How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 16)

I and my family enjoy watching cooking shows on TV, especially the reality cooking shows.  After spending several years watching these shows, you start noticing familiar faces over and over on these shows.  A cook may come in as a rookie, but if they are any good, they will advance to a point in which they will be recognized as a "great chef."  What makes a person a great chef?  There are many answers to that question, but I believe one on the top answers is that chef who is now considered "great" has spent many years developing their skill and their recipes.  The longer the development, the better the food.  The same can be said about the spiritual gift of "goodness".  Goodness in the life of a person can only be perfected by time and experience.  Let us look at some of the ways goodness is developed in our lives. 

First, it is developed as we work in this world.  Matthew 5:16 states that as we work, those around us will, "see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven."  Second, it is developed as we warn and are warn by our brothers.  What I mean by this is that we are to "sharpen each other", as we grow as Christians.  True "goodness" looks out for the best of our brothers and sister, and sometimes it is best to say, "STOP!"  Third, goodness grows as we walk in God's righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9).  Fourth, when our prayer life and faith grow then it will positively affect the goodness within our heart toward God and others (2 Thess. 1:11).  Goodness does not grow overnight, it takes discipline to live and do right according to God's Word.  When we struggle to do good, and are tempted to do wrong, please remember the Apostle Paul's instruction, "always overcome evil with good." (Rom. 12:21).  Until next time, keep walking close with Christ. 

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 15)

Years ago, I read an article that interviewed people at work about their co-workers.  The key subject dealt with those co-workers who were always going out of their way to please others or do good around the workplace.  The conclusion of this article found that most coworkers did not like their peers constantly doing good around the work place.  The mentality of most came down to the following phrase, "Don't be a goody two-shoes!"  Yet when we come to Galatians 5:22-23, we see that the sixth fruit of the Spirit is "goodness" or "loves' quality". 

In the Old Testament the word for good is "tob" and it is first used by God in Genesis 1 & 2 to  describe "the good creation."  In the New Testament the word goodness is connected to the word "benevolence".  Goodness speaks of moral and spiritual excellence.  In Scripture, a person can not be considered "good" if separated in their relationship with God.  Since God is the standard for goodness (Ps. 100:5, Nah. 1:7, Ps. 23:6), only those who walk with the True and Living God are considered good.  Man is not naturally good, because sin defiled that good standing before God.  Man's goodness can only come from his relationship with God.  That is why we ought to be careful when making statement like, "They are good", or "They do a lot of good things", of people you do not know their spiritual condition.  In the eyes of God, there is no such thing as "good" unless that goodness flows from a personal relationship with God.  The prophet Isaiah makes this thought crystal clear when he writes, "All of our righteousness (goodness) is as filthy rags!"  Only those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ have God's power within to live a "good" life before Him.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.     

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 14)

What is the value of kindness?  Can you put a value on a world in which every person living is kind toward each other?  We realize that the world in which we live today is far from being universally kind toward each other, and this is a key symptom to the fact that the vast majority of people in this world do not have God's Holy Spirit living within them.  Galatians 5:22 clearly states that the true child of God will bear the fruit of kindness, an overflow of God's love working within our heart toward each other. 

I guess there are many examples of how we can be kind toward each other, but let me share four ways God's Word commands Christians to show our kindness in our world.  First, be gentle to pick up a fallen brother (Gal. 6:1).  None of us are perfect, so when we see others miss up in life, be gentle as you lift them up.  Second, be kind to bear each others burdens (Gal. 6:2-5; Matt. 11:30).  Third, be kind to build each other up (Gal. 6:6).  The world is full of put downs.  The church should be filled with people who long to make those around them stronger.  Last, your kindness is not a waste, what you reap you will sow (Gal. 6:7-10).  One of the greatest opportunities for us to show kindness in this world is when we choose to forgive those who have hurt us.  Kindness is not easy nor free (look at the cross of Christ), but kindness is always expected of Christians.  Until next time, keep walking closely with Christ. 

How to be a Fruity Christian (Part 13)

What is your favorite activity or past time?  I guess some of my dad's influence has rubbed off on me, seeing that I enjoy planting flowers, trees, and various other plants.  In my study, I found that there is a weird pastime connected with gardening that is called "guerrilla gardening".  The basics of guerrilla gardening include breaking into someone's backyard and planting vegetables, flowers, or trees in someone else's lawn.  The downside to this is that you could get shot if you are not careful.  The fifth fruit found listed in Galatians 5:22 is the fruit of "kindness".  Kindness is the ongoing activity of God's love.

In the Old Testament, the word for kindness is usually connected to God's nature and dealing with man.  Psalms 141:5 reminds us that since God is kind, we too are to be kind to one another.  When we move into the New Testament, the word kindness usually means useful, profitable, good, and gentle.  Kindness speaks of having tender concern for others, to treat others gently as Christ deals with us.  Kindness is not a sign of weakness, but rather controlled inner strength.  As one writer described kindness, "Patience will put up with all kinds of bad things from others, while kindness will do all kinds of good things for others."  True kindness is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Our flesh seeks to be harsh and brass (Rom. 3:10-12), but the Spirit wants us to be gentle, hands on!  If we seek to give kindness away, no matter the circumstance, then we will have a less stressed life.  Until next time, keep walking with Christ.     

