872.

LOVING CHILDREN BECOME LOVING PARENTS?

Most parents encourage and support the development of their offspring, that they may grow to maturity and share their spirit "fruitage" with others. And, in turn, that they may see this "fruitage" shared with their grandchildren.

Don't you agree that the experiences we find most rewarding are those that embrace such qualities as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, and gentleness? And that with wisdom and experience we learn how to nurture these fine qualities and avoid the causes of discord, hatred and hypocrisy? Yes, of course you do. The remaining qualities that make up the nine described as "fruitage of the spirit" are long-suffering, faith, and self-control (Please read Gal 5:22,23).

To be long-suffering or 'long-tempered' is to be slow to exercise passion, indignation or wrath. To be patient, forbearing and long-suffering means to calmly endure suffering, delay or vexation without complaint, to remain unprovoked. It means more than merely suffering pain or trouble. Long-suffering requires deliberate restraint. "He that is slow to anger is better than a mighty man, and he that is controlling his spirit than the one capturing a city."  (Prov 16:32). Long-suffering is a quality that gives one the opportunity to develop the other qualities that are "fruitage of the spirit".

To exercise self-control is to keep oneself in check, to control oneself in action or speech. Can you think of something superfluous in your disposition that should be disposed of, and replaced with a "fruitage of the spirit"     not just for your benefit, but as an example to your children?

Faith is "the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evidence of realities though not beheld."  (Heb 11:1).  It is confidence and trust in God based upon evidence of physical and spiritual realities.

The entire body of truths of the Word of God delivered through our Lord Jesus Christ and his inspired apostles is what constitutes the true Christian faith. (John 18:37.  John 6:63.  Acts 6:7.  1 Tim 5:8). Obligations that existed under the Mosaic Law are not a precondition of the spiritual requirements of the "new covenant". (Rom 3:20) (James 2:21  26). Faith is based on evidence. Everywhere, the visible works of creation testify to the existence of an invisible Creator, as do the fulfilment of prophecies of God. (Rom 1:20). But while faith is not a possession of all people, it is a fruitage of the spirit of God. (2 Thess 3:2. Gal 5:22). It is not static, but grows with one's knowledge of the eternal purpose of God. Resolve in your hearts to acquire those qualities that are "fruitage of the spirit", remembering that the greatest of these is love. Love is expansive. It is not stingy or confined, and must be shared to be complete.  (2 Cor 6:11-13.  1 Cor 13:4-6).  Above all, one must love Jehovah God.  (Deut 6:5).

 

Heavenly Father's requirements
administered through earthly fathers
:

"Listen O sons, to the discipline of a father and pay attention, so as to know understanding. For good instruction is what I certainly shall give to you. My  law do not leave... Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding... Do not leave it, and it will keep you. Love it, and it will safeguard you. Wisdom is  the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all   that you acquire, acquire understanding."  (See Prov 4:1  9).

"Moreover, that by Law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because "the righteous one will live by reason of faith.""  (Gal 3:11).

Condemnatory decrees and punishments
of the Mosaic Law made obsolete
:

"Furthermore, though you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him. He  kindly forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake. Stripping the governments and the authorities bare, He exhibited them in open public as conquered, leading them in a triumphal procession by means  of  it."  (Col 2:13 15).

9/12/80.
 

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