Do they see it?

  Do they see it?

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

                                                                                                      Ephesians 4:1.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you live a life worthy of Him?

When people see your life do they see the fruit of the spirit?

The fruit of the spirit being listed in the book of Galatians as,

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness...

self-control.... 

Galatians 5:22.

Do people see these fruits in your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

The fruit of a Christian life

  The Fruit of a Christian life

In the book of Galatians we read,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22,23.

Look carefully at this list,

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness

 and 

self-control

Are these the attributes that people see when they look at your life?

If you follow a pastor, evangelist, philosopher, or even a politician. Do these people exhibit these characteristics? If not you should not be following them. It’s that simple.

Those Characteristics listed above are those of a Christian man and woman. Something God wants all of us to exhibit.

Thus the question becomes; Do you exhibit these characteristics?

Think about it. 

Christian fruit

 Christian fruit,

In the book of Galatians we read,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” Galatians 5:22,23.

These are Christian attributes. They are what we as Christians should be showing to the world.

If we are doing so people will be attracted to us. Which give us an opportunity to see share our faith with them.

When people look at your life do they see these attributes?

Please think about it.

Clothe yourself

  Clothe yourself

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14.

Is the above a description of what you do? When people look at your life do they see compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love?

Do you forgive others any wrongs they have done to you. In the way the Lord did you? Do you forgive others unconditionally which is the way God forgave you?

Take a little time to pray and ask God to show you if you are truly doing what the apostle Paul is telling believers in Jesus to do.

Please think about it.

Attributes of a Christian

  Attributes of a Christian

The apostle Paul tells what the fruit of the Spirit of Christ within someone is when he writes,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.

If you consider yourself a Christian. Someone who claims to have the Spirit of Christ. Then people should see these attributes in your life. 

When people see you life do they see,

                                                   love, 

                                                                   joy, 

                                                                   peace, 

                                                                   patience, 

                                                                   kindness, 

                                                                   goodness,

                                                                   faithfulness,  

                                                                   gentleness 

                                                                   self-control

Please think about it.

Your Attributes

  Your attributes 

The apostle Paul writes,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.

Question; If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Do people see the fruits of the spirit the apostle Paul notes above?

Please think about it.

Attributes

  Attributes

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.

Read carefully what the apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians. These are key attributes of a Christian. These are attributes of Jesus that should be seen in our lives every day.

So the question becomes; 

Are people seeing these attributes in your life?

Please think about it.

Transformation

  Transformation

In the book of Romans the apostle Paul writes,

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1,2.

If we truly accept Jesus into our lives a transformation begins. The speed of the transformation varies in each individual. However be it slow or quick a true believer in Christ will change. They will begin to exhibit what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirit,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control.... Against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22,23.

Exhibiting such fruits will become second nature to them. This I believe is one way you can tell a true Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus.

When people look at your life what do they see?

Please think about it.

 Known by

The apostle Paul writes,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.

The apostle Paul makes it clear how people will know we are true believers in Christ Jesus. Showing the fruits of the spirit is one of those ways.

Too many non-believers today in North America know Christians for what they are against. Rather than what they are for. 

The reason is simple they have gone their own way. They have let secularism seep into their belief system. They demonstrate against anything or anyone that opposes them.

This is not what Jesus and the disciples did. They didn’t protest against Rome or the religious leaders of their day.

Instead they kept to the script so to speak. They presented the Love of God that comes through Christ Jesus. They presented the Grace of God and Salvation that comes through Christ Jesus. And they did it in a loving peaceful way. They exhibited the fruits of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control. 

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Your Fruit

 Your fruit

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But the fruit of the Spirit is 

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

Against such things there is no law.” 

                                                                        Galatians 5:22,23.

Take a moment to look at your life. Are you exhibiting the fruits of the spirit the apostle Paul mentions here?

The apostle Peter wrote,

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:12.

If you are exhibiting the fruits of the spirit, then you will find yourself living a good life and those around you will see that.

Thus I ask you the question again; Are you exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit the apostle Paul is speaking about in Galatians 5:22,23?

Please think about it.

What's a Christian to do?

 What’s a Christian to do?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17.

So what is a Christian to do? The apostle Paul makes it clear we are to,

Clothe ourselves with 

Compassion

kindness

humility

gentleness

patience.

We are to, forgive whatever grievances we have against one another.

We are to,

love

let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

We are 

to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.

To admonish one another with all wisdom.

To sing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs

We are to do all this with gratitude in our hearts.

AND we whatever we do in word or deed we must do it in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.

So my question is, Do you do this?

Please think about it.

True Christians

True Christians
In the book of Hebrews we read,
"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18.
Christianity has a bad reputation in many circles. Throughout history men and women calling themselves Christians have not lived at peace with those around them. They have been responsible for the crusades, the Spanish inquisition, slavery and more.
Even in our day and time men and women calling themselves Christians are seen by some as uncaring bigots who do not live up to the ideals of Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                                 Mahatma Gandhi.

Sadly he is right. Many calling themselves Christians are not like Jesus. If we are following the teachings of Jesus and the apostles we should be living at peace with those around us.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
I believe those exhibiting these fruits are true Christians. Are true followers of Christ Jesus. Those who are not, are not true Christians. It’s that simple.
Please think about it.

