FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – MEEKNESS & TEMPERANCE

We are going to discuss the last two fruit of the Spirit mentioned in 
Galatians 5:22-23….Meekness and Temperance.

MEEKNESS means to have and show humility (a modest or low view of one’s importance; lack of pride).   

Paul admonished Timothy to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness (humility). (1 Timothy 6:11)

Jesus taught in Matthew 5:5 – Blessed are the meek (humble): for they shall inherit the earth.

1 Peter 5:5 teaches us to be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Having meekness is not about the lack of confidence (you can have confidence in your ability and still be humble), but it is the lack of pride which causes a person to be arrogant.

Have you ever seen or perhaps personally experienced someone turn up their nose at you?  That is not the behavior of a humble person.

The Bible warns, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) 

Pride and haughtiness are the opposite of what Jesus exampled…. Matthew 21:5 – Behold, they KING cometh unto thee, MEEK, and sitting upon a donkey. 

Jesus is the King, and yet He was humble as He rode into Jerusalem on the donkey with the people lining the streets shouting, “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord!”  Most would become lifted up in pride and vanity hearing the cheers and praise of everyone surrounding them, but not Jesus.

That is the opposite of what we see and hear pushed in society and through social media.   So many are striving to be seen and gain attention. 

Posting pictures of yourself with your family, friends, and vacations isn’t a sin, but when someone often posts pictures of themself the heart needs to be examined as to the motive.  

Many are trying to become popular, well known, and gain notoriety through their accomplishments, pictures, or posts.

There is nothing wrong necessarily with succeeding and feelings of accomplishment (depending upon what the person is setting out to succeed in and as long as it’s not taking them further away from God and time spent with Him.  For example: becoming a doctor or nurse compared to becoming a rock star).  But whatever a person is striving to succeed in, they need to remain humble. 

Meekness/Humility is the opposite of pride and boastfulness.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 warns us that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (Many of the things Paul warned about fall under the sin of pride and are the opposite of a meek and humble attitude.) For many shall be:

lovers of their own selves (that’s pride, not humility),
covetous (jealous of what others have or their accomplishments),
boasters (brag on themselves),
proud (appearing above others, haughty),
blasphemers (people lifted up in pride speak against their Maker),
disobedient to parents (that’s not being humble),
unthankful (feel that things are owed to them.  opposite of humility)
highminded (self conceit, lifted up with pride),
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (seeking after what is fun and makes them feel good more than seeking to please and serve God)

Paul wrote in his letter to the Church in Philippians 2:3 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory (self conceit); but in lowliness of mind (humility) let each esteem (think of) other better than themselves.

Philippians 2:4 – Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  (in other words: don’t just think about yourself.  Think about others.  Sometimes we get a little too inward focused when we should be more outward/others focused.)

Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.  (In other words, think like Jesus thought. )

Philippians 2:7-8 tells us that JESUS MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION but rather took upon Himself the form of a servant.  Although Jesus was God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16 + John 1:1, 3, 10, 11, 14, 15, 30), He HUMBLED Himself.  Jesus wasn’t trying to appear to be someone great (although He definitely was). Instead, He exampled humility.

Many of the attributes attributed to a loving person in 1 Corinthians 13 can also be said of a humble person…

A humble person does not vaunt (boast about) itself.

A humble person is not puffed up (haughty, proud)

A humble person is not self-seeking.

Paul concludes his teaching concerning the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:26 with this… Let us not be desirous of vain glory.  Meaning: don’t be egotistical; don’t be conceited, boasting about oneself, seeking after and desiring the attention of others.

The last fruit of the Spirit is Temperance
(also known as Self Control).

How many battle to maintain self control when it comes to Thanksgiving and Christmas get-togethers?

Some people may struggle with self control when it comes to chocolate or sweets.

Anyone else struggle to maintain self control when you’re driving in traffic?

What about Walmart?  Some days it takes more self control than others when trying to navigate through their aisles around people and carts that are taking up the entire walkway. 

It takes self control to bite your tongue and not say what you’re thinking and really want to say to someone.

It takes self control to not retaliate with your words when someone out of the blue says something snarky, snide, or mean and you’re wondering, “where did that come from?  Why did they say that?” 

Sadly, many children (and adults) today lack self control.  That’s why there is so much chaos and lawlessness in our world.  Unfortunately, excuses are made for poor behavior rather than issuing discipline and consequences for it.  

