Fruit of the Spirit, 8of9

~ “A Bull In A China Shop” or Christ-Like? ~

 

Overview Scripture  ~  “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:8-11).    

 

Series Scripture  ~  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-25).  It is important to note that while this passage lists nine fruits of the Spirit it is not a complete list—which includes “all goodness, righteousness, and truth” as seen above in Ephesians 5.

 

Comment  ~  The beatitudes in Chapter 5 of Matthew’s Gospel are a great place to examine the God-honoring Christian life.  Gentleness is sometimes associated with the term meekness.  The Biblical concept of meekness is not weakness but rather strength under control. 

 

Natural Man  ~  Are you only exhibiting a gentle nature to those whom you like? 

“Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?  Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect [complete], just as your Father in heaven is perfect [complete]’” (Matthew 5:43-48).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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