The Fruit of the Spirit Is Not a Coconut!

Today's message is from Pastor Kathy

... The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generousity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. (Galatians 5:22-23, NRSV)

Several years ago, one of the congregations I served organized a "Kids Cafe" to help feed kids during the summer. We wanted to feed them spiritually as well as physically so we built the program around the theme of the fruits of the Spirit. I found a song on youtube called "The Fruits of the Spirit" which taught Galatians 5:22 in a fun way. (Google it - there are several versions recorded.) The title for today comes from the song.

One of the joys of being a Christian is that we have the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit stengthens our faith, encourages us, comforts us, abides with us. Each of us has particular gifts for ministry given to us by the Holy Spirit. When we live in the Spirit, following God's will for our lives, we will bear the fruits of the Spirit.

As I look at the list, I recognize that many of the items on Paul's list do not come naturally to me. My human nature (what Paul calls the flesh) is more prone to complaining, lack of self discipline, anger, envy, etc. Only when I consciously try to live in Christ's love and attempt to share His love and his teachings with others do I experience the peace of God even in the midst of life's tumults.

I believe that, as a Christian and as an ordained minister of the Gospel, it is my God-given mission to share God's unconditional love with others. This is easier some days than others and I find some people more loveable than others. I have learned, when I am dealing with someone who seems to ME to have no redeeming qualities, to remind myself that Christ died for that person as surely as he died for me. I admit that thought always stops me short and helps me to love that person for Christ's sake.

None of us exhibits all the fruits of the Spirit all the time. Our natural feelings and thoughts often keep us from being the people God calls us to be. The blessing is that as God's children, each day is a new day; our sins and failures are forgiven and we can try again to live in the Spirit of God, bearing the fruits of the Spirit as we live lives that are faithful to God.

Prayer for today: Dearest Father, we thank you for all the gifts you give us, for the sacrifice of your Son, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit to accompany us in life's journey. Help us to bear the fruits of the Spirit each day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.