Poor behavior had one means of correction when I was growing up: the ‘board of education’ was applied to the ‘seat of knowledge’ and we learned self control lest it be administered again.

Paul observed how athletes learned self control if they wanted to obtain the prize by winning the race.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? (several may run but only one will win) So run, that ye may obtain.  And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes to win) is temperate (self controlled) IN ALL THINGS (their eating habits, their sleeping habits, the exercise they do). 

If those runners did not exercise self control concerning what they eat or drank, it could cause them to lose the race.   

If they stayed up half the night, they would be too tired to put as much energy into winning the race.

If they did not exercise and practice maintaining and gaining endurance, they would not be able to hold out and keep up the pace needed to finish the race.  

Paul continued: Now they do it (all this) to obtain a corruptible crown (earthly prize that’s temporary and later forgotten); but we an incorruptible (eternal life that can’t be taken away). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air (I’m running with purpose and not just aimlessly beating the air): BUT I KEEP UNDER MY BODY AND BRING IT INTO SUBJECTION.

Paul recognized the need for self control in both the physical and in the spiritual or else he could lose his soul and be rejected by God.

We need to learn to be self controlled in all areas of our lives, especially if our lack of self control could cost us our soul.

 

WE SHALL BE KNOWN BY OUR FRUIT

Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that we shall be known by our FRUIT.  He asked: Do men gather grapes from a thorny bush?  Or do we gather figs from thistles that prick us?  No, neither a grape vine nor a fig tree will prick or hurt us.  Neither should we be exhibiting any behavior that pricks or hurts others.  

Jesus warned in Matthew 3:10 –  A tree that is not bringing forth good fruit is cut down and burned in a fire. 

He went on to teach in Matthew 7:17 – Every good tree will bring forth GOOD fruit.  But a corrupt tree (one that has something <some sin> eating away at it) will bring forth evil fruit.

Matthew 7:18 - A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Matthew 7:19 – Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire

Matthew 7:20 – wherefore by their FRUITS ye shall know them.

Jesus began and concluded this parable of the fruit and trees saying, “by their fruits ye shall know them.”

We find He taught on it again a few chapters later in Matthew 12:33 and again said – Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt for THE TREE IS KNOWN BY HIS FRUIT.

Luke 13 teaches a very sobering lesson -  Jesus said a certain owner came to his vineyard and desired fruit from a certain tree.  For 3 years, he had come looking to eat of its fruit and for 3 years he had found none on it.  He commanded the keeper of the vineyard to cut it down.  It was taking up space and was unprofitable. But the Keeper interceded and asked if the owner would give the tree one more year to see if he could get it to bring forth fruit. The owner granted the tree one more year to produce fruit or be cut down.

There are times when the Pastor stands in the gap through prayer for the soul of someone who is not bringing forth fruit. They’ve received the same spiritual food, the same messages as the rest of the congregation.  Some receive the preached Word, apply it to their lives and begin to bring forth spiritual fruit as they let God’s Word saturate their heart making it good fertile ground. 

Yet, some seem not to hear or receive what has been preached.  Their mind wanders to other things as the seeds of the Word being sown by the Preacher or teacher fall by the wayside or on stony ground.  Their heart does not bring forth fruit because they’re not doing their part to water and prepare their heart with prayer, Bible reading, and fasting.  They’re not doing their part to maintain self control and bring every thought captive and force their mind to focus on the Word of God. (sometimes we have to do that because distractions will come)   

Sadly, they are unaware that they have become like that tree that is not producing fruit year after year.  God is ready to be done with them, but the pastor intercedes to give that person a little more time to hear the preached Word.  Perhaps, this will be the year they will make the turn around.  Perhaps this will be the year they will shed the dead branches of whatever their struggle or sin may be and begin to bring forth good fruit.  

We need to examine our hearts to make sure we are bringing forth GOOD fruit.  If we are feeling irritable, or exhibiting some bitterness, or talking against someone behind their back, or we feel rebellion rising up in us, or anger, or clamour (yelling), and such like then we need to take time to root out whatever is causing our fruit to be rotten.

Repent, pray, saturate your mind with God’s Word, and fasting may be needed and is beneficial to help us root out whatever is tainting our fruit lest God becomes weary with our rebellious heart and ways and wants to cut us down and cast us away.  That’s not something anyone likes to hear taught, yet it's mentioned in the Bible for a reason.  There comes a point when God grows weary as we see from this parable.  Unless, someone intercedes.

