Saturday, June 21, 2014

Food For the Mature, Part 1



THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
 
 
Ø    Love - is the source of this fruit, growing out of God’s Love for us.  This Love gives us
 
Ø    Joy - as we realize that because of God’s love our future is secure in the knowledge that God will never forsake us.  It also brings
 
Ø    Peace - as we understand that God is not at war with us and that we do not have to be at war with others.  This gives us new eyes with which to see God and our world.  That peace helps
 
Ø    Patience - to grow in us as we see God working to bring good out of even the worst things that happen in our lives.  As we learn to wait on God, the Spirit gives us
 
Ø    Kindness - as our hearts are replaced with the heart of God.  That heart allows us to love our enemies, forgive those who misuse us and act with
 
Ø    Goodness - towards others, as we understand that all people are people that God Loves.  This understanding helps us to be
 
Ø    Faithful - in our love for God and others and this will give us
 
Ø    Gentleness - in our dealings with others as we act and react, not out of self interest, but out of God’s interest.  All of these elements take effect in our lives through our exercise of
 
Ø    Self Control - Because we have been set free from slavery to sin and slavery to a law, through Christ’s death and resurrection, we are free to live our lives to show our love for God, to live into the image of God that the Spirit is working to restore.  As we have received this freedom, we finally have a choice.
 
Ø                                                                                by Steve Ranney

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