Fruit of the Spirit - 4 Longsuffering

The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering. The kindness of God included His longsuffering toward us. We too can walk in longsuffering knowing God can use it to reach the unlovely.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering.  When teaching begins on the Fruit of the Spirit we get excited about love, joy, and peace.  However, longsuffering, God I’m not sure I signed up for this.  By inference alone it does not sound pleasant; can it possibly hold a value that glorifies God?  Answer with another question.  Did the longsuffering of Christ yield something good in every believer?

Galatians 5:16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Some have viewed this passage as a never ending battle and the believer walks in chaos between the walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh for all their life.  The truth of the matter, tradition has taught us that!  If we view the word carefully we shall see the intended purpose of God.  Verse 24 holds the key to rightly dividing the truth.  Christ has taken ownership of the believer.  If you belong to Christ you have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Verse 25 is not some unachievable truth that we must spend the remaining of our lives working toward.  It is coming and abiding in Christ and the fruit of the Spirit will be produced.  However, it is a choice and a pursuit of that choice.

LONGSUFFERING:

3115. makrothumia, mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah; from the same as G3116; longanimity, i.e. (obj.) forbearance or (subj.) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.  Patient endurance of hardship, injuries, or offense.

2 Peter 3:14  Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;  15  and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

Verse 15 is so powerful… consider the longsuffering of our Lord and Savior and what it produced in our lives.  God is longsuffering because his heart is to bring as many to salvation as possible.  We are commanded to consider the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.  Meditate on the truth His longsuffering has produced a harvest of men being reconciled to God.

Ephesians 4:1  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,  2  with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,  3  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Longsuffering is not something we have to conjure up in our old man.  When we became new creations in Christ Jesus, longsuffering was put in us.  As we yield to the goodness of God it will produce the fruit of the Spirit including longsuffering.  Paul is begging the church to walk worthy by submitting to and walking in longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. 

Romans 15:1  We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.  3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.“  4  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  5  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  6  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7  Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Longsuffering is characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit.  We who are strong have been called to bear with the scruples of the weak.  Being patient with the weak has the power to strengthen the weak.  Being intolerable of the weak can drive them off.  God calls the strong to bear with the infirmities of the weak.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded…  Receive the weak as Christ received you!  While you were still a sinner Christ died for you!

Romans 2:4  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering of God leads to repentance.  Let it change your prayer life for those who are doing you wrong.  God if your goodness leads to repentance let the sinner man see your goodness.  God if your goodness and longsuffering lead to repentance let me imitate my Savior’s longsuffering.

Colossians 1:9  For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  10  that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

I pray that every believer will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  This prayer is for the body of Christ to be fruitful in every good work.

Colossians 1:11  strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12  giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,  14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

God wants to strengthen you with His might for all patience and longsuffering with joy.  It is amazing how longsuffering is connected to the joy of the Lord.  When you see that your longsuffering can do a loving work in someone else’s life you can go through with joy.  The bases of longsuffering with joy comes from the greatness of the work the Father has done in our own lives.  The Father Himself has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  The Father bringing us redemption is the source of strength for our longsuffering toward others.

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  4  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Verse 2 is the focal point.  Jesus, who the for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.  You believer friend are the joy set before Him.  He could see His suffering could bring many sons to glory.  You are the desire of God and it brought Him pleasure to allow His only begotten Son to suffer that He might gain you.  Yes, the fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering.

The Fruit of the Spirit - 3 Peace

The fruit of the Spirit is peace... God's intended purpose is for the peace of God to rule and reign in our hearts. The blood of Jesus has bought us our peace with God.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

We have come unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  We are called to walk in the Spirit.  As we walk in the Spirit we will bear all the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:5  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  6  Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,  7  in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.  8  But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  9  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,  10  and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,  11  where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

One cannot speak of walking in the Spirit without understanding walking in the works of the flesh.  This is one of the parallel passages of the works of the flesh.  It is important to note whenever the list of the works of the flesh are listed the believer is quickly drawn to this is not who you are but who you used to be.  Put on the new man; know who you are in Christ.  Christ alone has set men free from sin and has brought us reconciliation with the Father.  Christ is all and in all!

PEACE:

G1515. eirene, i-ray'-nay; prob. from a prim. verb  eiro (to join); peace (lit. or fig.); by impl. prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

John 14:27  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The fruit of the Spirit is peace!  Jesus gave us His peace; when we accepted Jesus as our Messiah His peace was imputed to us.  We can walk free of turmoil and fear by turning our hearts to His peace.  At one with God.  When we come to Jesus, we enter into His rest.  God’s intended purpose is for us to live our life from this place of rest.