I’m so thankful for Pastors who intercede for those under their care. We need to pray for our pastor because he is praying and interceding for us.

How can we make sure we bring forth good fruit?  John 15:1-8 – we cannot bear good fruit unless we ABIDE in the Vine (we need to stay connected and close to Jesus).   Jesus said He is glorified when we produce MUCH FRUIT.  

There is no laws against any of the fruit of the Spirit – not a single one.  You won’t go to jail or get fined for being loving, being happy, showing peace, being longsuffering, being gentle or good or having faith or being humble or having self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)  

Can Faith Save Us?

James 2 (KJV)

¹⁴ What doth it profit, my brethren, 

though a man say he hath faith, 

and HAVE NOT WORKS? 

CAN FAITH SAVE HIM?

¹⁷ Even so FAITH,

IF IT HATH NOT WORKS,

IS DEAD, BEING ALONE. 

¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, 

Thou hast faith, and I have works: 

shew me thy faith without thy works, 

and I WILL SHEW THEE MY FAITH BY MY WORKS.

²⁰ But wilt thou know, O vain man, 

that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?

²¹ Was not Abraham our father 

justified by works....?

²² Seest thou how faith wrought WITH his works, 

and BY WORKS WAS FAITH MADE PERFECT?

²⁴ Ye see then how that 

BY WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, 

and NOT BY FAITH ONLY.

²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, 

SO FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.

Did you notice James stated THREE TIMES in just these few Scriptures that: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD (Vs 17, 20, 26)? 

He likened it to the body without the spirit is dead.  

It takes BOTH...Faith AND works.

Some teach or believe you don't need to be baptized or receive the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in other tongues.  They state, "we're saved by grace" ((Eph 2:5,8).  We are but those Scriptures we're written addressing THE CHURCH, those who had already been baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost.  

Jesus taught in Mark 16:16... he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved. 

Jesus continued in verse 17... and THESE SIGNS SHALL FOLLOW them that believe...they shall speak with new tongues. 

Have you been baptized since you believed?

Have you spoke with new tongues since you believed?

Have you followed Christ's teachings to be Born Again?

Acts 2 (KJV)

³⁸ Then Peter (who was taught by Jesus) said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Gentleness, Goodness, Faith

 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Gentleness, Goodness, Faith

 

The fifth fruit of the Spirit mentioned is: GENTLENESS

When you hear the word ‘gentleness’ or ‘gentle,’ what do you think of it as meaning?

Oxford dictionary gives this definition: the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered. 

Strong’s Concordance (G5544) will at times substitute the word gentleness with kindness or goodness (the next fruit of the Spirit).  If you ask google, “what are the 9 fruit of the spirit?” it will mention kindness instead of gentleness.

Dictionary.com defines gentleness as: an absence of bad temper or belligerence.  Gentle has reference especially to disposition and behavior and is also associated with forbearance (lonsuffering/putting up with) in dealing with others.

When you begin to study the fruit of the Spirit, you will see how closely each are intertwined with the characteristic of another.

Paul teaches in his letter to the Church in Colossia, how we as Christians are to act toward one another.

Colossians 3:12 says to: put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, KINDNESS, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering (there’s the fruit of longsuffering/patience mentioned again).

As Christians, the elect (chosen) of God, we are to be merciful toward others.  Did you notice that word mercies in this Scripture is plural?  Our mercy toward others should be abounding just as God’s mercy toward us is abounding and new every morning. (Lam 3:22-23)

Humbleness of mind and meekness mean nearly the same thing.  One is how you think about yourself and the other is how you act toward others yet both are indicating that we should not think more highly of ourselves than we should.

We are also to put on KINDNESS (also sometimes mentioned as GENTLENESS – G5544). 

Paul instructed the Ephesians in Ephesians 4:31-32…

Let all bitterness (poison), and wrath (fierceness, extreme anger), and anger (strong feeling of hostility), and clamour (shouting in anger), and evil speaking (saying things to or about someone that are hateful and hurtful) be put away from you, with all malice (intention or desire of ill will toward another). ß These are the works of the flesh, things/feelings/actions that will hinder us from inheriting the Kingdom of God.  These are things we need to put off.

I heard a story of someone who was supposed to be a Christian, yet grew angry at the service or lack of it at a restaurant so she slammed a chair down on the server’s foot which ended up breaking it.

