Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
God gave us many commandments, but the greatest one is love, Matthew 22:36-40. Now just how does one love with all their heart, especially in a world that seems to be filled with so much hate towards one another. How many times have you hated your persecutors, but yet call yourself a Christian.
If we are led by the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit. If we truly know God then we would know his love for us even in our own imperfections of the flesh as we allow his righteousness to perfect our spiritual inner man so we can be prepared to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10.
A sign of true faith is manifested in obedience to God’s perfect will of love that as Christ loved us and gave his life for us we should also have this same love in us for our neighbors that says Father forgive them for they know not what they do. Even through the persecutions Jesus was subjected to he never lost focus that he was in the Father’s will and what his purpose was here on earth.
Temperance is another fruit of love that we should know the mind of Christ that we will not conform to the ways of this world even though we have to live in it, but to restrain from the ways of this world as we crucify this flesh daily. If any one loves this world then the love of the Father is not in them, 1 John 2:15
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I know it is so easy to get into the flesh, especially when someone is lashing out at you and the flesh is quick to retaliate as even I get into the flesh at times when I take my focus off God’s will and I do believe God knows we will get into the flesh at times as we are not perfect, but do strive for that perfection that is in Christ. This is where God’s grace and mercy comes in as even though we mess up at times he is quick to forgive us as we need to be quick to forgive those who come against us and never hold a grudge.
Meekness shows patience and the trying of our faith that we may be perfect and entire wanting nothing, James 1:2-4. Gentleness, goodness and faith will always bring us into submission of the perfect will of God’s love, which is the greatest gift of all. Let us display this gift of love in our own lives so others will see the love of Christ shine through us.
1 John 2:15 (LEB)
Do Not Love the WorldDo not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,15Do Not Love the WorldDo not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him,
Matthew 22:36-40 (LEB)
“Teacher, which commandment is greatest in the law?”36“Teacher, which commandment is greatest in the law?”37And he said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’from Deut 6:537And he said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’from Deut 6:538This is the greatest and first commandment.38This is the greatest and first commandment.39And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’from Lev 19:1839And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’from Lev 19:1840On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”40On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
2 Corinthians 5:10 (LEB)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, in order that each one may receive back the things through the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, in order that each one may receive back the things through the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Galatians 5:22 (LEB)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
James 1:2-4 (LEB)
Trials, Testing, and FaithConsider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials,2Trials, Testing, and FaithConsider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials,3because youHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.3because youHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.