Not too long ago I was reflecting on my faith and was measuring how much I've changed. I did notice some changes. I guess it is a good thing. But as I started to think about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, I got scared.
Yes, in many people's eyes I seem to be a very good Christian. If so, why is it that I don't have any real fruits on my tree? I'm not trying to be all "oh no, I suck...boohoo ='(" No. I was just wondering why I produced so few and maybe didn't produce any fruits after so many years.
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-Control, Faithfulness, and Gentleness. Where are you all?
I noticed that they're not there is because when I try to act them out, it got very difficult and became a very frustrating matter for me. All these fruits should come naturally. But I had to make an effort every day only to fail miserably. I literally had to tell myself "I'm going to be nice today. I'm going to be nice today. I'm going to be nice today." I can probably last for a few hours and would find a reason to hate on people and be angry at them again.
Growing up at church, I've read Galatians 5 many many times. But honestly, I don't think I get it. So I did some research and listened to sermons specifically for this passage. One by John Piper did not focus on the Fruits, rather he focused on what is contrary to the Fruits; acts of the flesh.
Piper explains that the acts of the flesh does not mean the physical body, but of the heart. These acts stems from the heart; it is a heart problem. And the reason for this is because we feel that people owe us something. Piper used jealousy as an example. We feel jealousy towards other people only because we feel we are deserving of something (i.e. a promotion) or that we have earned the right to that something but that something is given to other people instead.
Fact is, we came with nothing. Even this air I'm breathing right now is borrowed from God. If we're going to talk about owing people, we are the ones who owe God.
Anyways, I thought it was a nice thing that Campus Challenge was focusing a bit on Faith and Works and Dead Works (The topic was very timely for me). I've always thought that I should be doing these works because I should and because the Bible says so. But that shouldn't be the case. Works should be done naturally as a response to God's love and grace which results in a changed heart. Works should also be done so that God's glory, grace, and power can be revealed to those who have yet to see and have yet to understand.
We should always remember that our purpose is to worship God and making much of Him.
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31