In a separate incident, I witnessed someone call the server ‘toad’ and look disdainfully at them.  That server did not do anything that I could see to merit such hostility. That person was dealing with internal anger (evil speaking) that they then vented onto that poor server.  Jesus was not pleased, and I was embarrassed to be seen with them.

Those two instances are the OPPOSITE of the Fruit of the Spirit.  That is not showing gentleness or kindness toward others.  If Jesus would not behave in such a manner, neither should we.

The fruit of the Spirit helps us to: BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  These are traits we need to put on and bind around us tightly.

Paul wrote to the Romans reminding them in Romans 2:4 that it is the GOODNESS (meaning the Gentleness, the kindness) of God that leads us to repentance.  Thank God for His goodness/His kindness that helps lead us to repentance.

We want God to be KIND/GENTLE toward us.  In the same manner, we need to be kind and gentle toward others.  We never know how our kindness shown toward others may affect and lead them to Jesus Christ.

The Bible talks about doing good to our enemies and likens it to ‘heaping coals of fire on their heads.’ (Prov 25:21-22)  God showed me a few years ago that this is not meaning it as a way of taking vengeance on them, but rather it may warm their heart. He is not going to reward us for intending ill or harm toward someone, but He will reward us for extending undeserved kindness.   It is a way of overcoming evil with good instead of being destroyed by their evil. (Romans 12:20-21)

Being Gentle/being kind can be tough to exhibit toward some people sometimes, especially if they are hostile toward you.  Many years ago, I had a cashier acting hateful toward me.  I didn’t know her.  I hadn’t said or done anything mean to her. I continued being kind despite her rudeness and finally asked, “Has it been a rough day?”  She nearly broke down crying as she explained that it had been and that a previous customer had been hostile toward her earlier in the day.  It had stayed with her and festered as she then became hostile toward others. 

Attitudes are contagious – be careful as to which kind of attitude you’re spreading. A kind reaction with care and concern helped to diffuse a tense situation.   I could have caught and spread that bad attitude that she had caught and was spreading, but instead I chose to be kind/to be gentle.

God didn’t say to only be kind to those who are kind to us.  He said, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him.  If he’s thirsty, give him something to drink.” (Prov 25:21) He instructs us in Luke 6:35 to do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the Children of the Highest: FOR HE IS KIND UNTO THE UNTHANKFUL AND TO THE EVIL. Wow!  God is kind to those who are thankful AND even to those who are evil.  How much more should we be?

We do our part (displaying the fruit of the Spirit) without ulterior motives or expecting anything in return, then leave the outcome in God’s hands. 

Be Gentle – Be Kind to others – even if they’re not to you.

The sixth fruit of the Spirit mentioned is: GOODNESS

This is the quality of being morally good and virtuous (having high moral standards). 

The New Testament uses many words to describe the characteristics and behaviors of those who are morally good and striving to be virtuous such as: just; righteous; holy; pure.  Those who are morally good and virtuous will also exhibit the characteristic of being gentle and kind (the previous fruit of the Spirit mentioned).

Romans 12:1 – present your bodies a living sacrifice, HOLY (morally blameless, pure, consecrated), acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Asking us to be holy, morally blameless, pure, and consecrated to God so that we are acceptable to Him is not asking anything unreasonable.  Paul said it is our REASONABLE service.  It’s possible, but it takes denying the will of the flesh.)

Romans 14:7 – The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but RIGHTEOUSNESS (right living), and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

1 Corinthians 3:17 – If any man destroy the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is HOLY, WHICH TEMPLE YE ARE.
1 Corinthians 6:19 – What? Know ye not that YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST which is in you, which ye have of God, and YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN?

When we have the Holy Ghost living inside of us, which is the Spirit of Christ, we are to be holy in every way (morally blameless, pure and consecrated to God) because we are the place that Christ dwells.   He purchased and redeemed us with His own Blood therefore He owns us and has the right to require us to be separate from the world, live a certain way, and avoid doing certain things.  We are not our own - we now belong to Jesus Christ.  Therefore, we are to glorify God in our body and in our Spirit, which are God’s. (1 Cor 6:20)

Lot’s righteous soul was vexed daily by seeing their unlawful deeds and by hearing the filthy conversation of the wicked in Sodom and Gomorrah. (2 Peter 2:7-8) We do the same to Jesus when we listen to conversations or music that promotes or sings about ungodly things or if we watch/set anything before our eyes that is unholy and immoral.  If Jesus wouldn’t listen to certain music or talk, watch anything unwholesome or unholy, or go to certain places then neither should we. 

