In John 15:1-5 Jesus indicates that his followers will be “pruned” or disciplined if they are not producing “fruit.” Galatians 5:22-23 defines what “fruit” is as a result of the Holy Spirits working in our lives:
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22 - 23 (NLT)
Young or old, we all need to be loved. Those of us that have accepted the love of Jesus in our lives are called to “love one another” as Christ loved us (1 John 3:11ff).
How are we to show this love to each other? Paul outlines that for us in First Corinthians chapter 13:
4Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4 - 7 (NLT)
I have to ask myself that every week, no, every day, especially when I am working with the teens.
Am I being:
· Patient with them?
· Kind to them?
· Am I displaying jealousy, being boastful or acting proud in any way?
· Do I demand my own way for the sake of getting my way?
· Am I acting irritable?
· Am I holding a grudge against anyone for a past wrong?
· Do I secretly shout “hooray” when a kid gets in trouble even when it is undeserved?
· Do I acknowledge when truth wins, even when it isn’t “my victory,” when a kid tells the truth in a difficult circumstance for example?
· Am I giving up on someone?
· Am I losing faith that God can work in someone else’s life and is in control?
· Do I display hope and encourage others to have hope in God?
· Do people see me giving up in tough circumstances or calling even more strongly upon God in tough times?
Ask yourself those questions as you go about this week. Is the “LOVE” aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit shining through in your life?
SEEK FIRST THE
