In Psalm 1, the blessed man is compared to a tree planted by the streams of water and yielding its fruit in its season. The leaves of the tree do not wither. Everything the man does prospers.
Since the streams of living water refer to the Holy Spirit (John 7:38,39), it is no stretch to say that the fruit that the blessed man bears is the fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 -- namely, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
What is love? Love is meeting the needs of our brothers and sisters. When someone is hungry, the right act of love is to feed him. When someone is thirsty, to love is to provide a drink. How do we then love God, who has everything and lacks none? Jesus said that whatever you do to the least of the brothers is the same as doing it to Him (Matthew 25:40). We show our love of God, by obeying His command to love our neighbors, our brothers and sisters and providing for them.
What is joy? I think joy comes from experiencing the presence of the Lord and witnessing His wonderful works. Joy leads to praises, singing, and shouting to proclaim how great our God is and how wonderful His works are.
What is peace? Peace comes from restoration of the relationship between God and us. We were estranged by our sin, but have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1-11). Peace with other men and women is also possible, when they are likewise reconciled with God. God's children are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and must act as agents of reconciliation (II Corinthians 5:18,19).
What is patience? Patience is long-suffering, when one is wronged unjustly. Instead of thinking of revenge, we must acknowledge that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19). I think of David's patience with Shimei, who cursed him on the day he was fleeing from his son Absalom. David said, "It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the curse I am receiving today." (II Samuel 16:12)
What is kindness? Kindness is the next step after patience, when one is wronged unjustly. Kindness is also translated as mercy. Kindness involves forgiveness. We have been beneficiaries of God's immeasurable love and forgiveness. It is only right that we should also be forgiving to our fellow men.
What is goodness? Goodness takes one step further after kindness. We are not only forgiving, but also actively seeking to do a good deed for our fellow men. Our good deeds must shine before men, so that they may see the good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
What is faithfulness? Faithfulness is to persist in goodness. It is not good enough to do a good deed once, and then revert to our sinful nature. We must continue to abide in the word of the Lord. Moses was a faithful servant, while Jesus is a faithful Son in the house of the Lord (Hebrews 3:5,6).
What is gentleness? Jesus said that He is gentle and humble (Matthew 11:29). Jesus is so gentle that "a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory" (Matthew 12:20, Isaiah 42:3). He deals with us, as if we are a bruised reed and a smoldering wick, a little infant that can be harmed so easily. We need to take the same gentle care, in our dealings with our fellow brothers, especially those who are weaker than we. Paul admonishes us to "accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). Paul would willingly curtail his own freedom, so that the weak in faith would not stumble (I Corinthians 8:9-13).
What is self-control? Being gentle with those who are weak(er) in faith does not imply that we should act with indulgence. Even though we have been made righteous undeservingly, independent of any good deeds we performed, this does not mean that we can go on sinning as it pleases us. Romans 6 clearly states that we died to sin. We need to confront sin and fight it, relying not on our own might, but on Him who has already achieved victory -- our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, I pray that you will fill me with the character of the Holy Spirit, so that I may bear the fruit of the Spirit each day. I want to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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i used to think in strict terms like that, where a word can only mean a certain thing. but maybe letting terms go a little looser, to encompass more.. allows for greater happiness. and when you're happy, how can God not be happy with your happiness... i mean, given that it's not happiness that insults God. maybe you disagree.. but i just think that if we are given free will, then it is in direct relationship with how much responsibility we have, as well as how much happiness we can have. that's a lot of happiness/(joy).
ReplyDeleteYou have a point.
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