Fruits of the Spirit – Be Still…

John 3:1-21 – Tell Me More

I like Nicodemus. He was cautious, but his faith was curious. We could learn a lot from his attitude of seeking the truth. It did strike me when he used the word “all” in the opening remarks of his conversation with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” Would he have been referring to “all” of his friends and family or “all” of the religious leaders he was in contact with, or both? We’ll learn later in Jesus’ ministry how jealous and fearful these leaders became, threatened that their power would somehow be lost to Jesus.

In the dark of night, Nicodemus sought answers. He wanted to know more, and Jesus was more than accommodating. I love how The Chosen television show portrays this meeting. Nicodemus was clearly in awe and showed such great reverence in Jesus’ presence. Jesus’ words were difficult for Nicodemus to grasp, just like they are for us.

Jesus describes the importance of being “born again.” Think of it as having renewed understanding revealed only by the Holy Spirit. With it, we believe in Jesus even though we cannot see him. Without it, we cannot enter God’s kingdom and enjoy eternal life with the Father. Being “born again” is something to seek, not fear.

Verse 16 is probably the most memorized verse in the whole Bible, and if you haven’t already done so, commit it to memory now.“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God loves us all. God has given us all the same opportunity to believe. Jesus came so everyone could believe.

What a scary future for those who don’t believe in Jesus! For believers, it’s like we have an immunity against judgment. That does not give us license to go out and break God’s laws or be selfish and unloving toward our neighbors. Instead, when we live in the light of God’s love, we desire to be more Christ-like. Have you noticed how that desire is automatic?

“But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” It’s our duty to help those in the darkness realize their peril. But we should do so in loving ways. It all starts with how we act in our own lives. When we act on Jesus’ behalf, people notice. What does Christ-like behavior look like? What comes to mind for me is to be humble and loving with a servant heart. There is no place for arrogance or selfishness. You can think of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Think for a moment about the darkness that surrounds us in this world. Sometimes I feel like the light of Christ is being snuffed out by people acting in hurtful ways. There is so much division in our culture today, whether it be political, economic, or spiritual. The evil one is doing a masterful job of fueling that confusion. I pray for all the innocent souls who don’t know any better because they don’t have the light of Christ burning in their hearts.

The best thing we can do as Christ-followers is to be respectful of authority, loving toward our neighbors, and focused on being a good representation of Jesus in our world. How would Jesus have you respond today? That’s a question I’ve been asking a lot lately.

Let’s pray. Lord Jesus, help me to love my neighbor as you love them. Help me shine your light in this dark world so that others can find their way into your presence. This world needs you more than ever, and I stand against the darkness that is trying to distract and devour us all. Thank you for how much you love me. May I never forget what you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Peter 5:1-14 – Not Just For Elders

Read 1 Peter 5:1-14

At first, if you’re not an “elder,” you may think this reading is not for you. That term doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with age; rather, it is believed that elders were chosen because of their mature faith and understanding of Christ’s teachings. It’s helpful to see how elders should handle the flock “God has entrusted” to them. I’m sure we’ve all seen people in positions of authority within the church body who have acted in contrary ways. Isn’t it good to know there is a Biblical direction to follow for those chosen by God?

This reading quickly shifts to include “all of you,” not just elders, in verse 5. Peter’s first letter concludes with an abundance of parting wisdom. What spoke to you and your faith journey? Was it Peter’s reference to humility or grace? What nearly jumped off the page for me was this. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Sounds simple, but it’s not easy. How do we finally let go of those worries without taking them back again? Continue reading “1 Peter 5:1-14 – Not Just For Elders”

Galatians 5:16-26 – Who’s In Charge?

Read Galatians 5:16-26

Do these verses give you a clearer picture of the phenomenon of having a conscience? It’s a lot more personal than that when you imagine the Holy Spirit guiding your direction. In fact, as you get to know the Holy Spirit, you’ll begin to recognize the help you’re receiving. I’ve been known to say something like, “The spirit inside me is suggesting another way for me.”

I can almost picture the little devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. When situations warrant, these two fight it out. Just like verse 17b says, “These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.” As believers, we want the angel to win and protect us from making bad choices. We want to be listening to the Holy Spirit and letting him control. We’re much more likely to succeed and avoid temptation. Continue reading “Galatians 5:16-26 – Who’s In Charge?”

James 2:26 – Faith in Action

^“Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” (James 2:26)

This is a great memory verse to remind us to be transparent in living out our faith. It’s not meant to say that what we do matters in terms of our salvation. To me, it is not contrary to what Paul taught about faith in Jesus but only complements it beautifully.

Context (James 2:14-26): The author, James, is believed to be the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the early church. In James’ teaching, he shares how he believes that our good deeds result from our faith. Faith and works go together and can’t be separated. In this passage, James uses two examples, Abraham and Rahab, to show great faithfulness and the actions they took because of it. Continue reading “James 2:26 – Faith in Action”

Psalm 40:1 – Are You Patient?

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.” (Psalm 40:1)

If you struggle with patience like me, this is a great verse of promise to call on while waiting on God’s timing. The psalmist trusted God, and we, too, can muster up the same belief in our Creator. God always responds, but perhaps his response is different from what we expected or hoped.

Context (Psalm 40): What a beautiful psalm of expectant praise in the midst of trials! The psalmist shares his experiences of patience and how blessings surround him alongside the trials. The confident hope is palpable that God will care and come to the rescue. In the waiting, the psalmist worships and remembers God’s provisions. Continue reading “Psalm 40:1 – Are You Patient?”