The Fruit of the Spirit

Have you ever wondered why God used the fruit to illustrate this particular topic? He could have used the Leaf of the Spirit or the Flower of the Spirit. Let me tell you what I know about the fruit from a horticultural point of view. I hope that it will lead us to understand the reason for the Fruit of the Spirit.


The Fruit is the ultimate outcome of growth and development. A plant that is well-rooted and properly nourished plant grows and eventually bears fruit. A plant that is unhealthy and nutritionally deficient does not bear fruit.  In like manner, only the healthy and growing Christian bears fruit. The apostle Paul described the concept of growing in his letter to the church in Colossae - “We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” (Col. 1:9-12)

The Fruit is meant for others. The fruit is not for the one that bears it. A tree does not benefit from its fruit. The animals and the birds and humans are the ones that are attracted and fed by the fruits. Love, joy, faithfulness, gentleness, goodness, peace, etc. are all meant to benefit others. They are not for us but those around us. The fruit of the spirit attracts others to us so that they would catch the seed - the same seed that we received through God's grace. Remember what God said to Adam and Eve before they were kicked out of Eden – “Go and multiply”. They were commanded to reproduce their kind. Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew (28:18-20) “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…” We are commanded to let others know what makes us the way we are. The fruit of the spirit is the appetizing color, fragrance, and sweetness that attract those who are hungry. The fruit of the spirit is the standing invitation for others to come and take shelter around us so that they too may receive the grace that we already received from Christ.

The Fruit bears the seed. The fruit is a seed carrier. We all enjoy the seedless fruits that we buy from the grocery stores because they are so easy to eat. But let me tell you – Seedless fruits are abnormal fruits. Seedless fruits are not performing what they are supposed to do in the natural sense of life. Their services end where the fruits are eaten or when they rot. God intended for the fruit to carry the possibility of a new life. Our life as Christians should bear the fruit that carries the seed of the knowledge of Christ.   In the eyes of God, the seeded fruit is more valuable than its seedless counterpart.

We live and the world watches us.  Our behavior and actions reveal that which controls us - the flesh or the Spirit.

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.

 ~ Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Love: Value-Changer

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV

In our society we associate superiority with things like knowledge, faith, service, possessions and giftedness.  These are all great things to have because they provide us with a greater capacity to perform.  Performance matter and we see the reward we get from them as the end.  And yet based on these verses there is something very crucial in the process that makes all our endeavors and giftedness either count or not.   Love is the ingredient that makes our performances a pleasing music instead of annoying noise to God and those around us.

What is love anyway?  The love as mentioned in the verse above is not the emotion that causes you to give up everything you have in order to get what you desire.  For example I give flowers to my friend so that she'll think I'm a generous person.  To give in order to get something in return is love of self.   Love is giving up something that is of value to you for the pleasure and glorification of the one we love without conditions.  It is like changing the price tag of the one we love to be greater than the treasure that we are giving up. God is the perfect example of love.  When He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us, He pulled off our clearance-sale-tag (appropriate for detestable sinners) to a price tag that is greater than the value placed on His only Son with whom He is well-pleased.  Imagine sending your own son to die so that a murderous, moneyless and slandering pagan would be allowed to come live a good life with you in your own house.  God sacrificed His Son so that we, the peoples of the world would be saved and be qualified to partake of eternal life of joy and abundance with Him.  That is love.  Love is the thought that compels the heart to put self aside for the sake of holding someone in high regard.   That is what God meant when He said, "Love your God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength... and love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Lk. 10:27) When we love we raise our brother's value over our comfort and security; in return love in our actions makes us of value in the eyes of the true judge - God.

We can have all the knowledge, faith, and works but if we do not have love we are nothing... It's time to rethink of love.

Daily Ponderings: Psalm 2

Where is your Allegiance
Recommended reading: Psalm 2

The second chapter of the book of psalms foretells of the coming of the Messiah.  It talks about the wretched behavior of nations towards God (v.1-5), the sovereignty of God and coming of His anointed one to come and rule the earth (v.4-9), and warning to the kings of the earth (v.10-12).   Although we are not kings nor rulers of the earth all of us are part of the nations that they lead and we, whether intentional of not, influence those who are watching us.

Sometimes the word of God is very straight forward and very pointed.  These verses speak of how insignificant we are in relation to God and his power.  Yet He loves us and through His Words he speaks to us, his creation, in order to allow us a chance to choose to follow Him.  Mankind was created and modeled after perfection - God himself (Genesis 1:27).  He provided us with all the potential to become citizens of His kingdom to enjoy His abundant love and blessings.  Man was made in God's image but God left him to master his own heart.  He had to be the one to direct his own heart. 

