desires. By giving up that way of life, by losing ourselves, we can allow God's Spirit to work through us. The good news is that the more we turn from our sinful desires, the more we give control of the situations in our lives over to God, the easier it becomes to make this choice again next time.
So when my kids are taking what seems like hours to put on their boots and coats, and I feel the war within me between impatience and anger verse patience and gentleness, I'm reminded that I need to work hard on giving up my impatience. I need to give up my sinful anger that rises within me. I need to ask God for help. I need to give the situation over to the Spirit. I need to let Him work out his fruit through me. And the next time my kids are stalling instead of getting ready to go out, I can give the situation over to God again. And the next time, because trust me this situation happens more than once every day in my life this winter, it will be easier to die to myself and let the Spirit work through me.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Freedom
One of the things that struck me in those passages from Galatians, is the idea of freedom. Paul tells us that Christ has set us free and that we are called to live in that freedom. In fact, he says that if we try to live in our own flesh or attempt to reestablish laws for our lives we are in fact sinning or giving up our freedom - enslaving ourselves. We are not to set up a long list of rules of how we should love, instead we are free to love. We can claim freedom from our sinful desires, freedom to live out love. We do not need regulations for how to live in joy, instead we claim freedom from the expectations this world holds us to so that we can have God's joy.
Do I live in freedom most days? No, I probably don't. I get bogged down in my list of things to do. I get caught up the expectations other people have for my life. I worry about what people think of me. I get down on myself when once again my sinful nature rises to the surface. But this is not what God calls me to. This is not what Christ died for. I am no longer a slave to anything of this world. I am God's own child, and I can live in freedom knowing that he loves me and has called me to his purpose.
So living out the fruits of the Spirit is not meant to be a chore. It is meant to be a life of freedom.
Do I live in freedom most days? No, I probably don't. I get bogged down in my list of things to do. I get caught up the expectations other people have for my life. I worry about what people think of me. I get down on myself when once again my sinful nature rises to the surface. But this is not what God calls me to. This is not what Christ died for. I am no longer a slave to anything of this world. I am God's own child, and I can live in freedom knowing that he loves me and has called me to his purpose.
So living out the fruits of the Spirit is not meant to be a chore. It is meant to be a life of freedom.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The context
To gain context for these verses I have been reading the book of Galatians. Here are a few verses that stood out for me.
Galatians 2: 18 – 20
Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So i died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all of its requirements – so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2: 3-4
You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
Galatians 4: 6-7
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Galatians 5: 1
So Christ has truly set us free.
Galatians 5: 13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5: 16-17
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing which are sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5: 24-25
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful natures to the cross and crucified them them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 2: 18 – 20
Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So i died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all of its requirements – so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2: 3-4
You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?
Galatians 4: 6-7
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father." Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.
Galatians 5: 1
So Christ has truly set us free.
Galatians 5: 13-14
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Galatians 5: 16-17
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing which are sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5: 24-25
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful natures to the cross and crucified them them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Finding Fruit Online
Today I spent some time reading what others have to say about the Fruit of the Spirit online. Here are some snapshots of what I found:
Joyce Meyer
What I appreciated form this site were two ways to increase the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. First, one quote from the site is this: "the more you draw near to God, praying and reflecting on His Word, the more you will experience the fruit of the Spirit in your life." In the video on the site Joyce also talks about fruit as something that the Spirit puts in us as seed. The more we use the fruit the more it grows. So the way to get better at loving is to love more. The way to gain patience is to be patient more.
Lara Velez
She has just finished writing a study on the fruit of the spirit which I look forward to reading through. On her facebook page she quoted this verse: "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." - Galatians 5:16 I love the contrast between our sinful nature and Spirit's fruit in this verse. I need to give up my stress for the Spirit's peace. I need to give up my impatience for the Spirit's patience.
OpenBible
This site lists a bunch of verses related to the Fruit of the Spirit. One of my favorites was this: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13. Holy Spirit (with his fruit) will come to us just by us asking. We don't have to be good enough first. In fact, we can't be good without Him.
Family Life
The writers on this site turned our way of looking at the fruits backwards. Instead of thinking about how to produce them, we can look at if we are producing them as signs of what is going on internally. The refer to this as a spiritual check-up. If we are producing the Spirit's fruit then He is actively at work in us. If we are not producing much fruit, then we need confess our reliance on self and commit to giving control of our lives to God.
