We are continuing with the introduction to the Book of Philippians as we see Paul's theme of joy and rejoicing established throughout the book.
In the example Paul set for us, his first and foremost reminder is for us to be followers of Christ. When we read about the fruit of the Spirit in Gal.5:22-23, sometimes we might miss what Paul was saying as He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to pen those words. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is actually the character of God. It is not just what God does, it is who God is.
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
God loves us as an action, (not the feeling thing which we seem to dwell on so much). True Biblical agape love is more than what God has done or what He will do. True Biblical agape love is who God is. God is love. The same can be true with each one of the fruit of the Spirit.
1 John 4:8 ESV Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
God exercises, releases and gives joy as an action, (not as a feeling). God is joy, it is His character. God exercises, releases and gives peace as an action, (not as a feeling). God is peace, it is His character. This is the example that Paul followed and walked in, and admonishes us to do the same as believers.
Imagine, having joy that is not controlled through emotional zeal. Imagine, being able to express joy out of obedience to the character of God (the fruit of the Spirit), no matter what our emotions are doing. No matter if our emotions are that of being happy or sad, hurt or accepted, loved or hated, we can bring the emotions under subjection to the Spirit, the Word, and the Character of God within us and have joy unspeakable and full of glory as an act of obedience.
In the example Paul set for us, his first and foremost reminder is for us to be followers of Christ. When we read about the fruit of the Spirit in Gal.5:22-23, sometimes we might miss what Paul was saying as He was inspired by the Holy Spirit to pen those words. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is actually the character of God. It is not just what God does, it is who God is.
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
God loves us as an action, (not the feeling thing which we seem to dwell on so much). True Biblical agape love is more than what God has done or what He will do. True Biblical agape love is who God is. God is love. The same can be true with each one of the fruit of the Spirit.
1 John 4:8 ESV Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
God exercises, releases and gives joy as an action, (not as a feeling). God is joy, it is His character. God exercises, releases and gives peace as an action, (not as a feeling). God is peace, it is His character. This is the example that Paul followed and walked in, and admonishes us to do the same as believers.
Imagine, having joy that is not controlled through emotional zeal. Imagine, being able to express joy out of obedience to the character of God (the fruit of the Spirit), no matter what our emotions are doing. No matter if our emotions are that of being happy or sad, hurt or accepted, loved or hated, we can bring the emotions under subjection to the Spirit, the Word, and the Character of God within us and have joy unspeakable and full of glory as an act of obedience.
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