In January 1991, I came to the USA on a fiancé visa.  Tim and I got married and after a couple of years I got my Green Card, which legalized my permanent residence in this country.   For a while that was enough for me.  However, having a green card does not qualify me to all the rights and privileges of a citizen.  For example: I need a visa whenever we go to another country; and I am not allowed to vote even if I have very strong opinions about matters that are being decided upon on elections.  These restrictions prompted me to try to get my US citizenship; filled out all necessary forms; made sure I had all the required documents; and studied the book called "Citizenship for Dummies" for the test.  Then I was ready, or I thought I was.  In the very back of the book is a sample of the oath for the final step to becoming a citizen.   The words to the oath shocked me.  To pledge my allegiance to the USA is no problem for me.  I love the USA!  However that is not enough - I must also denounce my loyalty to the Philippines.  "This is like a divorce!", I said.  "Let me think about it." 

God wants to have complete allegiance from His people.  He is a jealous God and shares His throne in your heart with no one.  He will bless those who take refuge in Him with inheritance that's beyond what we can imagine.  While those who are against Him will be simply crushed and destroyed because they did not present a "masterpiece heart" that pleased Him.   If you are still relying on something less than God for a good life and inheritance then your loyalty does not reside in Him.  "Kiss the Son lest he be angry...Blessed are all who take refuge in him." (Psalm 2:12)

One of these days, I will use my wise judgment to go raise my right hand and pledge to be loyal to this country at all costs.  :)

Dear Father, most holy and loving God, you are my refuge, my provider, and my deliverer.  I heard your voice when you called me.  Thank you.  Here I am bowed down at your feet ready to serve you. 

Revelation (Part 1)

God gave us the scriptures so that we would understand his character, his love and his plans so that we would know how to live accordingly.   The Old Testament is a compilation of stories, poetry and songs about God and His people.  We like to read them because their lives back then are often detached from our current lives that we look at their it as a "then"  Sometimes we are reluctant to study the Book of Revelation because of a preconceived idea that it is hard to understand.  We convince ourselves that it is full of symbolisms and deep secrets that only theology scholars could successfully interpret and understand.  However, symbols and parables are used throughout the bible - when God had a message for his people He used scenarios that make sense to us.  When God unveils a truth He intends it to prompt a reaction from those who hears it.  God did not give us an impossible puzzle in the book that was intended to enlighten the churches on "what must soon take place".

The Women's Ministry at Cornerstone is currently offering a bible study on Revelation.  As a by-product of my personal devotion and beyond what Beth Moore explains ("Here and Now...There and Then"), I will write a commentary on the book of Revelation.   Since the book shows a detailed and complete picture of what's to come, I will in particular focus on the things that would affect the way I view God and thus the way I live now.  To the churches to whom this message was revealed and to us who are now reading this book, the information contained in this revelation provide compelling reasons to re-evaluate life for a change.   These are not meant to be added in our data bank for us to pull out when ever we want to.  No.  In fact it was meant to be revealed to us for the purpose of heightening our knowledge of Jesus Christ - which would in turn serve as a basis of the choices we make in this life.  In an era where people treat the future as something "man-made", it is time to realize that the future has two destinations.  One is a road to eternal life with God and the other is a dead end where there is eternal judgment.  One is a reward and the other a punishment; one is glorious life the other is unimaginable torment.  We will be sorted according to the way we responded to the One True King.   

Revelation 1:1-9

"Blessed is the one who reads, hears and take to heart..." (Rev. 1:3).  There are three verbs that are mentioned in the third verse of the first chapter as actions that qualify someone to be considered blessed.  Reading, hearing and taking to heart the words of the book do not bring magical or mystical blessedness.  But it is the choice we make as a result of the knowledge revealed to us that makes us blessed or not.  All these were given to us so that we would know the truth and thus live by it.  Everything was revealed to us because God Himself wanted us to change. 

To the seven churches...   The church is the collective term that refers to the body of believers in Jesus Christ. This revelation was made for the church - those who already considered themselves followers of Christ.  It is not for those who are uninformed; nor is it for those who refuse to believe Him.  It is for them who got the idea.  If you believe in Jesus Christ then this message is intended for your eyes, ears, and heart.
About Jesus Christ - Jesus Christ is revealed.   The churches are now up for a new revelation.  They have known him as the Messiah since John the Baptist.  Some of these people to whom the revelation was made known saw Jesus live, teach, die and resurrected. At the writing of the Revelation it's been many years since they saw Jesus ascend into heaven.  Their hopes are beginning to weaken, faiths are being contaminated with the traditions of the world, and the pressures of life are pushing Christians to compromise their spiritual integrity.  The book of Revelation reveals Jesus Christ once more but in a way that they have not seen nor imagined before.  Through John they get a glimpse of events that will happen in the future when the Jesus Christ takes tramples those who did not believe in Him and rewards those who will be on His side.

The Alpha and Omega - who is, who was and who is to come (Rev 1:8) - The same Jesus who in the beginning was the Word (John 1:1), is the same Jesus who came and live among us and crucified, is the same Jesus who is revealed in the pages of the book will come back and reign as the King of all kings.  We have no way of escaping Him!  Be warned therefore lest we will be caught by surprise.