Christians Clothe Yourselves

Christians Clothe Yourselves.
The apostle Paul writing to the Colossians said,
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience....  
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12,17
To the Galatians Paul writes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion, these are traits of a true believer in Christ Jesus.
While a Christian believes the words of the apostle Paul when he states,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
The Christian should not see the sinner as such. As a believer in Christ Jesus we should see a soul in need of the Love of God.
As Christians we are not allowed to judge anyone outside the church. Especially with regards to where they are to spend eternity.
The whole purpose of the gospel of Christ is to show a person the way to heaven. We can only do that if we practice the fruits of the spirit. If we are humble enough to sit down with those we may or may not agree with and present what we believe is the way to heaven.
This is what Jesus and the apostles did. We only have to look at Paul’s sermon in the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:17-34.
At no time did Paul call his audience sinners. Instead he met them where they were at and presented the gospel message to them. The results being, some rejected what he said, some believed and others wanted to hear more.
Paul on that day showed attributes Christ wants us to show when we present the gospel to others today.
  Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion. These are the attributes we should be showing to the world everyday. If we are not then we will not reach people for Christ.
Thus my Question to you.
When people see you do they see a person who exhibits Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion.
Please think about it.

Are these qualities?

Are these qualities?
The writer of Proverbs states,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3,4.
The apostle Peter writes,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
The above quotes are not suggestions for a Christians to follow. They are things we as believers in Christ Jesus must do.
The apostle Paul tells us the kind of things believers in Christ should be exhibiting in their personal lives when he writes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
These qualities should be seen in a believers life by those who are around them without them saying a word.
Thus my question, If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are these qualities that are exhibited in your life?
Please think about it. 

These are Christian Traits

These are Christian Traits
The apostle Paul writes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
If you consider your self a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are the above traits exhibited in your life?
As Christians we need to live our lives differently. We should not be following the ways of the world. Rather we should be exhibiting the fruits of the spirit,

Love,

Joy,

Peace,

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

Gentleness,

Self-control.

If these fruits are in our life the world will be attracted to us. If they are not the world will dismiss us as nothing special. Nothing of importance.
Francis of Assisi wrote something every believer in Christ Jesus needs to consider. He wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                               Francis of Assisi.

What Francis is saying here can be done by anyone. The key is we must want to do it. Thus my questions becomes,
Are the fruits of the spirit active in your life?
Are you showing unconditional Love and Mercy to all whom you come in contact with?
Are you truly an instrument of God’s Peace?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles for living #3 Christian attributes,

Christian Principles for living #3 Christian attributes
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
Here is a simple test for anyone calling themselves a believer in Christ Jesus. Now keep in mind believers in Christ are far from perfect. We are all human with human frailties and failings.
That being said however as believers in Christ we should be striving to be Christ like. We should be trying to make the fruits of the spirit part of our daily life.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

If our lives are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, the sermon people will see in us is the Love of Jesus.
Question: When people see your life do they truly see the fruit of the Spirit of God?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles for living #3

Christian Principles for living #3
Christian attributes
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
Here is a simple test for anyone calling themselves a believer in Christ Jesus. Now keep in mind believers in Christ are far from perfect. We are all human with human frailties and failings.
That being said however as believers in Christ we should be striving to be Christ like. We should be trying to make the fruits of the spirit part of our daily life.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

If our lives are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, the sermon people will see in us is the Love of Jesus.
Question: When people see your life do they truly see the fruit of the Spirit of God?
Please think about it.

Christian Lifestyle

Christian lifestyle,
The Apostle Paul writes,
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:18-25.
Do you exhibit the fruits of the Spirit?
A friend told me of a woman who was a member of the Salvation army. This was decades ago in Europe. She would wander into bars in her uniform take off her cap and go around the patrons asking for donations. She never condemned them for their drinking or being in a bar. She never preached a sermon. She never verbally asked for money. She simply took off her cap and moved from patron to patron.
Everyone in that bar however knew what the uniform, and she stood for and they respected her.
One day apparently there was a big burley sailor who entered the bar. Someone not familiar with her. He stood in front of her and said a few choice and very vulgar words to her, trying to intimidate her. Still she stood her ground.
The bar according to my friend became very quiet. The man looked around and could see every eye was on him. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a large bill, put it into her hat and left. To the shouts of delight of the other patrons.
The woman paused, waited for the noise to die down and said something to the effect. “That man is loved by God. As are you all. I shall pray for him as I do for you all each day. That you may accept Christ as your saviour.”
My friend although not a Christian remembered that encounter as if it were yesterday.
When he told me the story I thought of how she showed the love of Jesus. I remembered the words of Paul who said,
“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”
In doing what she did she exhibited these attributes of the spirit as should we all who claim to be believers in Christ.
That woman planted a seed in my friends heart. I had the good fortune of being able to water that seed when he told me about her. To tell him about the Love of God, the Love of Jesus.
All because of this nameless woman who years before had exhibited the fruits of the spirit in front of my friend.
I’m sure that woman never consciously realized my friend was watching, but he was. The fact is if you claim to be a believer in Christ those around you are watching.
Francis of Assisi once wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Attributes

Attributes
The apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus states,
“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."Galatians 5:19-25.
Put briefly the apostle Paul defines the attributes of a Christian life. He states,

“...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  

gentleness and self-control....”

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are these the attributes those around you see?
Please think carefully about it.

Christian Principles for living #3 Christian Attributes

Christian Principles for living #3 Christian attributes
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22,23.
Here is a simple test for anyone calling themselves a believer in Christ Jesus. Now keep in mind believers in Christ are far from perfect. We are all human with human frailties and failings.
That being said however as believers in Christ we should be striving to be Christ like. We should be trying to make the fruits of the spirit part of our daily life.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

If our lives are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, the sermon people will see in us is the Love of Jesus.
Question: When people see your life do they truly see the fruit of the Spirit of God?
Please think about it.