Christian principles #3 Christian attributes

  Christian Principles #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.

Against such there is no law

  Against such there is no law

In the book of Galatians we read,

“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."Galatians 5:19-23 

Here we see defined the sinful nature and the Fruit of the Spirit. It is given to us so that we as true Christians. As true followers of Christ Jesus can tell right from wrong. It is in effect a black and white template for us to judge what is right and wrong.

Here’s a checklist for those who claim to be true followers of Jesus,

The fruit of the Spirit is,

Love 

Joy

Peace, 

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness, 

Faithfulness,

Gentleness,

Self-control.

And as the writer points out there is no law against showing these attributes.

Are you showing the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit?

Please think about it.

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.

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.

Do it in world and in deed

  Do it in word and in deed

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

Question. Do you treat others the way you want to be treated? Even if you disagree with them?

Sadly many people in the world today do not treat people the way they want others to treat them.

Anne Frank a young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis in world war two wrote,

"Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don't lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!" Anne Frank.

Sadly Anne Frank died in a Nazi concentration camp at the hands of evil men and women who knew nothing of the Love of God.

Today without exception, in every country in the world, there are people, (some even saying they are doing things in the name of God), that are treating people in horrible ways. Ways they would never want to be treated.

Let we who consider ourselves Christians, followers of Christ Jesus follow what Jesus said,

"So in everything, 

do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" 

                                                            Matthew 7:12.

Please don’t just think about it. 

Do it, in word and in deed.

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.

Will He be able to say

  Will He be able to say

The Apostle John writes,

"The elder, 

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  

It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.  

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you.  

They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.  3 John 1-6.

Here the apostle John commends Gaius for continuing to walk in the truth. He states, 

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Question;

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus. If Christ were to appear to you today would He be able to say He is joyful that you are walking in the truth?

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.

Start by doing

 Start by doing

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus even went one step further saying,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,..."Matthew 5:43,44.

Looking around the world today love seems to be lacking. Wars, social unrest, terrorist attacks. Love just seems to be lacking. Even some politicians in the western democracies appear to lack love.

So what should a Christians do in such a world? Answer,... Love.

As the great evangelist JohnWesley said,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                               John Wesley.

Creating a better world is not impossible if we try. All it take is the will to do so. Francis of Assisi wrote,

"Start by doing what is necessary, 

then what is possible, 

and suddenly you are doing the impossible." 

                                                           Francis of Assisi

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.

They may not be Christian

  They may not be a Christian

Jesus said,

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23.

Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians

you are not like him.” 

                            Mahatma Gandhi.

I think like many people today Gandhi met many people claiming to be Christian who are not. Men and women who will one day hear the words of Jesus saying,

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers”

                                                                         Matthew 7:23b.

Especially now since the pandemic hit here in North America we are seeing people who claim to be Christians who are not. Men and women who are bashing people over the head with the bible yet fail to follow what is in it.

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 that if a person is not exhibiting the fruit of the spirit there is a good chance that they are not Christian at all. 

Jesus when asked,

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:36-40.

Again if a person is not exhibiting love for God and ones neighbour I firmly believe he or she is not a Christian. 

What do you think?

Please think about it.

An Instrument

  An Instrument

Jesus said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

As Christians we must remember these words of Jesus. Jesus came to save the world not condemn it. Jesus came to show the Love of God to all mankind. Thus as Christians, as servants of God we must remember we are to love unconditionally. 

For me our actions as believers in Christ Jesus is summed up in the words of Francis of Assisi who said,

“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.

If we as believers follow this advice from Francis of Assisi people will see our love not only for God, but for them. Making it possible for us to win souls for Christ.

Please think about it.

Reflected in your deeds

Reflected in your deeds
The apostle Paul defending himself before King Agrippa made this statement with respect to the task Jesus had given him on the road to Damascus. He said,
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  
First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  Acts 26:19,20.
What is interesting here to me is the last statement,
“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds” Acts 26:20b
What Paul is saying true conversion is shown in a persons deeds.
If a person is truly following Christ then their life and lifestyle will show it. A believer in Christ Jesus should never have to tell someone they are a Christian. It should be evident in the life they live. Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                       Francis of Assisi.

A Christian life should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit the apostle Paul stating,
“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.
Thus to anyone who considers themselves a Christian I would ask; are the fruits of the spirit exhibited in your life?
Do people know you are a Christian without you telling them?
Is your repentance from sin, and your commitment to Christ Jesus, reflected in your deeds?
Please think about it.

By this

By this
Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34,35.
Here is a clear statement from Jesus about how people will know we are his disciples. If we love one another. Plane and simple.
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. 
These are characteristics of a true believer in Christ Jesus. So here is a simple question to anyone who would call themselves a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus; are these fruits evident in your life?
Please think about it.

Give Thanks

Give Thanks
The Psalmist wrote,

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 

Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." 

                                                                                           Psalm 118:1-4.

I you consider yourself a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Why not take time right now to thank God for his love toward you.
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.