His Story of Goodness, Part 5: The Fruit of His Spirit

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

It is not that unusual for someone to imagine the perfect life as consisting either fortune or fame. Yet it is also not unusual for those who have received these to be left empty and unfulfilled. What we all really want is happiness. If someone were able to give us the gift of happiness, would we not be grateful? Would we not consider them to be good?

I recently finished watching an inspiring DVD that chronicled the events leading to the conversion of 5 different people from 5 different parts of the world speaking 5 different languages. In each of these stories, dreams or visions of Christ totally transformed their lives. The common denominator in these stories was the pure love, joy and peace they experienced as they felt God's presence. These stories are not isolated and unusual cases. I have talked to other Christians and have read other testimonies that all share this experience. But it is my own experience of the presence of Jesus that totally wipes away all doubts that He is truly good.

I remember the early days of my conversion when I first experienced the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. The love of Christ I felt was so strong and so pure that is was incomparable. The joy that came over me was like a waterfall that filled my soul. The peace He gave me was unequaled to anything in this world. I would not be telling the truth if I said my Christian life was always like this. I too often get pulled away from seeking Him by distractions and other desires. But these things I run after never come close to what I find in His presence. And throughout my walk of faith, He has drawn me back to Himself and renewed His presence in my heart.

My experience, the experiences of others, is what the Bible calls the fruit of the Spirit. It is the result of the Spirit of God indwelling converted believers. It is real, it is true, it is tangible, it is universally experienced by believers from every age, nation and language. Because it is the same Spirit of the same good God who works the same way in all whom He brings to His Son.

It is this powerful presence of love that truly converts us to believers and convinces us truly that "the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever" (Psalm 106:1).

His Story of Goodness, Part 4: Forgiveness

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

What joy can compare to having the great burden of guilt removed from one's shoulders? What relief is there like having the filth of one's shame wiped clean? Or what gratitude can be expressed like having the one against whom a great crime was committed shine down forgiveness and acceptance?

God's goodness in no more clearly seen than in His willingness to forgive those who have sinned greatly against him; and to make clean those who stand unclean before His pure eyes. How can any accuse God of not being good when He forgives wickedness, rebellion and sin?

Freedom

As I was praying this morning, my prayers turned to prayer for our country. To be honest, I hadn't planned on praying this way, although I should have. As I prayed, a question ran through my mind. Is this country really special? It doesn't say in the Bible, "I shall raise up a country in future times called America and it shall be my nation." The simple answer is that our country is special because it has been strongly influenced by Christians throughout its history.

For some sovereign reason, this land has had a special influence that many nations have not. Many countries are in darkness under bondage to rulers, philosophies and religions that bring both spiritual and physical harm to its people. Yet this nation, being strongly influenced by that precious faith handed down to us, has brought freedom. Love thy neighbor as thyself. Honor one another above yourselves. Maintain justice, care for the orphan and the widow. We are creatures in the image of God--the God of goodness, mercy, grace, love and justice. This is true freedom. That this country has been a truly free country and also founded on Christian principles must not be carelessly overlooked. It is the tradition of the Christian faith that has made this country great.

Yet these principles are not going unchallenged. This nation is not perfect. This nation has sins just like any country. Not all who live in this land both in present and past are or have been godly. There is evil in our land. There is injustice. There has been the shedding of innocent blood. There have been influences of greed, darkness, hate, lust that if left unchecked will bring bondage not freedom.

Our country at this time in its history is not truly one nation under God as it has professed in the past. We live in a divided country. There is one side that believes freedom and the Christian faith are inseparably linked. There is another side that believe they are not. This side often works against the Faith of our Fathers to supress it and remove its influence. There are forces that believe ridding the land of the Christian faith will bring freedom. However, doing so will bring a swift removal of freedom. The whole foundation of human dignity, charity, good will, mercy and justice would be swept away.

The blessing on our land and the true God of Scripture can not be separated. It is His face shining on our land that gives freedom. It is the knowledge of His will, His heart, His law, His morality and values that propel liberty. Take these away and the home of the free and the brave will become like other nations that oppress its people for the sake of those few who rule it.

Our struggle to maintain freedom must begin with the Truth. We must work to promote and preserve the true Christian faith. That must be our number one battle.

Blessings,
John

Members of Christ

Ephesians 5:29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.

I came across this verse the other morning. Sometimes certain tenets of faith, while cherished and believed, nevertheless fade to the realm of the subconsious only to be awaken unexpectedly on a day just like any day. Such was the case with the truth behind this verse. New life was breathed into my soul as I was reminded that I, along with all my brothers and sisters in Christ, are united to Lord. My relationship with Jesus is more than simply believing, but I am a part of His spiritual body, joined to him in some mystical way that I don't fully understand. Just as I take care of my own body, Christ Jesus takes care of His body, nurturing, feeding, caring, watching over it. My Lord is closer than I imagine. He lives in my heart. Some verses for meditation:

1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 6:15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?...17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit...19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.

Lord, you have made me alive, truly alive. I cherish your presense and my heart has joy when your Spirit reminds me that I am joined to you, united in spirt, a member of your own body. You are above all and the beauty of holiness adorns you. Yet I belong to you and you cherish and nuture me as your own body. Let me go through my day the that reality fueling my soul. Amen