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Fruit of the Spirit

Fruit of the Spirit (Photo credit: Martin LaBar)

I am a Fraud with a capital F.

Let me tell you about the real ME.

I do not love the way I should, I have trouble keeping my thoughts in check and I have a problem with living inside the gates of joy and peace. My tongue is a lethal weapon.  I am not serene. I am not holy. I am not always kind or gentle or patient. I hurt my loved ones and others, probably, more times than I know.

Self-control?

Hah, Hah and Hah!

Can you hear those cookies calling my name?  How about the two (count them “2”) ice cream cartons residing in my refrigerator.

Or how about the evil one sliding in and out of my brain saying “See, I told you – nothing ever changes!”

But when I get it right and live GOD’S WAY…..

I give, produce, lead, carry, convey and generate the fruit of the Spirit.

I receive God’s gift.  I can be confident and assured that a God’s Holiness will soak, saturate and spread through my life and then penetrate into the lives of others.

When I welcome God’s Gifts, He enables me to extend generosity to others through compassion, affection and conviction.

Instead of forcing my will into other’s lives, I can direct God’s energy into the lives of others.

No more fraud just God’s Holy Harvest.

Galatians 5: 22-23 (MSG)

But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.