Galatians 5: 22 – 23
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].
Who can witness us in the area of character ? In some part of our lives, we have terribly failed in the area of character building. Years pass by and we grow old but still character building can be a struggle for many. In the epistles, Apostle Paul speaks much about character and one terrifying statement he makes to every so called believer is in 1 Corinthians 13:2 “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains but have no LOVE, I am nothing.”
Let’s ponder over the above verse by Apostle Paul, here he speaks about the first fruit of the Holy Spirit that is ‘LOVE’. The bible says God is love, so if there is no love in us than God is absent in us, as believers in Christ. Almost every time we need to see and accept people around us through the lens of God’s eyes that is LOVE. It may be difficult to accept situations around us with love most of the time, it’s almost impossible for a husband to live with a nagging wife throughout his marriage life time, it can be tough for a women to live with her doubting and angry husband in her marriage. Your spouse may speak good about you in front of his relatives and outsiders, only to make you happy and maintain peace in the house, but the truth is too far from reality.
Recently I was hearing an interview of an Indian business tycoon a non – Christian, whose company is listed on London Stock Exchange (LSE), he was a senior citizen by age, but while being interviewed he spoke about his weakness boldly saying, he could not accept any other person prospering and going higher more than him, he wouldn’t eat his meals at nights as jealousy took over him, but the exciting part of his interview continuing with his statement he said, I don’t want to be jealous anymore towards anyone in my life time and be happy for anyone for their achievements and growth. I learned something from him as a lesson, though rich or poor, building character and maintaining it even when you are old is important.
As king Solomon describes in the Book of Ecclesiastes ‘Everything is vanity (meaningless)’, makes us aware and alert that whatever we achieve on earth, if God is not present in it, than it’s completely futile.
Dear friends, we may have received the highest education, working in the secular sector by reaching the highest position. Our lives would be well insured and secured in today’s world, a million subscribers on our social media platform, innumerable likes, etc. Even in our spiritual journey, we may have achieved great success in praying, fasting, memorizing scriptures, preaching and performing miracles, but if there is NO character we have lost everything. It will be like a blessing in disguise in our Christian walk. Today let your husband, wife, children, siblings, parents be your biggest witness in your own homes, even before you testify in the church.
The Bible declares in Galatians 6:7 “ A man reaps what he sows”. God cannot be mocked, so don’t make a fool of yourself.
Prayer :- Precious Holy Spirit, I surrender myself completely to you in the area of character. Let every of Your fruit grow in and within me. Make me a custodian of God’s love. May I love and accept everyone around me irrespective of however they are. Help me to grow each day in Your character and I forgive everyone those who have hated and hurted me, I release them and bless them, in Jesus name I pray. AMEN.
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