Ephesians 1:4 – …we should be HOLY and without blame before Him in love.

Colossians 1:22 – …to present you HOLY and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.

1 Peter 1:15-16 – But as He which hath called you is HOLY, so be ye HOLY in all manner of conversation (meaning behavior which can include what we say). Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.

2 Peter 3:11 – Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all HOLY conversation (meaning behavior which can include what we say) and godliness.  (Dictionary.com defines godliness in this way: conforming to the laws and wishes of God; devoutness and moral uprightness)

As we grow in God and draw closer to Him, we will begin to bring forth the Fruit of Goodness (being morally good and virtuous which means having high moral standards).

The seventh fruit of the Spirit mentioned is: Faith

Strong’s defines Faith (G4102) as being: your persuasion, moral conviction of religious truth.

Your faith should be more than just words (‘I believe in Jesus’).  It should be a conviction so strong that what you believe is Truth that you cannot be swayed or persuaded to believe anything different from it, and you are willing to die rather than deny it…just as the early Christians did and those in foreign countries are having to do.

Daniel’s moral conviction of what was religious truth was so strong, he was willing to be thrown in a den of hungry ferocious lions than to deny the God He would one day have to stand before.  He refused to pray to a mortal ruler who would also one day have to stand before the One True God.   Because Daniel held to his moral convictions and would not deny God, God shut the mouth of the lions and delivered Daniel out the den.

The 3 Hebrew boys (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) were willing to face being thrown into a fiery furnace than to deny their God and kneel before a statue to appease the pride and rebellion of the Babylonian ruler.  Because these 3 young men held to their moral convictions and would not deny God or bow to please man, God walked with them in the midst of the fire for the King of Babylon to see and brought them out without any burns, singes, or even a twinge of the smell of smoke.

Peter who proclaimed boldly, “I will NEVER deny You, Jesus!” (Mark 14:31) and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant with a sword as they came to arrest Jesus (Mark 14:47) suddenly grew scared as he feared that he, too, would be arrested, convicted, and hung on a cross just as they were about to do with Jesus.  He was so scared that he cursed adamantly denying that he knew who Jesus was.  I’m sure his heart smote him when he heard the rooster crowing as he realized what he had done. (Mark 14:66-72)  Yet, later, we find he became a bold preacher of the Gospel who could not be swayed.  (see the book of Acts and 1 + 2 Peter)

Steven, in the New Testament, held so tightly to his religious convictions that he was willing to suffer and die for Jesus Christ rather than deny Him.  As he felt life leaving his body, he didn’t hold any anger or malice or unforgiveness in his heart.  He didn’t pray and ask God to remember their deeds, words and actions and repay them for the evil they were doing against him.  Instead, he prayed that God would not hold it against those who were stoning him. (Acts 7:58-59) It’s one thing to be willing to die for our faith in Jesus Christ.  It’s more challenging to forgive and hold no bitterness against someone who is wounding us.

I have to wonder if his strong stand for his faith and the forgiveness in his heart made a difference in the heart of a man named Saul.   Saul, stood by watching and holding everyone’s coats as they stoned Steven until he died.   Saul heard the jeers of his peers yet he also heard the cry for their forgiveness coming from Steven’s lips as his writhed in agony.

Saul thought he was doing the will of God.  He thought he was standing for his religious convictions against what he perceived to be a false doctrine.  UNTIL, Jesus shown a light on him as he was on his way to Damascus to persecute and kill more Christians.   After that encounter, Saul changed sides, and Jesus changed his name.  Saul now became known as Paul.  The persecutor now became the persecuted.  And now, Paul understood how and why Steven was willing to die for His faith.  When you have a life changing encounter with the Savior, you will never be the same.

There are so many more examples I could give, but is our faith that strong that we are willing to die for what we believe? 

Could we still stand for Jesus and not deny His name or our Faith despite the possibility of dying for it just as the early Christians did and as the Christians in foreign countries are forced to choose?

If it’s not, we need to pray and ask God to help our Faith to grow stronger. 

