Encouragement
In our assembly we are approaching the end of a series of teaching on the topic, ‘The Fruit of The Spirit’. You can find this in Galatians 5:22-23. After reflecting on last Sunday’s sermon which focussed on ‘Gentleness’, I wrote a prayer (shared at the end of this article). In my experience, I found that no matter how well I may think I’m doing in this area, every now and then I get caught off guard. So I wrote this prayer to remind myself of my conversation with God about gentleness. It therefore provides some form of accountability and alerts me to the temptation of wanting to reply based on the hostility of others. Instead of a mirror reply (hostility for hostility) I may respond to the issue at hand in a Christ-like manner.
I now share it with you, so that (if you are a believer) it may be a reminder to you that in every area of temptation God has already made a way of escape for you. May it also remind you that you already possess the fruit of the Spirit and now need to exercise those characteristics so that they can develop in your life, helping you to be a living example of the gospel.
The events or circumstances presented as obstacles in our path can be seen as opportunities for us to grow in the knowledge of Christ—for the fruit of the Spirit to develop in us. Remember now, we are not perfect, we are mere humans so we will make mistakes from time to time. When that happens we have the opportunity to continue showing love through humility—being repentant—seeking forgiveness for the wrong done! We have the gift of reconciliation but we need to heed the instructions of James 4:7 in resisting the devil so he may flee and drawing near to God so He will draw near to us. That will help us to activate the gift of reconciliation while we focus our thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable according to Philippians 4:8.
It is an expression of love to say, ‘Sorry!’ when we wrong others. It is also an expression of love when we accept that apology and forgive those who have wronged us. This is what Matthew 6:12 teaches us, “…forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” To forgive is to have mercy on others extending grace. It is easier to receive grace than to extend it to others. But the fact that we have received such grace we must learn from the error of our ways so we may not repeat the offense and we must extend to others the same grace extended to us.
Remember that we are more than conquerors (see Rom 8:31-39) and we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13). He will not ask us to do anything that He will not give us the strength/courage/ability to do. His grace is sufficient for us.
Be courageous and walk in the Spirit, instead of in the flesh (according to your old nature—following your natural human instincts). 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us that God gave us the Spirit of power, love and self-control. Therefore, we have the power to overcome evil with good. We have overwhelming love to uproot that seed of bitterness/hatred from our hearts. We also have the ability to speak or act from that place of love as we exercise self-control. Yet, it is still a choice.
We all have the choice to accept and exercise, or reject and deny, the spirit of power, love and self-control. To accept exercise/use this precious gift is to close the door to doubt and fear and open the door to a prosperous lifestyle. To reject and deny this gift, we will fail to exercise it and that puts us in line with the wicked servant we read about in Luke 19. We have the choice to hide our precious gift, where neither us nor those around us can benefit from its use.
I urge you today, search within and see if you are acting like that wicked servant or a faithful servant. If you are not being faithful, in honouring the Word of God, then it is time to lay down the fears and cast your cares upon Him. Then in obedience take up your cross and follow Him.
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Dear heavenly Father,
Today, I seek your help in living out Proverbs 17:17 in being that friend who loves at all times. Help me to love despite the hatred towards me, the feeling of rejection, the pain, and the heartache. Where I’m lacking knowledge, help me to continue the process of seeking. Help me not to get weary on the journey. Help me to patiently wait for that perfect time when you will reveal those things to me.
With Your Spirit of gentleness, growing inside me, I know that the transformation process will not cease. It will transform my thoughts, my attitude towards others and the troubled relationships around me.
When next I face the hostility of others, please help me to give a gentle answer, so it may turn away the wrath. Help me not to reply with harsh words, for harsh words will stir up anger. I thank You for Your Spirit of self-control, for it helps me to honour You in this area of my life. When I mirror the offensive ways of others, may your spirit convict me of the wrong, that I may repent of my evil ways, Seek the forgiveness of those I’ve wronged and say sorry to You for not being a true representative of your Love.
Even when those I’ve wronged failed to forgive me, may I accept Your forgiveness and be reminded that: Your love is unending and Your grace extends boundaries. Then help me in my speech and actions, to show Your love to one and all.
Amen.
© J. S. Ramkissoon 2015
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