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"You reap what you sow!"
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23).
Let each of us contemplate the goal set before those who are to inherit the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul lists these targets as the fruits of the Holy Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23). Let's deal briefly with each of the component part of the "cluster" of the fruits of the Spirit.
LOVE
What does Paul have to say about this virtue? "If I can speak the languages of men and even of angels. but have no love, I am only a noisy gong or a clashing cymbal. If I am inspired to preach and know all the secret truths and possess all knowledge, and if I have such perfect faith that I can move mountains, but have no love, I am nothing. Even if I give away everything I own, and give myself up. but do it in pride, not love, it does me no good. Love is patient and kind. Love is not envious or boastful. It does j not put on airs. It is not rude. It does not insist on its rights. It does not become angry. It is not resentful. It is not happy over injustice, it is only happy with truth. It will bear anything, believe anything, hope for anything, endure anything. Love will never die out." (1 Cor.13:1-8, Smith Goodspeed Trans). Is our aim perfect in all respects or are we missing the target.
JOY
This is a state of perfect happiness regardless of environment or situation one may face. Paul spoke from experience when he confessed: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state
I am, therewith to be content" (Phil 4:11). He further said: "Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great
is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Cor 7:4).
PEACE
Most of us far too often fall short of this goal of true happiness-enduring, inward peace- when they seek the satisfaction of the physical instead of the spiritual! What gratifies the flesh seldom brings peace to the spirit. Paul said, "To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6).
LONGSUFFERING
This means to endure offenses without retaliation, willingly waiting God's time for vindication. Longsuffering denotes patience and forbearance, as will as self-restraint. Moses had to learn this lesson at Mount Sinai. "And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation" ( Ex 34:5-7). Few indeed find this spiritual virtue!
GENTLENESS
This is a translation of the Greek word meaning "clemency, moderation and patience." It is a disposition to be merciful in all dealings. It is the reverse of harshness and rigor. "Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great" (Ps 18:35).By Christ's example Paul shows us this fruit. "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you" (2 Cor 10:1).
GOODNESS
This is kindliness, an attribute that is akin to godliness. The Psalmist says of the Lord: "Oh how great is thy goodness [kindness], which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" (Ps 31:19). Few of us are kindly at all times and under every circumstances.
FAITH
Faith is a paramount Christian virtue. It was said of Abraham that he "believed God, and it was accounted him for righteousness" (Gal. 3:6). We must believe and trust God in all things and have unwavering conviction concerning the truth of His word. We must never doubt in our minds in regard to all of His promises. By such faith we are justified and may be assured of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
MEEKNESS
This is Christian humility. It is a humble spirit, freedom from pride and arrogance. Pride is a sin that besets the human race and humility is seldom in evidence. "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa 57:15). "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up" (James 4:10).
TEMPERANCE
This is moderation in all things. Self-control is its watchword. This keeps us from every kind of harmful indulgence. Most of us fall short of this mark in daily living. Paul admonishes us to keep ourselves in control because: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Cor 3:16-17) .If we reap what we sow-then we will be producing the fruits of God's Holy Spirit and our reward will be in the Kingdom of God.
FRUITS OF GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT
How To Plant Your Gardens
First, you come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses....
FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING,
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS :
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN
WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND
CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE IS MUCH
FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU
REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
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