I really enjoyed our minister’s sermon yesterday on the
fruits of the Spirit.
I’ve known of several people over the years that have been
referred to as a “spiritual” person. These weren’t necessarily references that
meant the person was a believer. I never really know what people mean by that….
does it mean thoughtful, or that they were very kind, that they were deep
thinkers?
Well those 9 fruits of the Spirit that Paul wrote about in
Galatians really tell the story.
“…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such
things there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23 CSB)
I suppose that a person
can exhibit these traits without being a believer if they really work at it…
but they aren’t really things that come naturally. “Me first” is what seems to
come naturally.
Our minister’s point was
that if we want to live a life that produces these fruits on a daily, consistent
basis then we need to be “connected” to Christ. That was my favorite part of
the sermon- John’s record of Jesus teaching about the vine and the branches,
because it is so meaningful and true.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who
remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing
without Me. (John 15:5 CSB)
How can we produce fruit without being connected to the vine?
How can GOD use us if we aren’t connected to Christ?
If you want to be a person that shows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness,
self-control to others on a daily basis then let GOD’s
Holy Spirit be your guide
Staying connected is especially important in this weird new
way of living in isolation.
I know there are lots of good uses of modern technology, but
I’m especially thankful to GOD now for the way we can stay connected to each
other through various electronic formats. Last evening having our Sunday "Prime Time Class" fellowship and prayer via ZOOM was so comforting. I loved being able to see and
hear so many class members at the same time on right there on my computer.
Staying connected to Christ doesn’t require a computer or a
smart phone though. Staying connected to Christ requires daily Bible reading
and prayer.
Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them
around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find
favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on
your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you
on the right paths. (Pro 3:3-6 CSB)
Stay connected and be blessed,
Paul.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSkBtLgVEO4
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Used by Permission HCSB ©1999,2000,2002,2003,2009 Holman Bible Publishers. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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