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“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).
As Paul writes this letter of thanks to his brethren in Philippi, he encourages them to be diligent in their Christian walk, and, at the same time, he presents an optimistic slant on his own situation. He doesn’t want them to be discouraged because he is in a Roman prison. In fact, he explains to them that his imprisonment has been a positive force in spreading the gospel in Rome. Because his own movement is restricted, brethren there have stepped up and have become more courageous and more aggressive in spreading the Word. It is easy to put a discouraging slant on a negative situation, but Paul here gives us an example of being optimistic in a situation that appears to be bad. Our thoughts usually are that all conditions need to be wonderful if we are to accomplish anything for the Lord. Paul shows the opposite attitude here. Thought for the Week.07-08-18. Fruit of the Spirit
Final in a Series of Studies of the Fruit of the Spirit “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, “gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Having warned the Galatian churches earlier about the danger of becoming entangled in many of the vices the world has to offer, Paul here describes some qualities that will automatically be evident in those who are sincerely following Jesus. Everything produces after its own kind unless it has been tampered with by man. The fruit produced by any plant will be the fruit that plant is designed to produce. As well, those who follow Jesus will have the kind of disposition and exhibit the kind of behavior Paul describes here. It isn’t that they create a check list and design a plan to have these qualities: it is that when they partake of the Spirit by reading and absorbing God’s word, these are the behaviors and emotions they will find themselves exhibiting. The lesson is powerful and actually requires assessment. If we find these qualities evident in our lives, we can know we have allowed God’s word to mold us at least toward the direction God wants us to go. Love, Joe Final in a Series of Studies of the Fruit of the Spirit
“gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:23). Controlling oneself is one of the greatest challenges a Christian will ever have to attempt—the word “temperance” is used in the King James Version. This “self-control” is comprehensive—it includes all aspects of our emotions and behavior. This teaching comes, no doubt, because of the social and moral excesses that were prevalent in the society of early New Testament times. Paul teaches that one who belongs to Christ controls not only his anger but also his involvement in demoralizing and sinful activities. He refrains from such. Self-control is man’s response to God’s instructions in the New Testament. The apostle is not teaching it is acceptable to take part in everything, even those things that are forbidden, as long as one exercises self-control in doing so. We, as Christians, make choices based on scripture. And then for those things that are not forbidden, we limit our involvement. |
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March 2023
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