27 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
27 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">February 12</div></div>
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<h2>Even More on Grace and Spiritual Fruit</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>"He who <b>abides</b> in Me, and I in him, bears <b>much fruit</b>"…the <b>fruit</b> of the <b>Spirit</b> is love, joy, peace, longsuffering.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jhn',15,5);">John 15:5</a> and <a onClick="return mV('Gal',5,22);">Galatians 5:22</a>)</div>
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<p>As we <b>abide</b> in <b>Christ</b>, spiritual <b>fruit</b> develops in our lives. This occurs as the <b>Holy Spirit</b> applies the <b>grace</b> resources of God to our inner man. This spiritual produce then appears as <b>godly character</b> in us.</p>
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<p><b>Love</b> is the primary indication that we are trusting the Lord to bring forth fruit in us. <i>"The fruit of the Spirit is <b>love</b>."</i> In fact, some see love as the singular fruit, with joy, peace, etc., as aspects of that love. This is <b>divine</b> love ("<b>agape</b>" love), a love that flows from the heart of God. <i>"Beloved, let us love one another, for <b>love is of God</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('1Jo',4,7);">1 John 4:7</a>). Such love is not stirred by the "loveability" of the object. It is a unique, heavenly love available <b>only</b> from the Lord.</p>
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<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>joy</b>."</i> Joy is gladness of heart, an inner spiritual happiness that does not depend upon circumstances. It is a spiritual delight in the Lord that is always available, no matter what is happening around us. <i>"Rejoice <b>in the Lord</b> always. Again I will say, rejoice!"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl',4,4);">Philippians 4:4</a>).</p>
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<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>peace</b>."</i> This peace is related to a cessation of hostility <b>between</b> parties. It affects our relationship with the Lord. <i>"We have <b>peace with God</b> through our Lord Jesus Christ"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom',5,1);">Romans 5:1</a>). It also impacts our relationship with others. <i>"For <b>He Himself</b> is our <b>peace</b>, who has made <b>both</b></i> [i. e., Jew and Gentile] <b><i>one</i></b><i>, and has <b>broken down</b> the middle <b>wall of division between us</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Eph',2,14);">Ephesians 2:14</a>). This peace also involves a spiritual calm and tranquility <b>within</b> our hearts. <i>"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the <b>peace of God</b>, which surpasses all understanding, will <b>guard</b> your <b>hearts</b> and <b>minds</b> through Christ Jesus"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl',4,6,7);">Philippians 4:6-7</a>).</p>
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<p><i>"The fruit of the Spirit is… <b>longsuffering</b>."</i> Longsuffering would include patience and forbearance. It would embrace a willingness to forgive and to not seek vengeance. <i>"Put on…<b>longsuffering</b>; <b>bearing with</b> one another, and <b>forgiving</b> one another"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Col',3,12,13);">Colossians 3:12-13</a>).</p>
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<p>Note carefully; we do <b>not</b> produce these qualities by <b>our</b> capabilities. This fruit is <b>a work of God in us</b>: <i>"the fruit <b>of the Spirit</b> is love, joy, peace, longsuffering…."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">O Lord, my hope and my sufficiency, I readily confess that at times I am unloving, joyless, strife-torn, or impatient. Lord Jesus, I want to abide in You. Please work in me by Your Holy Spirit. Bring forth this beautiful spiritual fruit of Christlikeness in my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/02/0211.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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