Gifts, Fruit, and the Ways of The Flesh :: By Nathele Graham

Published on: February 6, 2021 by RR7

There are many gifts that are available to believers in Jesus Christ. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). Every Christian is given at least one gift, but some receive more than one. It’s possible that we’ll be temporarily given a gift of the Spirit in a time of need, but then we don’t see it manifest in our life again. Many times, we aren’t aware of what gift or gifts we’ve been given, but if we live our life to please God, then we can be assured that we’re using our gift in spite of being unaware of what it is.

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: but all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will” (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

We bless others when we use the gifts of the Spirit. Don’t confuse the “gifts” with “fruit.”

Paul was a man who had given his life fully to Jesus Christ. He had been a servant of Satan, disguised as a Pharisee, before he met Jesus and his life changed dramatically. After his encounter with Jesus, Paul was fully dedicated to the service of our Lord. He understood about the gifts of the Spirit because he was given many gifts by God. He also knew that anyone who has truly been born again should have a changed nature… one that reflects Jesus. Paul’s nature had changed when he surrendered to Jesus, and he wrote about this change in his letter to the Christians in Galatia.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Notice that when talking about the Spiritual gifts, he uses the plural. There are many gifts of the Spirit, and not everyone has the same gift, but when listing the fruit of the Spirit, it’s singular. When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us. That’s when our human nature should be changed to reflect God. Instead of many fruits, like there are many gifts, it’s just one new attitude that should rule our life. It’s not that some Christians should bear the fruit of love while others bear the fruit of joy or peace, but all the fruit should be manifest in a born-again Christian’s life.

What is “born-again,” you might ask? For the answer to that, we turn to Jesus’ own words. One evening, a Pharisee came to Jesus with some questions. As always, when someone truly seeks answers, Jesus makes things clear. Nicodemus had knowledge of the Jewish laws, but he wanted to know more about what Jesus taught. He had been aware of Jesus, what He taught, and the healings He had done. Nicodemus knew that Jesus came from God, but didn’t understand that Jesus was God. Jesus gave an answer that confused Nicodemus.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

If we stop there, we too can be confused. This second birth isn’t a physical rebirth but a spiritual one. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6).

We are all born into this physical world, and there are things we just have to accept, such as how tall we are. We learn to cope with physical challenges. It’s the spiritual side of us that’s affected when we’re born again… born of the Spirit.

When my husband gave his life to Christ, the change was dramatic. He was a great guy but reacted to things in a worldly manner. The day he yielded his life to Christ, I saw two immediate changes. The first day of his newfound faith, his language changed. Certain words disappeared from his vocabulary. That same day, the anger that had ruled many of his reactions in life changed to a peaceful way of dealing with challenges. The slower change was an insatiable need to know God’s word. He wanted to know if what the preacher taught was correct. Ron wanted to know what God said, not what a man thought. That meant this man who didn’t like to read began to study his Bible. He studied Hebrew and Greek, followed prophecy, and applied the example of Jesus to his life. Ron was born again, and it showed.

Everyone is different, but when you accept Jesus into your life, there should be a change in your actions.

We are all human and have a fallen nature. Every evil, pain, sorrow, and failure is caused by Satan. He lied to Eve and confused her. Ever since Adam chose to follow her in sin, the entire world has suffered under the curse of the Fall. Instead of desiring to be more like Jesus, our human nature fills us with pride and arrogance, then we give in to the lust of this life. Paul warned the Christians in Galatia about the things that aren’t of God.

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).

Have you ever felt as if the joy of the Lord has escaped you? Maybe you need to take a look at your way of life and the choices you make. If you live opposed to Christ, how can you ever find joy? You can’t. You’ll always be pulled between what you know is the right way to live and the lust of sin. This makes you a very unhappy person. If you don’t follow Christ, you follow the lies of Satan. Instead of the love of the Lord being nurtured in you and the fruit of the Spirit showing in your life, the rotten fruit hurled at you by Satan and his minions poisons your attitude and steals your joy.

