..of the Spirit
September 30, 2010 (Thursday)
Yesterday’s blog was about “peace.” As I re-read it a moment ago and saw the word, “Peace,” as the title of the blog, it looked lonely there, without all the other virtues that Paul dubbed, “The Fruit of the Spirit.”
You know them. They are found in Galatians 5:22-23. They are listed in contrast to “the works of the flesh,” cited by Paul in previous verses. The contrast is indeed stark. “The works of the flesh” are ugly; “The fruit of the Spirit” is beautiful. Notice the singular verb. “The fruit” is one cluster, with nine pieces of fruit in it. Like a cluster of grapes. Each grape is part of one cluster. Each “fruit” is part of a cluster; the virtues listed as fruit — Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control — go together.
Quick. When you repeat the list, of whom do you immediately think? Is it Jesus? Jesus lived these virtues. He exemplified them in his daily life. Together, they describe Him. Paul lists them and urges us to let them be integral in our lives.
“WWJD” was an emphasis not long ago. People wore the acrostic on their wrists and displayed it in other ways, as a reminder. Many are doing it today. Taken from the book, “In His Steps,” the logo, in question form, asked, “What would Jesus do?” That is a strong and worthy emphasis, but another, much stronger, and mentioned much more in the Scriptures, is the message that Jesus Christ lives in me, and I can surrender to His control. The emphasis is more “Christ in you,” and not as much “You for Christ.”
“Christ in you” is “The Holy Spirit in you.” He reproduces Himself in you. Release your life, and let Jesus speak through you, work through you, and bless others through you. Romans 7-8, taken together, teach us that we no longer have to struggle to do the right thing now that Christ lives within. As the hymn says, “I surrender all. All to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”
Give Him yourself today. Surrender to Him. As Dallas Holm’s great song says, “Now I’m ridin’ in the back seat, and I’m leavin’ all the drivin’ to the Chief.” It can be so in your life. “Let go and let God have His wonderful way.”