Yesterday we looked at the rich ruler who could not enter Heaven because he could not give up the things of this world and love the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, and mind. He had loving his neighbor down pat, probably because he wasn’t envious or jealous because he had everything he needed. But when Jesus asked him to give it all up and follow Him, he was saddened and couldn’t do it because he had so much.
Let’s look at what Jesus said was the second of the greatest commandment. Matthew 22:39 “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
I have known people in my life time who say they love God but would not speak to someone because they offended them. Come to think of it, there have been times in my life that I have been the same way! We can all fall into the trap of not walking in the Spirit and we need to be careful when we find ourselves in that trap because it leads only to destruction, pain, agony, etc. I have seen, through television ministries and personally how ministries have fallen away because someone did not show this type of love. Let’s look in Galatians and see what the Word says regarding this subject. First, let’s look at what a sinful nature is like,
Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; (20) idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, fractions 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.”
We can all say that we have fallen into one of those categories before. If not the first part or the last part, I am sure we have all, at sometime in our lives been a little jealous, thrown a temper tantrum, had our own selfish ambition first and foremost in our mind, had disagreements with others and were probably even a little envious at times. But do you notice, they are mixed in with a lot of other things that I would steer far away from. I believe that is there to show us that we are all alike in the sight of God. We have fallen short of the glory of God.
How do we know when something is of the Spirit or is our own fleshy desire? We can measure it by one fruit, the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 “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.”
I have been in situations where I had full intention to go into it with the fruit of the Spirit but instead my spirit was attacked and discord resulted. That is not part of the fruit of the Spirit and I was wrong when I brought “me” into the picture.
Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.”
Notice, if someone is caught in a sin, we need to help them, not shun them. When the adulterous woman was caught in her sin the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, judged her and sentenced her to death by stoning. But what did Jesus say about that?
John 8:6b-7 “But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Jesus was the only one there that could have thrown the stone but He chose to do something else instead.
John 8:10 “Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ No one, sir, she said, ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus said, ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”
Jesus recognized that she had sinned but He was gentle, kind, and patient. He showed love to this woman and gave her joy. He demonstrated self-control towards the Pharisees because He knew they were testing Him, wanting to accuse Him of something. Jesus demonstrated how we should act and react to situations in which we find ourselves wanting to love but not knowing how we can do it in our own strength.
Next time you believe you are in the right, be sure to go to Galatians and test your actions against the fruit of the Spirit. Remember the first part of the fruit that is mentioned is love, the core of the fruit.
In closing let’s all etch these verses in our hearts, that we may remember why we are called to love and the result of not loving.
I John 4:19-21 “We love because He first loved us. (20) If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (21) And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
As you seek Him and find Him today, search your own heart and see if there is any part of it that does not have love for your brothers and sisters in Christ. How about your enemies? How are you treating them? Test the fruit of the spirit, begin with the core, love and work outwardly to see if you are walking in the fruit of the spirit or are being influenced by the things of this world.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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