Romans 5:1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  4  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  This peace comes with access into His divine influence in our lives every minute of every day!  This divine influence will bring us through the toughest of times; all the while His divine influence allow us to glory in tribulation.  His divine influence changes our very character in the midst of the bad circumstances.  This divine influence keeps hope alive even in the fiery trials of life.  We are resting in the goodness of His love.  Faithful God indeed.

Romans 10:15  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!“

It is the gospel of peace we have been called to preach.  So many messages being heralded; however the prophetic message has declared “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”  The church needs to examine what it is preaching and come back to it’s true calling.  Preach the gospel of peace, the glad tidings of good things!

1 Thessalonians 5:23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

He is the God of peace who will sanctify completely your whole spirit, soul, and body.   He who has called you is faithful, he will do it.  Let the object of your faith ever be Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Ephesians 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,  16  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.  17  And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.  18  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 

False doctrines and traditions of men tell us how far off God is from us.  However, the word declares those who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.  Jesus Christ Himself is our peace.  God is not mad at you believer friend; the enmity that separated you was abolished.  The law of commandments contained in ordinances have been nailed to the cross.  That which stood between God and man, Jesus nailed to the cross putting to death the enmity.  We have peace with God and have access to the Father; we are invited to come boldly into His throne room.

Philippians 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit works through us and works in us greater when we come with thanksgiving.  Peace is magnified when one comes to God with a grateful heart.  When we come  to God with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving we can then make our request made know unto God.  Divine order is so important.  When we come God’s way the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.  Christian without peace need to come back into the divine order; God’s word will not fail to bring peace.

John 16:33  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Your peace is based upon the accomplishment of Jesus Christ.  He has overcome the world.  Indeed Jesus has made us over comers.  We can get through the tribulation with the peace Jesus has afforded us.

John 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The eternal promise is the Father and Jesus will make their abode with the one who has surrendered to the love He has loved us with.

Colossians 3:14  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Put on love… it is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your heart.  The most common way God leads His children is through His peace ruling and reigning in our hearts.  We have been called to let His peace reign in our hearts with unity and thankfulness.  Let peace reign!

The Fruit of the Spirit - 2 Joy

The joy of the Lord is something God desires for His children to know and walk in.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit has all the characteristics listed in this passage.  This week the fruit of the Spirit is joy!  The source that causes fruit to bear and mature is the root.  Jesus is the root; abiding in Christ makes the branch fruitful. 

1 Corinthians 6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  10  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Keeping the fruit of the Spirit in context is important.  In Galatians 5 it is the works of the flesh are… then the fruit of the Spirit is…  There are four parallel passage that list the works of the flesh last week we read Galatians 5 list.  This week its 1 Corinthians 6.  When the works of the flesh are listed it is made clear, those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  People who make claims to live for Jesus and continue in an ungodly lifestyle fool themselves; don’t be deceived they will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Where the works of the flesh are listed the next truth comes out “and such were some of you.”   Those who are born again are not any of those things; you are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  This is a principle of grace that is often misunderstood.  When a man comes to Jesus he dies to himself and the sinful nature he was born with.  He becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit; indeed this is a command of grace.  Now that God has made you a new creation walk in it!

JOY:

G5479. chara, khar-ah'; from G5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

Romans 14:17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The substance and reality of the kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  God has an intent for His children.  That they live in the joy of the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  5  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  9  receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.

What is source of the joy?  The Father has begotten us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The source of joy is come from the work of the living God.  We indeed have an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and cannot fade away, reserved for us!  IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE!  The greatness of your Savior is joy inexpressible and full of glory.  An old song says “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory”.    Rejoice and you will receive the end result of your faith the salvation of your soul.  You have a spirit to Spirit connection to God at the point of salvation, when you renew your soul with this truth you will experience the joy God intends.

Acts 8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.  6  And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  7  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.  8  And there was great joy in that city.

The source of joy remains the same today as it was for the city of Samaria; the preaching of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It time for the church to come and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 12:2  Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'“  3  Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.  4  And in that day you will say: "Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.

Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  Trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord is the way to make a withdraw from the well of salvation.  Jesus says come and drink; the result is the joy of the Lord.  Praise the Lord put it in your mouth!

John 15:10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.  11  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Abide in His love.  Jesus loves us as the Father loved Him.  The Father’s heart is revealed!  His desire is for us to remain in the joy of Jesus and live our lives full of that joy!

Psalms 16:11  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The Father has desire for you to be in His presence; He has made the way into His very presence by Jesus our forerunner.  In His presence is fullness of joy; you are invited to come boldly into His throne room of grace.

James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The fruit of the Spirit will bring you through the good and the bad!  Count it joy when you fall into various trials?  It is not we are looking for and crying out to God for the trials; however in the midst of the trial we can rejoice that the God of our salvation is on our side and will bring us through.  We can rejoice because the trial will produce patience; and patience will have it perfect work.  What is the perfect work?  Read it, “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  Rejoice in the Lord, the trial, the rejoicing in the middle of the trial, then the outcome, the lacking nothing.  This is the good news of the gospel.