What are the ways of the world? Simply put, it’s anything that isn’t encouraged by Scripture. If Jesus is our example, we won’t follow the way of the world. Paul gave a list of some of the works of the flesh.

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Paul also spoke on this same topic to the Ephesian Christians. “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:3-5).

King James is sometimes hard to understand, but it’s very easy to find the definitions of words in today’s terms. Modern translations help, or a dictionary will give definitions. It’s a good idea to look up the words in a concordance and find the word in the original language and its original meaning. When you follow the ways of the world, the war within you will manifest in anger and pride. Sin separates us from God. Big sins and little sins are all the same… they’re all sin.

We all sin and fall short of God’s expectations, but if we claim to have placed our faith in Christ, our desire should be to move away from sin. Jesus gave His life so that we can be forgiven of all sin. If you’ve accepted His sacrifice, then you owe Him your life. You have become a new creation, and the old ways you followed should hold no joy for you. If you’re still embracing sin, then there’s no way you can have joy. You cannot serve two masters.

Next time you’re tempted to join in a lust of the flesh, try thanking God for what He’s done for you. If that doesn’t turn you away from sinning to nurturing the fruit that comes from the Holy Spirit, then perhaps you should take a strong look at your life. Ask yourself if you have truly repented (changed your mind about sin) and asked Jesus to forgive you. Then concentrate on the things of the Spirit and turn away from the works of the flesh.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

Remember, Jesus gave His life so you could live with Him eternally. If you prefer wallowing in the works of the flesh today, do you think you’ll be happy living with the fruit of the Spirit eternally? You should get familiar with the fruit now and nurture it in your life.

It isn’t too late to allow the Holy Spirit to rule your heart, mind, and soul. Humble yourself before the Lord and pray for forgiveness. Then, let the light of the Spirit brighten your way.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

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Ushered into the Narrow Door :: By Candy Austin

Published on: February 6, 2021 by RR7

1 Corinthians 15:52 “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

As a youth back in 1982, I remember being told about something called ‘the Rapture.’ Mainly that it would be a time when Christians are ‘snatched away’ in the blink of an eye before the Great Tribulation comes upon the whole world! As a kid, it sounded like a ‘terrifying time’ of having to decide whether a person would take the ‘666 Mark of the Beast’ (accepting that they would go to Hell for all eternity for doing so), or deciding to refuse the Mark of the Beast and willingly getting their heads chopped off (realizing that they would go to Heaven for all eternity instead)!

Revelation 13:16-18 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.”

It all sounded like some ‘ethereal event’ that would happen way far off into the future, so during my teen and young adult years, I kind of just ‘stored it all away’ and went about my life by starting a family and raising kids. Seeing how the churches we attended throughout those years barely, if ever, spoke on the subject of the Rapture or the Tribulation, which in turn only helped to make it easier to put it all ‘on the back burner,’ if you will. Easier to forget, easier to not watch for the signs, and easier to live a ‘more secular’ kind of life, such as a life of ‘carnality’ with one foot in the church and the other in the world.

1 Peter 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Only when things ‘started unraveling’ in our family did the topic of the Rapture and the End Times come back into focus again. ‘Focus’ in the form of a vision while yet asleep. It was a Spring morning in 2012 – when ‘sleeping in was the norm’ due to suffering from deep depression – when this ‘vision’ all of a sudden came to me. Just for the record, I have not had a vision before or since this occurrence, and I am also not one to say, “God told me thus and thus” either. All I know is that I had all but forgotten about this subject of the Rapture. Even when this vision manifested, I did not immediately ‘relate it to the Rapture’ until I started subsequently growing in the Lord and learning more about Bible Prophecy. Only then was I able to eventually ‘connect the Biblical dots,’ as it were.

The Vision:

{Out of nowhere, Jesus walked up and took me by the right hand to walk away from the computer screen and to follow Him into a long, dark tunnel. To walk step by step by following the Lord, not being able to see (walking by faith and not by sight) as He was leading me by the right hand through this obscure place. Occasionally, there were shallow water puddles along the way, which made for some discomfort, but still I kept on following Him every step of the way until we came upon some metal doors at the end of the tunnel.