Another Beginning

So we are going to have a new director for the Women's Ministry at Cornerstone.   When Nancy Wroblewski announced that Josie Ross will succeed her - there was this awkward silence that followed.  I don't know if I am alone in the "uninformed group" but it came as a double surprise to me.  Why is Nancy leaving her post?  Why Josie?   These are not uncommon questions when new things happen.  We trust those who made decision and expect no answers but we ask them rhetorically anyway.  

Ten years have passed since my family started attending this church.  So far Josie will be the fifth women's ministry leader that I've seen.  This would give an average of two and a half years for a leader to stay.  That is not very long at all especially if a new leader has some innovations to bring into the ministry.   One might say that I have seen many.  I have seen authority, industry, and passion that came with every leader.   The one thing that I have not seen so far is vision.  One of the qualities of a good leader is clear vision.   To which direction will this new leader guide the women to?  Considering the numerous options around, a good leader must be able to lay out long term goals that truly reflect the faith and convictions of those involved.   Stick to those goals and determine ways to achieve them.  The world presents us with many options and tells us what to do.  In the absence of a guiding blueprint, anyone can guess what the outcome would be.

This is yet another beginning in our Women's Ministry.  Plans are being made.  Some changes are starting to happen.  I can only hope that this is not ningas kugon.   May God be glorified under this new leadership.
 

"The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain trumpet."

~Theodore M. Hesburgh

Love Them

“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” ~ Hebrews 6:10

How can I show love to an invisible God?  This is not a mystery.  God left us with very specific instructions on how to love and work for His sake.  The extent of our concern and help to the "poor and less fortunate" is an expression of our love for God.  This is very scary to me because we are a generation of people who like to take care of ourselves.   The average person would act only for himself and his immediate family.  We play God to fix our own problems and to meet our own needs.  We depend so much on ourselves.  We push and push until we are exhausted trying to find our own hope, purpose and fulfillment.  On the contrary, according to Hebrews 6:10, when the time comes when God rewards or judges us He will refer on the records of the love we showed Him through helping His people.  We ought to act like God in meeting other's needs - unconditionally generous.  This is a God-prescribed formula - allowing Him to take care of you while you take care of someone else.  This is amazing! 

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' ~ Matthew 25:40

Does my life show that I love God?  What am I doing to show it?  Oh my God, help me to love 'them' as I would love you.  Help me to depend on you for myself so that I can see and act beyond my own concerns. 

Entitlement

Entitlement says "I deserve something.  I am qualified for a privilege.  I have the right and I must have it." 

We all get into this situation sometimes.   There are many ways in which we find ourselves fighting for what we believe we should have.  In the airplane one might say, "I am entitled to that little leg room under your chair!  So please take your bag out of my space!"   A child may say to his parents, "How come I don't have an iPhone?  You are being unfair to me!"  I believe that entitlement opens the door to mediocrity and shuts the way to understanding and reason. When we begin to claim for a privilege, we narrow down our focus and lose track of other opportunities.  That prerogative, when given enough emphasis, eventually overwhelms our ability to reason.

Jonah (Read Jonah Chapter 4) for example, believed that he is entitled to the shade from the vine, forgetting that he did not have any thing to do with its existence.  When the worm ate the leaves, he got upset because all of a sudden he was exposed to unfavorable heat. 

But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.  But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

 Today a mother upset by a 30-minute change in schedule to accommodate a group piano practice was very angry.   Obviously her son did not let her know about it.  The mother did not plan and was not prepared for this change so she questioned and yelled at the teacher and could not be appeased.  She was determined to insist on who-knows-what - that she was not going to listen to any explanation.  The thirty-minute change in schedule was enough reason for her to ruin her relationship with her son's teacher.  Right there and then she was setting a not-so-dignified witness to her child and the rest of the students who were watching.

"Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right."  ~ Isaac Asimov

Many times we are like Jonah - we put our own agenda on top of everything because we think that we deserve all the success, comfort, good treatment, and blessings of this world.   Think again and evaluate "the heart" in relation to the things that we desire to have and do.  It could be that in the pursuit and protection of whatever we want we harden our shells and prevent our chance to grow outward.  It could be that we are willing to give up the other beautiful things just because of something we know we deserve.  We miss our chance to choose what is right because we are too busy fighting for the right way things should be done.   How many times have I seen this happen?  Beware!  (especially me).   God wants us to be beautiful and loving people.  He wants us to flourish...yet when we have enclosed ourselves with a hardened shell, He may need to break us in order for a new life to begin in us. 

The bible says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind.   Love your neighbor as you love yourself."  If we follow this commandments then what is the essence of entitlement?  Null. 

Father, help me to remember that my relationship with you is far more valuable than anything that I can get entitled to..  Help me to choose you at all times.