Not against the law
In the book of Galatians we read,
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23.
Here’s a simple question. Are you exhibiting these fruit in your life?
Please think about it.
Principles for living #3 Christian attributes
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
Here is a simple test for anyone calling themselves a believer in Christ Jesus. Now keep in mind believers in Christ are far from perfect. We are all human with human frailties and failings.
That being said however as believers in Christ we should be striving to be Christ like. We should be trying to make the fruits of the spirit part of our daily life.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do
may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
If our lives are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, the sermon people will see in us is the Love of Jesus.
Question: When people see your life do they truly see the fruit of the Spirit of God?
Please think about it.
Clothed with
In the book of Colossians we read,
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12.
Paul here is telling us what a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus really is like.
They are holy, dearly loved by God.
They are clothed with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, and patience.
If you claim to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you truly showing these attributes?
Please think about it.
Do people see these in you?
In the book of Colossians we read,
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12.
These are attributes of a Christian,
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus do people see these attributes in your life?
Please think about it.
Clothe yourselves in
In the book of Colossians we read,
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Here is what those who claim to be Christians. True followers of Christ Jesus should be showing to those around them. “Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience”.
If you consider yourself t true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are these attributes what people see in you?
Please think about it.
Justice, Kindness, Humility
In the book of Micah we read,
“He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8.
This is what God requires of those who believe in Him.
To be just in all our dealings with our fellow man.
To love Kindness. To show kindness to everyone we come in contact with.
To walk in humility before God and man.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are these the qualities people see in you?
Please think about it.
The fruits of a Christian
Jesus said,
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Matthew 7:15-20.
Here is something I think Christians here in North America seemingly forget about. Many calling themselves Christians follow false prophets. Men and women who sound religious. Who spout scripture but take it out of context in order to deceive people.
A true believer in Christ Jesus exhibits good fruit. The apostle Paul defining what good fruit is. Writing,
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...." Galatians 5:22, 23b.
As Christians we should be following men and women of God who exhibit these qualities.
So the question becomes are the pastors, evangelist and other church leaders you are following truly exhibiting, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?
Are you personally exhibiting these qualities?
Please think about it.
Transformation
In the book of Romans the apostle Paul writes,
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1,2.
If we truly accept Jesus into our lives a transformation begins. The speed of the transformation varies in each individual. However be it slow or quick a true believer in Christ will change. They will begin to exhibit what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirit,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22,23.
Exhibiting such fruits will become second nature to them. This I believe is one way you can tell a true Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus.
When people look at your life what do they see?
Please think about it.