Raising Arrows
This site has some fun lessons on the fruit of the Spirit to do with children. I was convicted recently that when I learn things in my spiritual studies I should not be learning them just for me, but so that I can teach others. That is what disciple making is all about really. As a mom, I have three young ones that are relying on me to teach them and train them. I should not only be working at letting the Spirit's fruit flow in my life but also at sharing with them how they too can rely on Holy Spirit.
Joyce Meyer
What I appreciated form this site were two ways to increase the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. First, one quote from the site is this: "the more you draw near to God, praying and reflecting on His Word, the more you will experience the fruit of the Spirit in your life." In the video on the site Joyce also talks about fruit as something that the Spirit puts in us as seed. The more we use the fruit the more it grows. So the way to get better at loving is to love more. The way to gain patience is to be patient more.
Lara Velez
She has just finished writing a study on the fruit of the spirit which I look forward to reading through. On her facebook page she quoted this verse: "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves." - Galatians 5:16 I love the contrast between our sinful nature and Spirit's fruit in this verse. I need to give up my stress for the Spirit's peace. I need to give up my impatience for the Spirit's patience.
OpenBible
This site lists a bunch of verses related to the Fruit of the Spirit. One of my favorites was this: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13. Holy Spirit (with his fruit) will come to us just by us asking. We don't have to be good enough first. In fact, we can't be good without Him.
Family Life
The writers on this site turned our way of looking at the fruits backwards. Instead of thinking about how to produce them, we can look at if we are producing them as signs of what is going on internally. The refer to this as a spiritual check-up. If we are producing the Spirit's fruit then He is actively at work in us. If we are not producing much fruit, then we need confess our reliance on self and commit to giving control of our lives to God.
Raising Arrows
This site has some fun lessons on the fruit of the Spirit to do with children. I was convicted recently that when I learn things in my spiritual studies I should not be learning them just for me, but so that I can teach others. That is what disciple making is all about really. As a mom, I have three young ones that are relying on me to teach them and train them. I should not only be working at letting the Spirit's fruit flow in my life but also at sharing with them how they too can rely on Holy Spirit.
Friday, February 1, 2013
His fruit or mine?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22-23
Credits: I resolve by Juno Designs, fonts are Avenir Next and Blackoak Std.
Galatians 5:22-23
I've heard this verse so many times. In fact I have found myself not wanting to hear anymore. I said that it was just too familiar, but I think there was another reason too. Displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my life is hard. I fail at it all the time!
When I heard people talk about this verse, the sermon or discussion often looks at how we as Christians can be better at these "fruits" or characteristics. Someone might list steps we can take to work on being more joyful. Or I might comment that I'm good at peace and kindness, but I struggle with patience and self-control.
However, while it is good to work on ways to show more love, to be more patient, and to practice gentleness, I don't think that is what Galatians 5 is getting at. "But the Holy Spirit produces...." It is God's Spirit that should be producing the fruit, not us. In fact, that is one of the major themes of Galatians. We are saved by faith, not through following rules. In Galatians 2 Paul talks about how following the law only shows us how guilty we are.
I don't have to learn or practice this fruit listed in Galatians. I don't need to practice 5 steps in how to show love. I don't have to get angry at myself for loosing patience with my kids, thinking I must be a bad Christian. I don't have to rely on my kindness to get me through a meeting. This fruit - these characteristics - come from Holy Spirit. I need to get myself out of the way and let God's Spirit manifest fruit through me.
So when I know I need to love, I don't just need to remind myself to love or have a list of ways I can love. I need to remember God's amazing love and surrender the situation to Him. When I need patience in my day I need to remember all of the times God has been patient with me and open myself up for his patience to poor through me.
I'm not saying that we are therefore off the hook. I'm not saying that it is not hard work. In fact I'm going to devote one month out of this year for each fruit. To focus on surrendering those areas of my life to the Lord. It is going to take focus. It is going to take work. It is going to take practice. But God can do it. God can transform my life. God can produce His fruit through me.
As I was thinking about this challenge for me I decided that Fruit would be my one word for 2013. (One word is a trend that has been out for a couple years now. A couple places you can read about it are here and here.) And since I'm a scrapbooker, I scrapped it:
Credits: I resolve by Juno Designs, fonts are Avenir Next and Blackoak Std.
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