Galatians 5:22-23
New International Version (NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law;
The Message
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.
23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
How do I know the Bible is truth? How am I certain it is the Word of God? Not a way, but the way? Theses mediations have been true to how God speaks to my heart, mind, spirit and soul. That is how I know. In May I wrote as I began these meditations that they would be, ‘prayers in thoughts and scriptures on biblical characters; images; principles; people; Word and feelings.’ I am aware that they may appear disjointed, and unconnected. How can I write about ‘Breaking Bad;’ ‘Real Zombies;’ the Bible and Caravaggio and expect others to understand, read, and continue reading? Simply put-I don’t. But some of you have. Thank you. Marcus Aurelius’’ ‘Meditations’ was just an idea model for these posts. Jesus and His Father, and especially the person of the Spirit, are the source of all these meditative posts. They are prayers. Spirit filled and lovingly shared. Prayers.
Thus, two points in the last post on spirit fruit. First, ‘spirit fruit’ is written here with a small‘s’ because it is the multiple, small and small in size and shape. sprit fruit is before our eyes each day. I just need to see it. Where? When? It is the child I don’t see, or see too much; the wish of a loved one that whispers our name; the birthday, the person forgotten. spirit fruit is mediation. And if I am fortunate, spirit fruit is, as Psalm 77 states, memories of ‘the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds’ (11-12) Who is the meditative Psalmist saying ‘yes ‘to? He has to be saying ‘yes’ to himself, to spirit led meditation, remembrances of past and present and , yes, even future moments. He is saying ‘yes’ to listening. And then the Word re-enters his being in the form of remembrances. The Psalmist hears, sees the remembrances. Then he sings. For me. For us. He shares fruit. Me? Now? I just have to sit with the Word, listen and meditate on it. My writing is part of my mediation.
Second and final point: prayer is speaking to God; mediating is listening to Him. In order to listen, you have to stop speaking. Then memories will flood in from Him, from the person of the Spirit. These images, principles, feelings, thoughts are ours and His. They are spirit fruit. Mediations. I know the Word is true because I listen; it speaks; and what I hear, feel, write, think, is not of me. As long as I read His Word, it is His. Him spirit fruit. Never me. And that frees me to understand.
I placed three translations, three paraphrases of the Word at the beginning of this post. Read them again as you close this time with me. spirit fruit is the gifting He brings into our lives. Live with it; hear it; see it. Touch and taste, see that He is beyond ‘good.’ He and His Word is Truth and love. spirit truth; loving fruit.
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