[Messenger]

Laying Claim To The Fruits of The Spirit

[

I]Originally Posted May 14, 2003[/I]

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the Fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control."
2Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own Glory and Goodness"
I've often heard it said (and said myself) "I just don't have patience" or "I don't feel at peace" or "I have no self-control" along with countless other similar statements regarding the "Fruits of the Spirit". The problem, as it has been revealed to me, is that we don't recognize the truth that these Fruits are gifts from God that we already possess. I've spoken with Christians who have decared,"God is working on me to teach me the Fruits of the Spirit". As I said,”we don't recognize the TRUTH that these Fruits are gifts from God that we ALREADY POSSESS".

2Peter 1:3 tells us that we DO possess these Fruits (along with a great deal more). We are told that God "HAS GIVEN" us "EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness". The Fruits of the Spirit are just that, things we need to live a godly life. Therefore, we must recognize that they are things we already possess, not something we will grow into or earn. Knowing this to be Truth, we now can begin to allow God to change, not only the way we view the Fruits, but also, the way we use the Fruits, and to let this Truth set us Free.

In order to allow the Fruit to become a useful part of our every day lives, we simply need to lay claim to it. Sounds over-simplified? Probably, but God didn't mean living "In Christ" to be difficult. If these Fruits are already ours, then we need to accept that as fact and claim them as our own, holding them dear to us as one of our most prized possessions. Need peace, claim peace in the Name of Jesus. Need patience, claim it in the name of Jesus. Sounds simple? It's just that simple. Why? How?

2Peter tells us that it is "through our KNOWLEDGE of HIM" that we have been given these Fruits.
In John 14:13, Jesus says, "And I will do whatever you ask In My Name". Remember, the real power is in the Name of Jesus. To live "In Christ" is to live by Faith In The Name. The Fruits of the Spirit are ours, a gift from God. The power to access them rests in the Name of Jesus. Lay claim to the Fruits, your rightful gift for a godly life, in the Name of Jesus. Begin to live a fruitful life with Christ.

May God Bless You and Keep You Safe.

Your comments are always welcome and encouraged. I'd love to hear from you. Thanks for joining me today.
Paul

[Messenger]

I just re-read this devo for myself. I needed to be reminded that I already have the gifts I've been missing. Thought I'd move this one up the list in case anyone else needed to hear it as well.

Hope it helps.
Paul

[Bass_Thug]

Outstanding devotional... I needed this; plus, it is something I had not really thought about before (already possessing the fruits).

Thanks and God bless!

[Epaphras]

Thanks...I needed that...

Kudos.

[Messenger]

I'm glad God led me to re-post this. I needed reminding that the Christ Life doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes in the midst of our religion, we forget how easy it really is to enjoy a relationship. God gave us everything we need, we just have to recognize that He ALREADY gave it to us.

Bass Thug, I notice the comment under your name says you're "Searching for God's Will". His will now for you is the same as it ever was for anyone. To know Him, Love Him, Trust Him and let Him work through you. Keep it simple, don't try so hard, and you'll be amazed at how God works through us in spite of ourselves. We only need to be available. Sometimes we're so busy trying to do FOR God we take away our availability TO God. I know that's the case with me quite often, maybe others have the same dilemma.

There are 4 other devo,s God wrote through me on or near the last page. Check them out as well. If you feel led to reply to them, maybe they'll move up the list where someone else might find comfort.

Again, glad God could use me to encourage you.
May He Richly Bless You,
Paul

[Bass_Thug]

Originally Posted by Messenger

Bass Thug, I notice the comment under your name says you're "Searching for God's Will". His will now for you is the same as it ever was for anyone. To know Him, Love Him, Trust Him and let Him work through you. Keep it simple, don't try so hard, and you'll be amazed at how God works through us in spite of ourselves. We only need to be available. Sometimes we're so busy trying to do FOR God we take away our availability TO God. I know that's the case with me quite often, maybe others have the same dilemma.

You know, that's something that God's really been dealing with me lately. Since I even made that my title under my username, He has taught me quite a bit, particularly what you said... making it too hard.

I find it hard to believe that I actually make my relationship with the Lord too hard... I forget it's a relationship. Sometimes I get caught up in thinking I need to "do" certain things... for example, sometimes I feel like I need to read a certain amount of chapters in the Bible, or make sure I fill out a whole page in my prayer/devotional journal. Thigns like that take the joy out of the relationship, when I get it in my head that I need to meet some requirements... I mean, isn't that the reason we trust Christ? To get away from requirements... yet I have the tendency to pull myself back into this type of bondage, because it's a lot easier for me to do these things (even though it's more frustrating and stressful) than actually trust that God's grace is suffiicent. I have a hard time sometimes believing that God IS my friend... that I AM in favor with Him... I forget that I don't have to do anything to gain His favor.

God bless!

[Messenger]

AMEN