Jesus said if we deny Him, He will deny us. (Matthew 10:33) 

But if we will boldly confess (acknowledge) Him before everyone, He will also confess (acknowledge) us.  (Matthew 10:32)

We need to become rooted (stable) and built up (building upon Christ Jesus) so that we will become established (strengthened) in the Faith. (Colossians 2:7)

 

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Longsuffering

 THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Longsuffering

 The fourth fruit of the Spirit mentioned is:

LONGSUFFERING  (also known as Patience)

Oxford Dictionary defines Longsuffering as this: having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.

Merriam Webster defines it as: patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship.

I like the way activeChristianity.org describes it:  the ability to bear and allow for others’ weaknesses.

Patience – something we all need more of.

There are two aspects to the fruit of Longsuffering…. There is God’s longsuffering toward us, and the longsuffering we are to show toward others.

GOD’S LONGSUFFERING

First, we’ll look at what the Bible says about God’s Longsuffering (His patience) toward us.

Moses stood on Mt Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, holding the 2 tables of stone on which God was going to write the 10 commandments with His own hand.

As the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with Moses, He proclaimed,  “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.  Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty…” (Exodus 34:6-7 + Numbers 14:18)

We usually think of iniquity, transgression, and sin as being the same thing, but notice that God listed them as three separate things.

Iniquity means: perversity, evil, mischief (Strong’s H5771)
Transgression: rebellion against what is morally and religiously right (H6588)
Sin: an offense, sometimes repeated (H2403)

God is merciful and patient and will forgive us of the evil, mischievous, rebellious, and repeated sins we commit IF we repent.  Repentance means to STOP sinning. Stop doing evil and wrong. Stop rebelling against His Word, His morals, and His ways.  God is merciful, but He said He will not clear the guilty who will not repent and will not stop sinning and rebelling against Him.

It was the longsuffering of God that moved on Noah to build an Ark for whosoever would heed, obey and get on the Ark to escape the judgment to come.  It was the longsuffering of God that waited and warned against sin as Noah built that Ark.   It was the longsuffering of God that put up with the disobedience of His creation as long as He did until He could bear it no more.  No one would listen.  No one would obey but Noah and his family. (1 Peter 3:20)

We are seeing the same thing happen today.  The cries are going out, “Get on the Ark before it’s too late!  Get in the Church, live for Jesus, love Him, serve Him before it’s too late!  Pray, read your Bible daily, repent of your sins, get baptized, you need the Holy Ghost!”   Yet, the cries and warnings are falling on deaf ears as so many continue to blatantly commit sins, live however they want, won’t go to Church, yet boldly proclaim that they’re going to heaven. 

God is longsuffering – that’s why He hasn’t returned for the Church yet - but there is coming a day when we will all have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give account for our actions, words, deeds….the Bible said we’ll give account for every idle word.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:35-36 - A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 
But I say unto you, that EVERY IDLE WORD that men shall speak, THEY SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT THEREOF in the day of judgment.

That’s pretty scary and sobering to think about.  We need to guard our tongues and make sure our conversations are upright before the Lord.

God is longsuffering – thank God for His longsuffering! - but one day His longsuffering/His patience will run out.  Don’t resist His Spirit when He calls to draw closer to Him. 

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that it is God’s longsuffering that is waiting, not wanting any to perish, but that all would come to repentance.  He’s calling.  The response is up to us – will we hear and obey as Noah did?  Or will we ignore and keep living how we want to live and be destroyed when God’s judgment comes just as those who ignored Noah’s cries (the preacher’s messages) did until the flood came.  Then, all of a sudden they wanted on the Ark….but it was too late. 

Don’t despise the riches of His goodness and forbearance (tolerance) and longsuffering (patience) by ignoring His call.  It is the goodness of God that calls and leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

David was able to pen these words in Psalms 86:15 because he had experienced God’s longsuffering – But Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Because God is longsuffering, we are to follow His example and be longsuffering toward others. 

1 Timothy 1:16 – Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might SHEW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.

Paul recognized that it was the longsuffering of Christ that showed mercy to him while he was persecuting the Christians.   Christ’s longsuffering was a pattern, an example, that all Believers are to follow after.

Paul wrote to the Church in Colossia as the elect of God to PUT ON certain traits:  bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and LONGSUFFERING, forbearing (putting up with) one another, and forgiving one another.  If you have a quarrel against someone, forgive them just as Christ forgave you.  And above all these things, put on charity (love).  If you have the fruit of love, it will be easier to be longsuffering and forgiving toward others. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Paul wrote to the Ephesians 4:1-3 – Walk worthy of the vocation (calling) wherewith you are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing (putting up with) one another in love. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Sounds like a couple churches were dealing with contentions among the people that Paul was needing to address and remind them to let the fruit of the Spirit rule in their heart.

