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Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
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God created such an amazing world. Walking with a friend this week, right after we saw a blue heron and a thirteen foot long alligator, I stopped and looked at a banana tree. I’m sure I have seen them before at a distance but never up close. At first I saw the blossom and thought the fruit might have been contained inside it. Then my friend pointed above the blossom at two rings of bananas. I’ve been eating bananas for years, but I never knew how they grow.
When the Holy Spirit lives inside us we, too, produce fruit. Paul lists nine different qualities which the Spirit produces in us: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If someone examined our lives today, could they tell what “kind of tree” we are? How hard would they have to look to find these qualities in us?
This isn’t the only list in the chapter. By contrast, Paul also points out the acts of the flesh (5:19-21). Imagine my surprise if I looked at the tree and saw an alligator growing in it. It would be out of place. So also are the acts of the flesh in a person who has the Holy Spirit. Before and after the lists, Paul explains that as believers we walk by the Spirit, are led by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit. Do we have the Holy Spirit living in us? If we do, somebody will see it. By our fruit they will know us. Let it be the fruit of the Spirit!
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Pray with me:
Father, we thank you for creating banana trees to grow bananas. Thank you also for giving us new birth through the power of your Holy Spirit. Reproduce the character of Christ in us today we pray. Let your light shine in us so that others see our good works and glorify you our Father in heaven. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 5:19-20
Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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