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.

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.

If you

  If you

The apostle Peter writes,

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 

Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2Peter 1:3-11.

The Apostle Peter tells us plainly,

The ways of the world are filled with desires that quite often run contrary to what God wants for us. 

He is telling us that through Christ we have everything we need for life and godliness. That he has given us “his very great and precious promises. That we may “escape the corruption of this world”.

Peter then tells the believer,

“...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

He notes,  

“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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.

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.

Not all

Not all
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.
The other day I found a couple of interesting quotes. One from Lenny Bruce said,

“Every day people are straying away from the church

 and going back to God. Really.” 

                                      Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."

The other is from an unknown author it states,

I believe in God; I just don't trust anyone who works for him.”

                                                                               Author Unknown

I have met many people who truly believe in God but are turned off by the people who supposedly serve Him. It’s sad but there are many claiming to be Christians who are not. 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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.
The apostle Peter states,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”2 Peter 2:1-3.
Sadly there are many in the world today claiming to be Christians who are not. They have twisted the scriptures to say what they want it to say. They have wandered far from the principles of God. What is worse in many such people have in many cases become the face of the church.
Sadly true Christians for a myriad of reasons have not stood up to them. They have not followed the teaching of the apostle Paul who tells true believers in Christ Jesus,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Paul also tells us what the characteristics of a true believer in Christ Jesus will exhibit when he states,
“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 think I can honestly say that if these attributes are not being shown by anyone claiming to be Christian, they may be Christian in word only. Christ may not be active in their life at all.
Please think about it.  

At Peace with Others

At Peace with others
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Question, do you? If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing your best to live at peace with everyone?
If you are not. You should be. It’s not only the apostle Paul that tells us to live at peace with everyone. 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.
Notice the writer of Hebrews tells us to not only make every effort to live in peace with all men, but to do our best to be holy.
If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus you should be exhibiting the fruits of the spirit. The apostle Paul telling 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.” Gal 5:22,23.
Are these truly the fruits you exhibit in your life to those around you?
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.