Wednesday, July 10, 2013

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 9)

Galatians 5:22 reads "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace..."  Peace has been called love's confidence.  When we have God's love in our hearts, then the confidence that flows from this absolute love is the peace of God.  The Hebrew word for peace is "shalom", meaning rest, unity, completeness, good health, or to be whole.  The Greek word is "eirene", also meaning rest, quietness, prosperity, and an inward state of rest even when the outward circumstances may be stressful.  In Mark 4:35-41, Jesus was sleeping at peace in a boat, while His disciples were experiencing the opposite of peace, while in a overwhelming storm.   Why could Jesus be in complete rest and peace?  Because His confidence rested firmly on His Heavenly Father.  Peace is more than just the absence of fear, Jesus Christ is the very definition and Giver of peace.  His name is "Prince of Peace" (Is. 9:6).  In John 14:27, He states, "My peace I give you..."  So just like joy, real peace come only through a relationship with Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This supernatural state of being was lived out not only in the perfect life of Jesus, but also in the imperfect life of the Deacon Stephen (Acts. 7:54-69).  As he preached God's Word, the religious crowd began to rise up against him to kill him.  While Stephen's physical world was beginning to come to an end, his inward peace began to radiate.  His words were not coated in fear and hate, but displayed his peace with God (56), his peace with man (59), and a peace with his soul (59).  And as the rocks beat upon his body, Scripture describes his death with these words, "he fell asleep."  This life of peace is truly a gift from God.  When any person carries within their soul this quality, then it is a sure fact that they will live a less stressed life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.   

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 8)

As we continue to look at what true joy looks like, we must ask ourselves "How is true joy develped in the life of a human being?"  First, true joy only begins when Christ is invited to take over one's life completely.  Joy is an overflow of real, saving faith.  Jesus stated about Abraham, "Abraham saw My day (faith) and rejoiced."  Second, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy, and this joy can only be cultivated when we allow the Spirit of God to work in our life rather than quench Him (Acts. 13:52;Rom. 14:17).  Third, true joy is only tested and developed through suffering.  This statement may sound foolish, but when you read the book of Philippians, the life of Jesus, and even James 1:2 - "Consider it all joy when you fall into all sort of temptation and trials...", we clearly see that if God gave a Christian a life of complete ease on this earth, then we would not be able to understand what true joy truely looks like.  Fourth, true joy flows out of a committed prayer life (John 16:23-24).  And last, true joy is only experienced as we walk with Christ (John 16:20-22).  The prophet Habakkuk summed up real joy when he stated, "Even though nothing is going right and  life seems to be falling apart, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!" (Hab. 3:17-18)  Until next time, let the joy of the Lord be your strength, as you walk closely with Him.