Hebrews 12:2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus having seen the completed work of the Father and was able to endure the cross.  Who for the joy set before Him…  We are called to walk in His joy.

Romans 15:10  And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!“  11  And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!“  12  And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.“  13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice and praise the Lord!  Laud Him, declare His goodness in the midst of the trial.  The God of hope will fill you with ALL JOY and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!  The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Fruit of the Spirit - 1 Love

The fruit of the Spirit is love...

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is… note it is not the fruits of the Spirit.  This is the characteristics of the Spirit.  It is not the root of the Spirit; because, Jesus is the root of the fruit of the Spirit.  To bear the fruit of the Spirit one must abide in Christ.  If you want apples you go to the apple tree.  Jesus is the cornerstone we the branches must abide in Him.  There will be a natural overflow, by abiding in Christ we will bear the fruit of the Spirit.  It includes all the characteristics, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.

Galatians 5:16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We are called to walk in the Spirit.  We who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh.  There is not in the Spirit and in the flesh at the same time.  Those who belong to Jesus have died to sin once and for all, in the same way Christ did.  We must reckon ourselves to be dead indeed to sin and alive unto God. 

LOVE:

G 26. agape, ag-ah'-pay; from G25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; spec. (plur.) a love-feast:--(feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love

John 15:9  "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

Philemon 1:6  that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

A principle of grace is to acknowledge every good thing which is in you in Christ.  God has put the Spirit in our hearts where by we might cry out Abba Father.  We need to declare all that Christ has done; Christ in me the hope of glory!  This is the way to make the sharing of our faith effective.  It is not what we have done for Christ; it is what Christ has done for us!

1 John 3:1  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.  We are called to stop and consider, meditate on the manner of love the Father has bestowed on us.  He has had a love feast and poured the benefits of the feast upon His children.  What a God that calls us His own.  What love that we should be called the children of God.  This is the Father’s heart toward us!  Awesome He is indeed.

1 John 4:8  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  9  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  10  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God is love; God is agape.  It is a perfect love driven by affection and benevolence.  It is a love that is proactive.  For God so loved the world that He gave…  Verse 10 is so clear, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation, the substitute atoning sacrifice, for our sins.   Man cannot love God or his fellow man with the God affection until there has been a revelation of the love of God for that man.

1 John 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  17  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.  18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  19  We love Him because He first loved us.

To know and believe the love God has for us is the beginning of our abundant life.  We have been called to abide in His love.  The enemy of our soul is always busy trying to get us off point.  It amazes me how many believers are not sure of the love the Father has for them.  To know and believe the love of God toward us is to be perfected in love.  Many have not understood and tried to walk outside of divine order by putting the emphasizes on their love toward God.  Don’t dismiss verse 10 …”not that we loved God, but that He loved us”…  This revelation of perfect love empowers us to have no fear but indeed to have boldness on the day of judgment.  Far too many Christian live without the boldness the love of God calls us  to.  There is no fear in love, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.  Yes, the fruit of the Spirit is love; we love Him because He first loved us.

1 Corinthians 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  4  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  5  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  6  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;  7  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8  Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13 is the great love chapter.  It is sandwiched in between Paul teaching that the gifts of the Spirit should be in operation in the church.  Greater than the Spiritual gifts being in operation is love in operation in the church.  If we can speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, it is like being the sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. If every Spiritual gift was in operation and faith was so strong that every mountain was removed, without love it is empty and useless.  God’s kind of love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.  Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.  Love never rejoices in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.  Love bears all things, love believes all things, hopes all things, endure all things.  Love never fails.

John 21:14  This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.  15  So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (God love me) Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You (I brotherly love you)." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."  16  He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you (God love me) love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You (I brotherly love you)." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."  17  He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love (brotherly love Me) Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (brotherly love You) You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep.

This is an amazing encounter between Peter and Jesus.  Peter had denied Jesus three times just before Jesus was nailed to the cross.  Jesus had called Peter to feed and take care of the lambs that would come to Jesus.  Jesus was busy restoring Peter trying to bring him up to the agape love as opposed to the brother love that Peter could confess.  Peter had blown it and indeed blown it big; however God did not change His mind for the destiny and purpose that He had for Peter.  Instead, Jesus was restoring saying what I have called you to do Peter, do.  Jesus was calling Peter from the brotherly love to the higher agape love; so Jesus is calling us all!

Romans verse by verse lesson 15

The call to those who are strong in grace.

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Romans 15:1  We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.  3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."

We who are strong… After we have come to the revelation of the good news of the gospel it changes the way we live.   One knows they have an understanding of God’s grace when they are able to provide grace to the weak.  God’s divine influence brings us to seek the good of  those around us. … ought to bear with the scruples of the weak.  God calls the actions of the strong to be motivated with the desire to edify those around them. 

