This week we continue our reflection on the fruit of the Spirit. Wonderful guidance, as we take time out, to pause our busy-ness and be refilled. I believe God’s grace is continually working – the wonder of his patience. I am inspired by one of Paul’s great “therefores”- Romans 12: 1-2
A Living Sacrifice
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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.
So let us listen again… to these verses about each “fruit”
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Kindness - a hallmark of God’s distinctive behaviour:
…but show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness, as long as I live (1 Sam 20: 14a)
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying; I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with unfailing kindness (Jeremiah 31: 3)
The Islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold (Acts 28: 2)
Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col 3: 12)
Goodness:
Answer me, Lord out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me (Psalm 69: 16).
For the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5: 9).
For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter 1: 5-7).
But you, Sovereign Lord, help [us} for your name’s sake, out of the goodness of your love deliver [us] (Psalm 109: 21).
Faithfulness:
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist (Isaiah 11: 5)
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 3: 3)
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it (3 John 1: 3)
I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord (Hosea 2: 20)
Gentleness:
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you---I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! (2 Cor 10: 1)
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near (Phil 4: 5)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3: 15)
Self-control:
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32)
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope… (Titus 2: 11-13a)
For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, kindness; and to kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1: 5-8)
Have a great summer. May we rest well, grow, and return ready…
Nigel
Respond
