Sisters In True Unity

The Spirit-fueled development of Christ-like character is liberating, because it brings us closer to being the people we were designed to be, the people our Spirit-renewed hearts want us to be. – Tim Keller

The Fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities make up the Fruit. There are not nine different fruits—it is a nine-part Fruit.The Fruit is like an orange, and inside the orange, there are numerous slices. So, imagine that each slice of the orange is one of the aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The original Greek word for “Fruit” in Galatians 5 is karpos, and one definition means “a result of something.” When the Fruit of the Spirit is displayed in our lives, it is a sign, or result, that we are being led by the Spirit of God. Just like the branches of a grapevine have to be connected to the vine in order to bear grapes, the Fruit of the Spirit is evidence of being connected to Christ.

Why was the Fruit of the Spirit even mentioned? Because of the five verses preceding it. They mention sinful acts including sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, and drunkenness. You see, we have this thing called the flesh, and it is all of our human desires. Our flesh wants things that prevent God’s Holy Spirit from leading us fully. In fact, Galatians 5:17 says, “the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.”Bottom line: you can be led by the flesh, or you can be led by the Spirit of God, but you can’t be led by both—they are in constant conflict.

God, create in me a clean heart. Reveal to me anything in me that is displeasing to You. Show me any areas where I might need to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse me, and help me honor You with the way I live.

In Jesus’ name, amen. 💜

THE RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED

Have you noticed how easily offended our society has become? It’s embarrassing really. Seemingly overnight we’ve become an over-sensitive, finger pointing society who whines about everything. We’ve lost the ability to turn the other cheek and instead feel the need to personally right every perceived wrong committed against us. I can’t throw many stones since I’m offended by how easily everyone else is offended. Oh, the irony! But what would happen if I gave up my right to be offended? What would happen if everyone gave up their right to be offended?

It didn’t take long before I was able to put this newfound idea into practice when someone, you guessed it, offended me. Everything within me wanted to lash out and vindicate myself, but then I remembered… “give up your right to be offended.” This was hard! But I took my complaint to God and said, “I’m going to give up my right to be offended and I ask You to be my defender.” Then I went on with my day. I even forgot why I was upset because I wasn’t rehearsing the event over and over in my mind and adding fuel to the fire. When I gave up my right to be offended, in return, God gave me His peace as I trusted Him to be the defense of my life.

The Bible clearly states that if you are a child of God, then He is your defender. We honor Him when we trust Him. I’m so thankful that Jesus modeled this for us. What if He hadn’t given up this “right” as He hung on the cross for our behalf? If anyone had the right to be offended it was Him. He was completely innocent but was treated as if He were the worst criminal in the world. He had the power to unleash His fury at any moment and vindicate Himself but in complete submission, He humbled Himself and trusted God the Father’s plan. He was obedient, even to death on a cross. The wages of sin are death so staying on the cross was necessary for Jesus to be able to die on our behalf so that we may live. Because of His sacrifice and His unwavering trust in God the Father, He conquered death and offers eternal life to all who look to Him to be saved. What a wonderful (and successful) choice to give up His right to be offended and trust the Father’s plan.

CONSIDER THIS:
Being offended doesn’t make you right. 💜