The Fruit of The Spirit, Our relationship with God. Christians are crying out for help in this, the end of times, are we ready to accept our responsibility? We have to know whom we are in God, explaining this to Christians sometimes offers some difficulties in belief but persistence pays off. The following are questions most asked by younger and sometimes older Christians, lets take a look. How does God accept me? Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
We are Jews inwardly; we have the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father. Many Christians don’t understand their place with God. For us to be accepted by God as Children, we had to have been reborn into the family of God by His seed. Now since we have been reborn, we are entitled to all that our Father has to offer, all we have to do is accept our place in Him. What is the fruit of the spirit? Eph 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
This is the fruit of the spirit, but what about the manifestation of the spirit with in and outwardly, who is entitled? 1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Why aren’t prayers answered? Jam 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Jam 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Jam 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jam 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? How can prayers be answered?
Jam 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jam 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
What if my prayers are still not answered, what could be wrong? Jam 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jam 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Jam 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
James 4: 10 &11 are a big factor in unanswered prayers, attitude when we pray. Humbleness, praying in the will of God, to access His loveingkindness and mercy. Rules, rules to live by and to receive by. God has set down specific rules to be followed to receive from Him. A man once asked me, “Well you have stated the rules but what about the fruit of the spirit, what about love and understanding?” What he didn’t understand, the rules were the fruit of the spirit, without them there would be no receiving from God. We can’t act like the Devil six days a week and ask God for anything on Sunday.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Strong words of encouragement in 1 Cor 12:7, we are able to profit by the fruit of the spirit and it is a gift that is free.
“ These signs shall follow those that believe.”
Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.The problem today is that Christians are following the signs and not allowing the signs to follow them.
Listening to Christian problems, sometimes ends with surprising results, the following are letters and comment from Christians concerns over the lack of training in the weightier matters of the scripture, lets read them for a moment.
“Many of the recent sermons I’ve heard are typically a generalized hodge-podge of useless data that really says nothing. If you’re a new Christian, it might be great for "basics."
Christ said, that in the end days there would be a famine in the land, not for bread but for the word of God. People, as we approach the end, are hungry for answers to their most intimate questions; they are hungry for answers concerning everyday life and the ability to hang on to their faith in these times of war and hatred. Lets read the next letter. “Unfortunately, messages on God’s way of communicating with his people never advance beyond the elementary level. It’s only said that God speaks through His Bible and his preachers via the Bible. That’s it. No more.” Why aren’t Christians taught, that they can access God thru Jesus at any time, not only that but in times of afflictions and dieses, they can depend upon the Holy Ghost to help them in time of need. Its all true and its scripture. There are religions that have taught their congregations that only a priest can access God, this type of instruction brings about many difficulties in their lives and brings about discouragement and lack of faith in themselves. It’s like bringing back the dark ages, we are children of the light and its time we all came back into that light. Lets look again at what Christians are saying.
“It isn’t any wonder that Christians are frustrated on God’s will for their lives. They’re given a constant barrage, "God doesn’t do that anymore." Says who? Good question, who says that God doesn’t answer prayers anymore, who says that the fruit of the spirit isn’t there anymore and who has the nerve to say that the Gifts of the spirit were for someone else? Christians today, are frustrated, they are receiving so many doctrinal teachings, that aren’t in scripture, that when they hear the truth, they don’t accept or understand it. My best advice to many is, if it’s not in the Bible don’t teach it. Many doctrines are being taught that are actually contrary to scripture, which bring about confusion among many who already know the scripture. Many of the poor people that I’ve spoken to are concerned over being accepted in church, they worry about their cloths, appearance, monetary value and other concerns that sometimes keeps them from entering into church. But didn’t Christ tell us about judging the rich and poor separately? Lets read the following scripture and look within our hearts. Jam 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
Jam 2:3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Jam 2:4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Jam 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Jam 2:6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
How many churches do you know that fit this description and how many do you know that would have a hard time allowing Jesus Christ into their assembly ,dressed as The Good Shepard? Are we not ALL of one body and of one spirit under God? If we can’t go to Heaven, Hand in Hand, we wont be going. I’ve saved this comment for last, lets read. “Some 80-90 percent of life situations are claimed in the Bible, right? Not completely true. There’s loads of generalized information (some specifics) but what of this? Should I go into business? College for my child? Is this sickness unto death? Buy this house/car? Generalized "Trust in God" will abound but no specific Scriptures will answer. “Jam 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jam 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jam 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Christians are looking for and expect specific answers, the phrase, “Just trust in God.” Is no longer accepted by many. Faith is waning on this planet of ,hatred and war, more is needed to help survive. More is needed to help the low of faith to hold on. The children of Israel were afraid to hear the voice of God, the New Testament Children, desire to hear His voice.
Knowing how prayers are answered, is the biggest item form Christians today. They want God to be involved in their every day decisions. They are confused on how to achieve an intimate relationship with God. We all have relationships with our children, ball games, choices on school activities, colleges to attend, cars to buy, but what about their relationship with God and Jesus, cant we teach them how to pray in the will of God for all occasions and for all needs? I think we can and must start teaching. God wants a loving relationship with His children an more than that, an intimate relationship, this relationship is as close to God as we can get. To be one with the Father as Jesus intended us to be. Teach them how to be one with the Father, teach them how to pray in the will of God ,teach them the fruits of the spirit and teach them the Gifts & manifestation of the spirit. Give all that you’ve received freely and give them a new, powerful, intimate relationship with the Almighty God. Ars.
