FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Parts 1 & 2

Part 1) Love:

Love must always be understood in the light of 1 Corinthians 13. What is interesting about the definition of true love, as found in 1 Corinthians 13 is that this definition is cushioned around the gifts of the Spirit that Paul speaks about in both 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. Isn’t that fascinating? There is something Paul is trying to bring to attention here and it does merits our attention. Love is the summation of all of the gifts. Without love, none of the Fruit of the Spirit can exist. Furthermore, YHVH is love. YHVH is not “like love” or “one of His features is love,” but YHVH is love. (1 John 4:19) True love is only grown and achieved through Elohim and is not independent of Him. The beautiful Scripture in 1 Corinthians 13 isn’t describing romantic love, but rather what love is. So when we say we love someone, anyone, it should be lined up with this measurement of love that Paul teaches us. Love is so important and paramount that Paul defines it as better than faith and better than hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Love might be a Fruit you naturally have if:

a) You are often described by others as a loving person.
b) You tend to focus on reconciliation and forgiveness.
c) You accept others (and yourself) where they are and not where they should be.

You might struggle with love if:

i) You tend to hold grudges.
ii) You have difficulty putting others before yourself.
iii) You often find yourself overcome with envy.

Part 2) Joy

First thing first, joy is not an emotion but a virtue – a Fruit. Joy is not the same thing as happiness. No, joy is deeper and more profound. “Joy may be defined as a settled contentment in every situation or an ‘unnatural reaction of deep, steady and unadulterated thankful trust in YHVH.” (Blomberg p. 48 James) Isn’t that interesting? Isn’t that kind of cool? Joy is a very common theme in the New Testament linked to suffering (James 1:2-4) and throughout the letter to the Philippians (1:4, 18, 25; 2:2, 17, 18, 28, 29; 3:1; 4:1, 4, 10). Joy is a wellspring of gladness produced by Ruach HaKodesh, a thing that is birthed from deep thankfulness and trust in Elohim.

Joy might be a Fruit you naturally have if:

a) You can find humour or the good nature in tough situations.
b) You are good at raising other people’s morale.
c) You have this hidden light you walk around with that often prompts you to turn to YHVH in thanksgiving and the spread joy.

You might struggle with joy if:

i) You are very pessimistic.
ii) You have difficulty seeing the good in trials.
iii) You are unstable when things are very difficult.

BEWARE

One of our young goats ♥️

One of our young goats ♥️

One of our young goats ♥️