Why You Don’t Need To Focus on The Fruit of the Spirit

https://flic.kr/p/8vJZZs

I have done a lot of traveling this week and I became stranded towards the end of my trip. There was no free Wi-Fi there and I didn’t feel like writing a blog on my smart phone, so hence the lateness of this post.

In the past, I might have started freaking out. I might have gotten angry at the airline or impatient with the delays that led to me getting stranded. As I sensed myself getting out of control, I would have probably prayed a prayer like, “Lord, give me peace” or “Lord, give me patience.” I had always been taught this is how to behave as Christian, because of this passage that is preached regularly on Sunday morning:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

However, I have come to know you do not need to pursue being more patient or loving or whatever you feel you need. You only have to pursue knowing Jesus Christ, who lives within you, for He is all those things! Simply looking at His earthly ministry, but also numerous passages in the New Testament, Scripture shows that Jesus Christ is all of these things:

Jesus Christ is love.

Jesus Christ is joy.

Jesus Christ is peace.

Jesus Christ is patient.

Jesus Christ is kind.

Jesus Christ is goodness.

Jesus Christ is faithfulness.

Jesus Christ is gentleness.

Jesus Christ is self-control.

He embodies all of these characteristics! He lives inside you and you can live by His life! As you seek to know Jesus Christ more His love, His joy, His peace, and His patience (along with all of the other fruit that result from His indwelling life) will become manifest.

Pursue your Lord who lives within you alongside your brothers and sisters and watch His life become more apparent!

You may also like...

6 Responses

  1. Eric McConnaughey says:

    Good stuff Marc. Recently I have been reading through “Abide in Christ” by Andrew Murray. It really encouraged me to focus on Christ, the vine, for growth in my life. My job is to stay connected to the vine, Jesus the vine then bears fruit in me. Enjoy reading how Jesus is living through your life.

    • Marc Hardy says:

      Thanks, Eric! That sounds like a really great book. I’m going to have to check it out. The Christian life for everyone really is all about learning to abide in Jesus and relying on Him completely, in all things.

  2. Brenda says:

    Good stuff brother!

  3. Thomas says:

    Marc Hardy you’re my hero. But seriously, good truthful post dogg.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge