But sanctify the Lord God* in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 2 Peter 3:15 NKJVI was listening to a radio program the other day, and was struck anew, as to how one could always be ready to give a defense to anyone that asks for the reason for our hope in the Lord.
In this radio program, the speaker asked the person "Would you like to have love in your life?" Of course, the answer was yes. He then asked, "What about joy?" Again the answer was yes. "What about peace?" Again the answer was yes. "What about patience?" And wouldn't you know it, the answer was yes. "What about kindness, goodness and faithfulness?" Again the answer was yes. And finally, "What about gentleness and self control?" The answer was still yes.My friends, what was just asked of this person are all the fruits of the Spirit. If we want these things in our lives, then God must be in it. As soon as we ask God into our lives, and then truly desire to listen to our Counselor, and our Provider, He will give us all these things. The only time we don't have them, is when we refuse to accept them from Him.
So the next time you're asked why you believe, and why you have hope in the Lord, Jesus Christ, you can say that you, at one time, desired all these things, and now that God is the center of your life, you have them, so long as you truly seek His will in your life. Now, that might seem too easy to some of you.
I ask those of you that think that's too easy, why should it be difficult? Jesus already paid the price for us. The acceptance is easy. Sometimes, the narrow path He has laid out for us isn't always easy to follow, but it's always there. You just might have to whack a few overgrown weeds out of the way, is all.
It's true, we will have difficulties, but that isn't what needs to come first, when we tell others why we hope in Him. So go on, tell others about your hope, and why you have it. It's easy, I tell you! It really is! Blessings to you all!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 NKJV
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Great post, Shalene.
ReplyDeleteThat implies that only when we surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit shall we begin to manifest those traits.
God bless, and Shabbat Shalom.