Fruit of the Spirit
For those of us Christians working for justice on issues like abortion, violence, or international conflict, we need to ask ourselves this; will others see Christ in us through our work? Will they know who Jesus is simply by knowing who we are?
Galatians 5 paints a picture of what sinful nature looks like. But it also paints a picture of what the fruit of the Spirit looks like. The fruit being the visible qualities we bear when we are living in Christ.
Galations 5:22-23 “The fruit of the spirit is this; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”.
These seem like “Utopian-like” ethics, but maybe as Christians we ought to see them as essential ethics and characteristics for building the kingdom of God. These fruits can seem unrealistic under certain situations, but maybe that’s where and when they become the most effective. Maybe that’s where and when people begin to really see who this Christ is, and get a glimpse of what His kingdom will one day look like. What if in the greatest moments of conflict instead of our last resort being violence, our last resort was kindness. What if in the most difficult hour of our struggle, we remained faithful with self-control. Now, imagine if not just for the last resort, but for every part of the process, from beginning to end, these characteristics were strong and consistent. What if our love or our peace didn’t become something that was robbed from us when we were pushed so far, but instead, were characteristics that remained steadfast and stable. Maybe good can overcome evil (Romans 12:21) by doing the exact opposite that evil would do. Some in this world bring destruction and death but we have a message of life, and hope. Even our own countries enforce embargo's on other countries, yet we as Christians are taught to feed our enemies when they are hungry (Romans 12:20).
Human beings are not the source of evil. This is something I personally too often forget. The same devil planting deadly seeds in my life, is the same devil planting seeds in my enemies life.
Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Paul urges us to actively bring forth the “gospel of peace“ (Eph 6:15). Paul was once a man who bore the sword on behalf of his religious convictions, but as a convert to Christianity makes a declaration against the weapons of this world (2 Corinthians 10) and speaks of a more powerful sword; the word of God (Eph. 6:17)
Even Paul, a murderer and persecutor of innocent people, became one of the most influential writers in the bible as he wrote many of the New Testament books. Paul’s story is a shining example of redemption through Christ; Christ working through the least of these. Although we are imperfect, we too can be the shining examples of redemption as we share the fruits of the spirit with this world inviting them to experience the wonderful Kingdom that is being built.
When are enemies are hungry or thirsty, we give them something to eat and drink. We as Christians believe we can counter injustice and over-come evil with good. Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.” Let us encourage each other as we bring change to the world right now. Even if its in small baby steps. Let us encourage each other as we authentically and consistently live inside and out, the fruits of the spirit.
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