Romans 15:4  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  5  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  6  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All of the word of God was written for our learning and encouragement. It is imperative that we take all the word and rightly divide the word of truth.  God calls us to be like-minded toward one another.  Living in grace will bring us to glorify the Father.

Romans 15:7  Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.  8  Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers,  9  and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name."

What a command, receive one another as Christ received us!  What an awesome promise, Jesus confessing the Father to the Gentiles and sings His name.

Romans 15:10  And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"  11  And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!"  12  And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope."

What an awesome redeemer; no wonder why He calls us to rejoice.

Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Father’s heart beats for His children; oh that the children will be filled with all joy and peace and may the children abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:14  Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.  15  Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God,  16  that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 

The good news of the gospel is what makes us the believer acceptable, accomplished by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:17  Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God.  18  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient;  19  in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

We have reason to glory in Christ Jesus.  How great the signs and wonders followed as the gospel of Jesus Christ was preached.

Romans 15:20  And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation,  21  but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand."  22  For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

Paul’s life was directed to preach Christ where He had not yet been announced.  We have come to a place in this nation we have a generation that has never heard the gospel.

Romans 15:23  But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you,  24  whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

I am often awestruck by the heart of love the apostle Paul had for the body of Christ.  Here we see yet another example of it.

Romans 15:25  But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.  26  For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.  27  It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Paul spent his life being poured out as a offering to see men come to Christ and be established by God’s grace.

Romans 15:28  Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain.  29  But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

I pray that the church will become a reflection of this truth!  May we come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:30  Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,  31  that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,  32  that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.  33  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

May the peace of God be with you all!

Romans verse by verse lesson 14

Grace is so great it bring us to live in love. Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and embrace living in righteousness; however, grace also teaches us how to live in our convictions and live in grace with those whose convictions may differ from ours.

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Romans 14:1  Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.  2  For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.

Receiving grace changes the way you live; it changes the way you have relationship with God, spouse, children, church family, extended family, coworkers, neighbors, friends, and enemies alike!  If we have truly received grace we will receive even one who is weak in the faith.  God will often convicts us to do or not to do specific things.  How we handle these convictions is a sure measuring stick of our own maturity.  This is a grace command, “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.”

Romans 14:3  Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.  4  Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

In our text the week one is identified as the one who only ate vegetables.  The only eating vegetables considered their self to strong one.  Note it was not because they did or did not eat meat, it was because of the way they looked down on the one who did not follow their conviction.  What a sharp question, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?”  God will indeed make His children stand.

Romans 14:5  One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  6  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

In the new testament church there was controversy over what should or could be eaten and what days should or should not be observed.  Most of the controversy was centered around shall we continue in the law.  We have spent all of Romans to declare that a man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  With the question settled, will we offer grace to someone who see it differently than we do?

Romans 14:7  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  8  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  9  For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

From Romans chapter one to the 16^th chapter Paul continues to bring Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the solution and there is no other solution.  Do the convictions you live bring glory to Jesus Christ or are they self glorying?  Grace points us to the heart of Jesus.

Romans 14:10  But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Paul is showing us that grace gets down to where we live.  Judging a brother exposes a heart of contempt.  The enemy of our soul would love us to judge one another; “I don’t like the way he is doing that.”  However, The Holy Spirit wants us to deal with a fellow brother without contempt even if we don’t like the way they are doing something.  To be clear, I am not talking about someone walking in blatant sin and is calling it okay: from such a one we need to turn away. 

Romans 14:11  For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."  12  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

We have been called to view one another after the Spirit of God.  The Father sees us through the blood of Jesus.  The heart of the gospel is here!  It is what one thinks of Jesus Christ and His Lordship that will determine his or her destiny.

Romans 14:13  Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

What if our actions are motivated by a love and heart for those around us?  What if we resolve not to put a stumbling block in our brother’s way?  Sometime we can be right technicality but wrong on attitude and it equals being completely wrong.

Romans 14:14  I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  15  Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.  16  Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;  17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The motive is more important than the action.  If you have a liberty and parade that liberty to those you know who would be offended by it, you are not acting in love.  The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit; it is not in the traditions we have allowed or disallowed.

Romans 14:18  For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.  19  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.

If our pursuit is to show everyone “how right we are” we have missed the mark of grace.  If our pursuit is to make for peace and pursue things that edify we have surrendered to the strength of grace.  Grace is not about us but about Christ in us the hope of glory.

Romans 14:20  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.  21  It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Let your actions be that of working in agreement with the work of God.  Guard the way you live so you will not be an offense or causation of your bother’s stumbling.

Romans 14:22  Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.  23  But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

This is the great principle of grace in regards to convictions. Live by the conviction God has put in your heart.  However purposed in your heart to never be a stumbling block to your brother.  Live by faith it is the life we have been called to.