Love

As we study the description of early Christians marshalled by Paul, sometimes called, “Fruits of the Spirit,” we find that each descriptor is only one part of the gift (not gifts) of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22ff). This gift is set in contrast to works of the flesh which some people are doing in a continuous fashion. As elements of the gift of the Holy Spirit continuously unfold in your Christian life, your walk along your own unique personal spiritual journey will perhaps astound and convict others of their need to believe in God and seek His grace for reconciliation with Him. The first element of this gift Paul spoke about is love. This is perhaps the most difficult element to grasp; Paul describes it further in 1Cor. 13:1-13. Love is like a multifaceted gem. As one moves it around, up, down, or in spiral fashion, light reflected from it changes reflections and perhaps intensities on surrounding surfaces. Diamonds are one the usual gems we think about in the sense of durability and permanence. Some people are labeled as a “diamond in the rough.” But, above the Cut, Color, and Clarity which drives Cost, there is also purity. When many diamonds are viewed under high magnification, they have some anomaly that reduces their value - they have a defect; some are redirected to manufacturing uses. This is an excellent example of people. Stated simply, people are different; all people have some defect, and must not be discarded because of this. However, they have various facets of these differences and thus different needs. Showing love to many has a facet of accepting the individual for where they are in their life, with all its baggage. (we might not agree, but we should not reject, and look to their future). There is also the facet of desiring them to follow Jesus and be guided by the Holy Spirit. The baggage may help or hinder their velocity along their path of understanding, acceptance, and sanctification. There may be some who take a break for a period of time before moving forward. These may be times when it seems your prayers are not sufficient for your desires. In these times, you must remember that love does not push a person to the point you want them to be, it walks beside them as they find their own unique individual spiritual journey. Rejoice in those who have begun this journey and let the Holy Spirit guide them according to their unique needs. This was the pathway Jesus followed.

Lack of Understanding

Pointing out our lack of understanding of our God's (or indwelling Holy Spirit's) work in our surroundings, Sarah Young wrote, "I AM TAKING CARE OF YOU. Feel the warmth and security of being enveloped in My loving Presence. Every detail of your life is under My control. Moreover, everything fits into a pattern for good, to those who love Me and are called according to My design and purpose. Because the world is in an abnormal, fallen condition, people tend to think that chance governs the universe. Events may seem to occur randomly, with little or no meaning. People who view the world this way have overlooked one basic fact: the limitations of human understanding. What you know of the world you inhabit is only the tip of the iceberg. Submerged beneath the surface of the visible world are mysteries too vast for you to comprehend. If you could only see how close I am to you and how constantly I work on your behalf, you would never again doubt that I am wonderfully caring for you. This is why you must live by faith, not by sight; trusting in My mysterious, majestic Presence. {Romans 8:28 (amp); Job 42:1–3; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Corinthians 5:7} We must remember we are children of the King, the creator and maintainer of the universe."
There is much encouragement here, however, this presentation seems to set aside our choice for dependance on the Holy Spirit to guide us along our unique independent spiritual journey. We must realize that God is most interested in the eternal destination of His children. While He may bless us physically in ways we can realize, His primary focus for physical blessings is providing all people opportunities to move closer to Him. Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - Jn 16:33 (ESV) The Holy Spirit works in ways we cannot comprehend, but His working is in line with Scripture. Scripture is clear that humans make the final choice and thereby are responsible for their actions. The real challenge is whether of not one follows the guidance they understand.

Context of Light

Hebrew can be a very challenging language to fully understand without careful study. This very graphic and culture-based language is highly dependent on the immediate context. It greatly relies on event driven language based on word or phrase pictures. This phraseology is used in many places in which the context is focused on various spiritual and moral decisions. In the Old Testament word pictures, places near to God were dominated by light (a non-consuming, burning bush (Ex. 3:1-17); light leading God’s people, Ex. 13:21-22); the parallel is that areas or places away from God are in darkness, even chaos as was the world before God made light. This method of communication is also used in the New Testament. This visualization carries over into the New Testament and those who followed God were described by a picture of providing “light,” or godly direction to others. Jesus would say, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matt. 5:14-16 (ESV). As we travel along our unique individual spiritual journey led by the Holy Spirit, God’s people should display godly qualities to those who observe their actions. Along this journey, we must realize we still are sinful people; while we are continually cleansed, we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us more completely.

Clothing

Those who attempt to follow Jesus' teaching need to walk very carefully, because our surroundings may be physically and spiritually dangerous; some people will be affected differently. Our appearance (clothing) should reflect wisdom and concern for others. We must depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us correctly. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:15-16 (NIV); "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Col. 3:12 (NIV) This is evidence the Holy Spirit guides us.

Many people say harsh things about the Jewish people and their practices. However, it is helpful to remember most of them admitted they were sinners; they used God’s commands and the feast of Passover to push forward these sins until the promised Messiah came. They were always responsible for the payment of them, but it was a “not just yet,” settlement. The Jews celebrated the TORAH, or teachings, that informed them of what actions were sinful. They wanted to know what God desired. When Jesus died and people believed it Him, all these “pushed forward” sins, vanished - there was no more spiritual responsibility for them. Christians now live in a continually cleansed state (1 Jn. 1:7), however, we remain sinful people, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." - 1 Jn. 1:8 (ESV). It seems nowadays people want to claim sin is not really bad and even deny personal sinfulness. One of the tasks of the indwelling Holy Spirit is to convict humans of sinful behavior. Jesus said, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” – Jn. 16:8 (ESV). James would add to this and say, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – Jas. 5:16 (ESV). Everyone has sinned and will continue to sin (Rom. 3:23), but Jesus blood continually cleanses the Christian and God, the Holy Spirit dwells within.

On to the battle

Inspired by the Holy Spirt, Paul alerts the Ephesians of a constant potential encounter with spiritual forces greater than they can imagine. They needed to understand what to look for and how to protect themselves, at a moment’s notice, “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” – Eph. 3:15-18 (ESV). In addition to this armor and charge, Paul tells Timothy about an unequaled resource for this struggle, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” – 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (ESV). Military personnel are instructed to protect themselves and their comrades; Christians could accurately be considered soldiers of Christ. These soldiers need to use this arsenal to protect ourselves and others. A weapon that is not used is useless for the battle. We must intentionally choose to use God’s word for a resource and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into battle. Various Christians will likely have different challenges and battles to fight, but the Holy Spirit will empower them as needed along their unique individual spiritual journey, if they ask Him to do so.

Alpha - Omega

The Holy Spirit moved over the chaos at creation and brought order, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Gen. 1:2 (ESV). In the same manner, the Holy Spirit brought order to God’s earthly creation, along with Jesus (Jn. 1:2-5). These two also worked in symphony to bring a pathway to complete salvation for the entire world. Paul reveals through the Holy Spirit, “For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?” – Rom. 8:22-24 (ESV). By depending on this hope, He can bring order to our struggling lives. When we are struggling with spiritual issues we may become spiritually dehydrated. These are the times we need to remember where to quench our spiritual thirst and strengthen our commitment. Disclosed in the last book of the bible, [God the Spirit] brought Jesus' words to [John]: “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."  - Rev. 21:6 (ESV). As Christians, we need to trust the Holy Spirit to lead us along our unique individual spiritual journey to Jesus. As we do this, we acknowledge that we thirst for the presence of the Holy Spirit and request He refresh our lives to glorify God.