How To Be a Fruity Christian (Part 12)

It is a safe assumption that those who have a very difficult time with patience also have a problem with stress in their life.  The key to victory over stress in our life is to cultivate a life of patience.  I have already shown in previous posts that a Christian has been given the Holy Spirit to help cultivate this area of patience, that we all desperately need.  I want to take a moment to look at Scripture to show four key areas in a Christians life that must be properly dealt with in order to develop a life of patience. 

First, there is a relationship between patience and forgiveness.  In Matthew 18:21-35, this parable teaches us that having patience/longsuffering is directly connected with our willingness to forgive those who have hurt us.  In turn, God's patience with us is in measure to how we react and forgive others.  Second, there is a relationship between patience and maturity.  Psalms 27:14 commands us to "Wait on the Lord..."  Isaiah 30:18 states, "Blessed are all who wait for Him..."  There is no such thing as "instant Christianity."  We are saved instantly, but all of us are walking through a slow process, learning how to live and act like Christ.  Third, there is a relationship between patience and perseverance.  Christians are called at times to wait through suffering (James 5:10).  We are all called to wait for Christ's second coming (2 Pt. 3:1-9).  Last, there is a connection between patience and prayer.  Romans 12:12 teaches us this truth.  If we discipline our lives in these four areas, then we will see our love and patience for God and others grow in our lives, and in turn we will have a less stressed life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ. 

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 11)

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience..." The next three characteristic (patience, kindness, goodness) that flow out of God's supernatural love, describe virtues that are truly needed in our relationship with other people.  Someone has said that patience is love's habit.  What is a habit?  A habit is an activity, action, or ritual that is done without deliberate thought.  The habit is strengthened through constant practice, routine, and discipline.  The word patience is not found in the Old Testament, but there are several words in Scripture that imply patience.  The most common word is the word "longsuffering", which literally means to be drawn out slowly.  God is described as a God who suffers long with His people (Ex. 34:6).  Another word is "forbear", meaning to pull back a bow and hold it in place.  Nehemiah 9:30 stated, "Many years God forbear with Israel..." In the New Testament we read the words "endurance" and "longsuffering" to mean patience.  Almost every time these words are used it is describing God's response toward His children and His world.    

In Galatians 5:22, the word patience is better translated "long suffering".  This word implies the strength to hold back, or to expel one's anger slowly, even in the midst of hurt or affliction.  Patience isn't just the ability to wait, it's the ability to keep a good attitude while you wait.  We all claim our need for more patience, and yet I have heard many Christians state that we should not ask for patience, because this opens up our lives to negative activity.  This mentality is faulty for a Christian.  That is like a farmer not praying for rain because he is afraid the weeds will grow faster.  The farmer needs the rain for his crops all the while dealing with the weeds.  If the fruit of the Spirit is patience, and if it is our desire as Christians to be like Christ, then shouldn't we long to see our lives mature in Godly patience during good and bad times?  Patience is a key virtue in the life of Jesus Christ.  Shouldn't we desire to be like Him?  No matter what comes our way in life, if we are walking close to Christ, He will give us the patience to overcome any obstacle, and as a result we will have a less stressed life.    

How to Be a Fruity Christian (Part 10)

As we continue our journey focusing on the fruit of the Spirit, I want to remind you how prominent God's peace should reign in a Christian's relationships.  There are three key relationships that each person is responsible for: Relationship with God, relationship with others, and relationship with yourself.    Before a human being can experience true peace, they must realize that true peace of heart, mind, body, and soul comes only from having a right relationship with God (Roman 5:1).  When God created Adam and Eve, their relationship with God was pure peace.  Yet when they chose to sin against God's perfect law, then human relationship with God became one of fear (Genesis 3:10).  Only when a person chooses Christ to be Lord and Savior of their life, will they be able to join with the Apostle Paul when he writes, "And the peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7)

The second relationship that cries out for peace is in our relationships with others.  God's children are called to be "peacemakers" (Matt. 5:9).  We are also called to take the "gospel of peace" to those who need to experience the peace of God.  Proverbs 16:7 say "When a man's ways please the Lord He makes his enemies to be at peace with him."  From God's Word we learn that when we are walking close with Christ, we are bringing God's peace into every human relationship we are in; even the difficult ones.  And last, the third relationship that longs for peace is the relationship each person has with themselves.  This may sound strange, but there are many of people we meet that may seem to have everything together, but deep inside they are at war.  Why do you think so many (Christians too) are killing themselves every day?  Col. 3:15-16 commands us to let God's peace rule our whole being.  True inward peace comes from following God's Word (Ps. 119:165), having a committed prayer life (Phil. 4:67), submitting to the Good Shepherd's leading (Ps. 23), and standing on God's unfailing promises.  True peace does not mean you and I will not have any problems in life, but in our problems and storms, hold dearly to God for refuge and strength.  Allow God's peace to be your guide, and you will have a less stressed life.  Until next time, keep walking close to Christ.