Paul had to write a letter admonishing Timothy, who was a young pastor…
Preach the Word;
be instant in season, out of season (be ready and stand);
reprove (convince, tell a fault – Pastor’s job is to tell us when we’re doing wrong)
rebuke (express disapproval of a behavior or action)
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine (try to convince to change using patience and the Word of God)

Many no longer feel that it is the Pastor’s place or job to tell them when they are doing wrong.  Many want a cheerleader and motivational speaker but not a pastor. 

Because the time will come and now is when so many are no longer able to endure (put up with) sound (uncorrupt) doctrine, but will pursue after their own lusts and desires.  They are chasing after and accumulating teachers (religious instructors) who tell them what they want to hear, make them feel good in their sin, give them an easy road to salvation (just believe, no change required), and that tickle and scratch their itching ears.

So many are turning their ears away from the Truth and believing fables (things that are not true) because it appeals to the flesh and its desire. (2 Timothy 4:1-4) 

Paul knew it was coming.  He knew people’s hearts were growing cold and carnal.  He knew that many would rise up against and oppose Truth and those who preached it.  And he knew it would wear on the patience of pastors who are trying to preach and stand strong for what is true and right according to the Word of God.  

But Pastor, keep reproving (tell us when we’re doing wrong); keep rebuking (express disapproval of a behavior or action); keep exhorting with all longsuffering and doctrine.  Keep trying to convince us to change using patience and the Word of God, because souls are depending upon it.  There will be some who will depart, seeking teachers/preachers who will tickle their ears.  But there will also be a remnant who will hear and heed the warnings. 

Longsuffering, Patience – we all need to work on having more this fruit.

Circumstances of life will try and test our patience.

People will try and test our patience.

But because God has been longsuffering toward us and is still showing patience with us when we mess us, falter, and fail, we need to follow His example and be patient with others.  

Why God Shall Supply All Your Needs

Philippians 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

This is a verse we all love to quote, hold fast to, and share with others in their time of need. 

But have you ever stopped to read the preceding verses? The reason Paul assured them of this when concluding his letter to the Philippian Church?

Read verses 10-18 = they were the only ones who checked on Paul and sent supplies to help him with his needs. 

Paul assured them it was not because he was desiring people to give gifts to him, but their giving,  care, and generosity to take care of the ministry was showing FRUIT. (Vs 17)  It was showing they were growing spiritually and had the mind of Christ.

It is the law of sowing and reaping. 

You want God to supply all your needs?

Make sure you are faithfully giving your tithes, your offerings (these are required by God, not man or the Church - Malachi 3:8), remember to bless the ministry (pastors, evangelists, missionaries). 

I do not post this because I am a pastor's wife or because there is a need. I am posting what God opened my understanding to. 

Giving shows Fruit and it a sweet smell, a sacrifice,  acceptable,  well pleasing to God. (Vs 18)

For every Promise,  there is something God expects from us.

First posted 9-12-2022

 My poor plant!

My husband bought it for me for Mother's Day.

I was diligent to take care and water it at first. 

But then...

I got busy...."I'll water it later"

But later, I forgot. 

Then, I'd remember again at some point and water it.

Unfortunately,  the same cycle of being busy and forgetting kept repeating 

Until....I realized my plant had shriveled and died.

The same happens in our spiritual walk...

We get busy...."I'll pray and read my Bible later"

But later, we forget.

At times we'll remember and take a few quick moments to pray and read a verse or two before hurrying off to do whatever we need to or are wanting to do.

Unfortunately,  that cycle of being busy, forgetting, or just wanting to do something else continues 

Until....our spiritual man has shriveled and died.

Sometimes,  a person will realize it 

Sometimes,  a person won't 

Because cares of life have choked out and become dominant over the spiritual and spending time with our First Love (Jesus)

Jesus warned the Church in Sardis that they were alive, yet they were dead.  They were alive physically but dead spiritually.  (Rev 3:1)

Don't be alive to the cares, wants, and desires of the physical flesh

While letting your spiritual man starve and die 💔

Take time,  make time,  to pray and read your Bible (God's letters to us) EVERY DAY.

