Devotionals
What if we so resembled our Father that people didn’t have to ask if we are his children?
You see my brother looks just like our dad. The older he gets the more he sounds like dad. People that knew him will always say, when they run into Chris, ‘you must be Johnnies boy.’ While there is a resemblance to our earthly father, what if we resembled our Heavenly Father? What if people stopped us on the street and said, ‘hey I know your Father.’
Galatians 5:22-25 AMP
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
People will recognize the love of God in us if the fruits of the Spirit are active! They may not be able to give it a name, but they will know!
Have you ever met a total stranger and there was a connection, it didn’t take long to figure out they were followers of Christ! What was it you recognized? Was it peace? How about love radiating from every word or simply their smile? Did they have a joy that was unspeakable?
Do people know who your Father is because you announce it, wear the t-shirt and have a bumper sticker or do you have such a relationship with your Father that you do not have to tell people you’re a Christian, they just know, because there is a resemblance?
Do you walk in arrogance, have a spirit of pride? Do people run when they see you coming because you’re not well known for gentleness? Are you longsuffering with those around you, or does everyone get on your nerves? Are you abrasive pointing out everyone’s sinfulness? Could you be the Pharisee that prayed, Lord I thank thee that I am not like this man?
The scripture says But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is . . .
When the Holy Spirit is active and alive within us, then we will produce characteristics that cause us to resemble our Father! This is what people will see:
Love
Joy
Peace
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance
Who do you look like?
Heavenly Father, we want to resemble you! We want to replace the facades of self-righteousness and have the fruits of the Spirit working abundantly in our lives! We want those we meet to see you, and to come to know you through our walk! We desire to have your work accomplished in our lives! In Jesus Name we humbly pray, AMEN
© Jounda LaMance December 8, 2006
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Quote-"wear the t-shirt and have a bumper sticker..." I used to attend a large church that was several miles outside town. Thousands would rush to get there; so much so that the folks who lived along the way would protest. Not so much about the number of passing cars, but the speed of those cars. They were referred to as "Flying Fish" as most of them had the Ichthus fish decal on the back. It was then I realized & learned to not use bumper stickers or wear "witnessing" shirts. It was in this way that the Lord showed me a few things about the "adornment of the heart". Your article was a reminder and as usual, was well written.
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