Two Gifts from God

There are two gifts from God that comes with placing one’s faith in the Gospel. The first is forgiveness of sins. We are justified by faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

The result is we are accounted as righteous in the eyes of God. We live out of this new reality by faith which expresses itself through love. (Galatians 5:6).

The second gift is the Holy Spirit. Everyone who is in Christ is “baptized by the Spirit” and is now able to experience His presence. (I Corinthians 12:13).

By walking in faith and following Jesus, the Spirit is able to produce the “fruit” that Paul describes in chapter 5 of Galatians. These spiritual qualities can be experienced right away as a new Chrisitan.

But, in order for them to ripen and become dominant in our character, we need to practice the way of Jesus. There is no law that can produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Our own sinful nature will not produce the fruit of the Spirit. More than likely, our sinful nature will move us away from these qualities of character.

The only way to experience the fruit of the Spirit is to re-order our life around the practices of Jesus. Rest, eliminating hurry, silence, solitude, prayer and feeding on the Word of God are just some of the practices that we see in Jesus. Worship, community, generosity, hospitality are also part of the new lifestyle that will produce fruitfulness.

The reality is that it will take intentionality, commitment and time for God to truly change us! I know very little about vineyards.

What I have seen on television programs that interview people that own vineyards, is that it takes quite a bit of time and care to produce good grapes.

It seems to be the same way in the life of the Spirit! But, God can grow us into people of the Way! Let us all be committed to good practice and release the life of the Spirit!

  Pastor Fred