With all we have been through over the past couple of months it is very possible to find ourselves being swept up in this atmosphere of frustration and anxiety as the ever-evolving pandemic situation presses forward spawning negative reactions from so many. For some, the return to normalcy is too slow. For others the return to normalcy is too fast. Some people are protesting and some are being jailed. Some are trying to publicly shame others and some are engaged in scam activities. From A to Z all aspects of our distasteful human frailties are vividly on display which unfortunately only contributes to this atmosphere of chaos, confusion, mistrust, resentment and polarization.
Nonetheless, no matter what the stimuli, here are the facts. What we display via our physical, verbal and emotional reactions, particularly under distress, is typically indicative of who we really are. Luke 6: 45 says “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” This is dramatically illustrated in the “Parable of the Soils” (Mark 4) where Jesus was describing what happens to the good seed that God has planted in us when we are impacted and influenced by external conditions: “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful.” As a result, it becomes very difficult to pattern ourselves after instructions in Galatians 5: 24 which says “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” and Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
To say we are not exposed to the human passions of frustration, disappointment, depression, anger, injury, etc. would not be the truth. Why? Because we ARE human ….. but thank God we are not ONLY human. We are spirit beings and it is in that realm where our real battles occur. Your flesh is a beast and you must conquer it or it will conquer you. Praise God Almighty that we are "more than conquerors" through Him that loved us. We have a priceless treasure contained within these mortal bodies that is so precious that mighty angels have been assigned by God to encamp around us with orders to respond quickly in our defense against the enemy. And though you are assaulted daily by the forces of evil you must constantly remind yourself that God says He is purifying you and has chosen you in the furnace of affliction. We can rejoice because no matter what happens we know that all things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose. As 2nd Peter 1: 3 & 4 says “According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
With everything that is within us we must avoid getting entangled in the madness of this world. And we can do it because "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." (1 John 4: 1) We as Christians, despite the situation or provocation, should always endeavor to display the fruit of the Spirit which was freely given to us by our God and are direct indicators of our relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Indeed this is how we are truly identified as Christians. Matthew 7: 20 doesn’t signify that we will be known as Christians because of what we say. It very simply and powerfully declares “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”
So here is the question, “What is the fruit of the Spirit?” Though rhetorical in nature, this inquiry is exceedingly worthy of a response. And that is because the answer, even in written and oral expression, is profitable for the inner man. So take your time and read each element slowly and separately. You may even want to close your eyes or even speak each one out loud. Allow the distinct and soothing characteristic of these spiritual jewels to saturate your soul with the comfort and strength of God. This is His Word (Gal 5: 22 & 23), designed for you to hide in your heart:
Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Gentleness
Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance
The path to God’s holy mountain of empowerment and spiritual flourishing runs through the valley of sincere humility and willing obedience. Don’t let the frustrations of this life hinder the growth of the spiritual fruit we should be continuously nurturing to maturity. It’s not the atmosphere you are subjected to but the source of your strength which will determine your victorious walk in Christ. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17: 7 & 8)
So walk the walk, dear ones, motivated by the true change of heart that has made you a new creature in Christ. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5: 16).
May grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
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