Eternity is coming.  

What you do for Jesus Christ is the only thing that will matter then.

Milk vs Strong Meat

Hebrews 5 (KJV)

¹¹ Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

¹² For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

¹³ For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

¹⁴ But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 6 (KJV)

¹ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

² Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Paul wrote a letter to the Hebrews encouraging them to grow in the knowledge of the Word of God and rebuking them for being stuck on just the foundations of the Gospel.  

The foundations are necessary,  for without them a building will eventually crumble.   We need to make our foundation sure and secure, understanding the necessity for repentance,  the need to be baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost (*see Scripture references at the end), laying on of hands to pray for others, that one day the dead in Christ will rise again,  and there will be a day of judgment.  

But these are just the first principles. Paul rebuked them saying they should be eating strong meat (hard messages to chew on) yet they were still desiring and seeking for the milk of the Word (things easy to swallow and soothing).  

He said their ears were dull and they weren't hearing what they needed to hear nor were they understanding what they should be understanding.  They should be teachers yet they were still babies in understanding of the Word. Understanding comes through daily Bible reading (not just the Promises but the entire Bible, front to back cover),  daily quality prayer time spent with Jesus,  and faithful Church attendance for it is through the Preacher,  preaching, and teaching that our understanding opens and grows. 

Let us go on unto perfection (let us grow up in the wisdom,  knowledge and understanding of the Word of God), and exercise our senses to be able to discern between good and evil (that will come through knowledge of the Word and consistent daily prayer which draws us closer to God so we can hear what His Spirit is saying). 

Are you still drinking and desiring milk (things easy to swallow and are soothing)? 

Or are you able to chew on and swallow the strong meat of the Word? 

Scriptures concerning baptisms (all Scripare KJV) :

Acts 2:38-39,41, John 3:1-7, Mark 16:16-17, Acts 2:1-4,16-18, Acts 4:12, Acts 8:12-17, Acts 12:44-48, Acts 19:1-6, Gal 3:27, Romans 6:3-6, Romans 8:9-11, Colossians 2:12, 

Sharing memories of God answering prayer

Sharing memories.....

As we were sitting on the back deck watching the storm roll in, this scenery reminded of the picture memory I shared recently about God answering my prayer many years ago for it not to rain over Tioga since i had work to do.

Then, another memory flooded my mind of another prayer God had answered.   I was at work and it was another stormy rainy day. It was pouring down and nearing the time that my children would be getting out of school,  onto the bus, then have a long walk in the pouring rain to our cabin. 

I did not have anyone to pick them up for me and I couldn't leave work so I kept praying and pleading with God for the rain to stop so they wouldn't get drenched. Time passed, it was still pouring down,  and I knew they were already home.  My heart was heavy. The kids had already been through so much but I had to give it to God. 

When I arrived home to Tioga from Alexandria,  I asked if they had to walk in the rain? They told me no.  It had stopped raining just before they got on the bus and didn't start again until after they were safely inside.  God heard this widow's prayer and cares deeply for the fatherless.  

That's my Jesus! 🙌❤️

The memory and post I was referring to.....

Acts 22:16 - Why Are You Delaying?

 And now why tarriest thou?  

- - - (Why are you delaying?)

arise,  - - - (get up!)

and be baptized, 

and wash away thy sins, 

- - - (Baptism washes away your sins)

calling on the name of the Lord.

- - - (what is the name of the Lord? Jesus - Acts 2:38)

  — Acts 22:16 (KJV)

Jesus said he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16)

Did you know? Jesus taught Peter and the Disciples how to baptize (John 4:1-2)

Peter remembered what Jesus said later on as recorded in Matthew 28:19 and yet he still commanded them to be baptized in the NAME of JESUS in Acts 2:38.

Did you notice?....None of the other Apostles argued with Peter that it was not how Jesus said to baptize. 

Why? Because Jesus had already taught them HOW to baptize and WHO He was. 

They understood what Jesus was instructing in Mt 28:19 and knew that Peter instructed correctly. 

We do not find record anywhere that they baptized any other way than in the Name of Jesus.

Repentance gives you forgiveness but the stain of sin is still there.

Water Baptism in the name of Jesus washes those sins away. 

Have you been baptized in the Name of Jesus? 

What are you waiting for?

Arise, 

Repent of your sins,

and be baptized in the name of Jesus