Bearing the fruits of the Spirit

[missmuffet]

If you were arrested for being a Christian would there

be enough evidence to convict you?

[farouk]

2 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

If you were arrested for being a Christian would there

be enough evidence to convict you?

Good way of putting it...........

[BornAgain490]

2 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

If you were arrested for being a Christian would there

be enough evidence to convict you?

In the USA, if it becomes a crime to be a Christian, there must first be probable cause in order to make an arrest.  There would be probable cause to arrest me for being a Christian, and I would plead GUILTY AS CHARGED. 

[BK1110]

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:2-13)

Notice the flow of thought: Paul first tells us broadly how to live, then he grounds it on Christ and His example. Again, notice how broad it is; do NOTHING from selfish ambition or conceit. Quite literally then, we should be constantly asking ourselves if what we are doing, saying, and thinking reflects evil selfishness or Christlike selflessness.

Notice at the end Paul tells us to work out (live out) our salvation because God is working in us. God is, by His Holy Spirit living in us, supernaturally causing our desire to live selflessly to grow and increase, and because of that we should be working (living) that reality out. It sounds like a chicken/egg paradox. A pastor once said that sometimes we have to do our way into feeling; we realize what we should do, we realize our sin nature makes us not want to do it, but our justified nature wants our sin nature to be changed. The solution is to DO what we know we should and PRAY each day that God would work in us and through us, in and through our doing, to supernaturally change our desires so that more and more it becomes natural and not forced. The praying is key; ask God each day to help you live selflessly. Ask Him to keep His promises to change and grow you as you obey Him. Tell him you want Him to change you so that you increase in your desire for His ways. Remember the cry of the father of the demon-possessed man:

And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24)

He realized the truth but also realized he was having trouble accepting the truth. He didn't just try harder; he cried out to Jesus to help him fight his unbelief. Jesus responded with a miracle in front of his eyes.

[Figure of eighty]

17 hours ago, Tristen said:

A tree doesn't have to "do" anything to bear fruit. The type and quality of fruit manifests as an outworking of the inner health of the tree.

But don't you have to do something to achieve inner health?

[Tristen]

On 11/15/2024 at 3:02 PM, Figure of eighty said:

But don't you have to do something to achieve inner health?

You "have to" sincerely confess Jesus Christ as Lord (and thus Savior), and thereby freely receive the indwelling Life of God. The fruit stems from having that Life/Breath/Spirit flowing through us - i.e. choosing to walk in that Life rather than the death of our old, reprobate self.

 

[Neighbor]

On 11/14/2024 at 12:34 PM, missmuffet said:

If you were arrested for being a Christian would there

be enough evidence to convict you?

Hmm interesting, perhaps not; not if I did not let my left hand know what  my right hand  was doing and so never claimed credit but instead let recipients praise God not me.

[kwikphilly]

On 11/15/2024 at 12:02 AM, Figure of eighty said:

But don't you have to do something to achieve inner health?

Inner health? Meaning?

You know the ole saying

" Let go Let God" ?

As @Tristen said above..... you " have to" SINCERELY

By "confessing"that is a matter of the heart,a sincere repentant heart.Perhaps I'd describe it as though your heart becomes so heavy,just weighing down all of your being thst you can just take it in your hands and hand it over to Jesus.....

Pray Psalm 51:10-12

Inner health? A new heart,a new and right spirit,His Presence,Holy Spirit  Restoration- Sustain in me a WILLING spirit..sounds like inner healthiness to me!Willingness to Let go & Let God ....

Praise Jesus!

With love in Christ,Kwik

 

 

 

 

[farouk]

1 minute ago, kwikphilly said:

Inner health? Meaning?

You know the ole saying

" Let go Let God" ?

As @Tristen said above..... you " have to" SINCERELY

By "confessing"that is a matter of the heart,a sincere repentant heart.Perhaps I'd describe it as though your heart becomes so heavy,just weighing down all of your being thst you can just take it in your hands and hand it over to Jesus.....

Pray Psalm 51:10-12

Inner health? A new heart,a new and right spirit,His Presence,Holy Spirit  Restoration- Sustain in me a WILLING spirit..sounds like inner healthiness to me!Willingness to Let go & Let God ....

Praise Jesus!

With love in Christ,Kwik

 

 

 

 

Hi @kwikphilly Reminds me also of Acts 15.9: "purifying their hearts by faith".

[kwikphilly]

On 11/14/2024 at 12:34 PM, missmuffet said:

If you were arrested for being a Christian would there

be enough evidence to convict you?

I surely hope so- I hope I'd be like Paul sitting in prison writing Letters of Joy and preaching the Good News!

We are constantly accused of NOT being a Christian by those that claim to be our own Brothers and Sisters,even they don't know good Fruit when they see it so I don't think evidence would matter..... if accused of being Christian got you arrested then off to the Guillotine you go!It's already happening in the world