Fruit of Gods Spirit in our lives, what a wonderful concept. That fruit is not the little things we can do for Him or in His name, that fruit is the development of His character in us. more of Jesus, less of me...
It doesn't matter what our strong or weak points are, but it matters what His Holy Spirit wants to produce in us, and that is truly beautiful: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Let's take a look at kindness, which in the Greek language is chrēstotēs. When researching the Bible we can find out that this is not our every-day kindness, the nodding to our neighbor or the friendly word to our co-worker. That sort of kindness is great and definitely to be praised, but the kindness that God wants to bring forth in our lives is kindness of a different order...
It is the kindness the apostle Paul writes about in 1 Corinthians 4:12-13, We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly... Kindness when being slandered? You gotta be kidding, right?! Well, it surely gives us a great exercise for this week: Do I allow the Holy Spirit to work through me or am I always going ahead of Him?
Supernatural kindness, that goes against all political correctness. That is being kind when we do not feel like it, that is kindness when we do not want to give it. Jesus explains it like this: But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35).
Ouch and ouch again... being kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Now, that is only possible with the help of the Holy Spirit!
A HUGE ask Marja and indeed not something one can just 'do'. I struggle with that at times, especially when the person themselves shuns such attention.
ReplyDeleteHow often have we shunned God I wonder... well, food for though Anita, for sure. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteKindness to the ungrateful - this is something I needed to be reminded of today. Trusting that the Lord is bringing forth good fruit in our lives. Thank you, Marja, for this timely and encouraging reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteKindness to the ungrateful... that is beyond my understanding, that is grace to the max :) Thanks for your visit Karen, always happy to see you pop in.
DeleteThis is challenging and insightful, Marja. Clearly, it's nothing that can be manufactured in one's own strength. Abide in the vine, and then comes the fruit. It makes me think of Jesus' teaching about abiding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit!
Abide in the vine... I like that. Thanks for adding your input Rhonda, appreciate it!
DeleteMarja: "Kindness when being slandered? " goes against human nature. We want to lash back at the person who has wounded us. But, with the Holy Spirit watching over us, we can display kindness, even when we are hurting.
ReplyDeleteThat is true Cecelia, we cannot do it without His help, that would be very difficult thing.
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