26 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
26 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
|
|
<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 13</div></div>
|
|
<div class="main-just"><div class="pad2030">
|
|
<h2>Once More on Grace and Spiritual Fruit</h2>
|
|
<div class="block"><i>The <b>fruit</b> of the <b>Spirit</b> is…kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…being filled with the <b>fruits</b> of righteousness which are <b>by Jesus Christ</b>, to the glory and praise of God.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,22,23);">Galatians 5:22-23</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Phl',1,11);">Philippians 1:11</a>)</div>
|
|
<p>As the <b>Holy Spirit</b> works the <b>grace</b> of God in our <b>hearts</b>, the various aspects of <b>spiritual fruit</b> are manifested through us. <i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>kindness</b>."</i> Kindness is moral goodness and integrity conveyed toward others. It includes showing concern and consideration to people, desiring not to offend them. <i>"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be <b>kind</b> to one another"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',4,31,32);">Ephesians 4:31-32</a>).</p>
|
|
<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>goodness</b>."</i> Goodness is quite similar to the preceding term, kindness. The additional perspectives contained in goodness would be acts of generosity and beneficence. This somewhat repetitious concept indicates the <b>high priority</b> that God places upon our <b>treatment</b> of <b>others</b>.</p>
|
|
<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>faithfulness</b>."</i> Faithfulness embodies responsibility and loyalty. It also comprises reliability and consistency. <i>"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found <b>faithful</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Cr',4,2);">1 Corinthians 4:2</a>).</p>
|
|
<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>gentleness</b>."</i> Gentleness is explained by such terms as meekness and lowliness. Such quality of character takes on special significance when we recall these words of Jesus. <i>"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am <b>gentle</b> and <b>lowly</b> in heart, and you will find rest for your souls"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat',11,29);">Matthew 11:29</a>).</p>
|
|
<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>self-control</b>."</i> Self-control is a fascinating subject, because it is not what it seems to be at first. <b>Natural</b> human thinking would assume it refers to <b>self</b> keeping <b>self</b> under <b>control</b>. Such a description would have to be listed under the previous verses pertaining to <i>"the <b>works</b> of the <b>flesh</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,19);">Galatians 5:19</a>). Here, it describes the <b>Spirit</b> of God maintaining <b>control</b> over our lives.</p>
|
|
<p>When we reflect upon the fruit of the Spirit, the character of Christ typically comes to mind. This is appropriate, since godly fruit comes to us through the presence of Jesus in our lives. <i>"Being filled with the <b>fruits</b> of righteousness which are <b>by Jesus Christ</b>, to the glory and praise of God."</i> When we depend upon the Holy Spirit, He <b>imparts</b> the <b>life</b> of <b>Jesus</b>, our true vine, into and through our experience. The character of Christ is then seen in us. Consequently, all glory and praise goes to God!</p>
|
|
<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Dear Lord Jesus, how I long to be more like You. I can easily be selfish, inconsistent, or out of control. I see that only Your Holy Spirit working in me can bring the necessary fruit. Lord, I pray, work deeply in me by Your irreplaceable grace, for Your glory and praise, Amen.</div>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0212.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
|
|
<a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0214.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
|
|
</div></div>
|
|
<div class="return"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/index.html">Return to Day By Day By Grace Page</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|