At this juncture, Jesus opened one side of the doors for me so we could step out into the beautiful sunlight of day and onto some fresh green grass, along with the sounds of birds’ cheerfully chirping’ nearby (just as things humming along as business as usual). The Lord then led me a few more steps onto a hill to set our eyes towards the right and onto a ‘golden city,’ which was Jerusalem! Jesus then gestured with His hand towards Jerusalem and said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.”

Luke 13:23-25 “Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.”

At that saying, and for some reason, I looked down upon the valley below that was straight ahead and saw this long, winding road, one that inevitably led to the golden city. For whatever reason, I perceived (by leaning unto my own understanding) that I somehow still had 20-40 years until I would get to the Heavenly Kingdom. Although, before I knew it, I was already standing in front of the ‘city of gold’ before an arched double wooden door! Suddenly, one side of the doors opened up, and something like a ‘huge invisible hand’ seized my entire being! Just as a child who ‘hurriedly snatches up’ its beloved rag doll because it is time to go home, so as by this hand, I was furiously ‘ushered into the narrow door’!

John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Once the door slammed shut and I was on the inside, I immediately said, “Whoa!” for it all happened so violently fast! Then there were immediate sounds of ‘fierce pounding’ on the outside of the door (in hindsight, reminiscent of the foolish virgins). Not knowing who or what it was, I just assumed it was the Devil. Then upon turning around, I saw Jesus as God standing on a type of stage or platform up ahead and discerned that He was waiting for me! Instinctively, I ran towards Him, and as soon as I reached the platform on where He was standing, the Lord received me into His loving arms. And while He held me in this long-awaited embrace, it was then that I knew I was ‘Finally Home’!

After what seemed like an unmeasured amount of time, Jesus then took me into a large Banqueting Hall and seated me at one of the many long banqueting tables that were there. Then the Lord hurried off, for He had much to do. Across the table, there was a young lady who resembled my youngest who was so happy to see me. There was also a man coming to sit down next to me who resembled my husband, and there were several others who were coming to sit down and fellowship at this banqueting table as well. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by all of the excitement, and the last thought I remember having as I paused to myself in this vision was, “I am exhausted!” Then, just like that, this ‘spectacular vision’ ended; and truth be told, I have not been able to get it out of my mind ever since!}

Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants, whom the LORD when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.”

Luke 12:37 Commentaries: (biblehub.com)

Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Shall make them sit … – Shall place them at his table and feast them. This evidently means that if we are faithful to Christ and are ready to meet him when he returns, he will receive us into heaven – will admit us to all its blessings, and make us happy there – as if “he” should serve us and minister to our wants. It will be as if a master, instead of sitting down at the table “himself,” should place his faithful “servants” there, and be himself the servant. This shows the exceeding kindness and condescension of our Lord. For “us” poor and guilty sinners, he denied himself, took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7), and ministered to our wants. In our nature, he has worked out salvation, and he has done it in one of the humblest conditions of the children of men. How should our bosoms burn with gratitude to him, and how should “we” be willing to serve one another! See the notes at John 13:1-17. – Source

There is soon coming a day when we shall see Jesus face to face and look into His wonderful eyes and feel His loving hands wipe away every tear from our crying eyes. Are you ready for that day? Are you waiting and watching for His soon return? Luke 12 says blessed are those who will be found watching, because the Lord will gird himself and make them to sit down to dine, and He will come and serve them! Oh, what a glorious day that will be when our Jesus we shall finally see!

Isaiah 25:8-9 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Until next time… Maranatha!

JESUS = THE WAY, THE TRUTH, & THE LIFE!

Jesus Will Come!

Candy Austin is an Ambassador for Christ/Freelance ASL Interpreter/Writer, just passing through on this Narrow Path with her Beloved Husband and Best Friend Doug, along with their 2 fur baby cats Harley (12) and Dallas (9). (Instagram: kingdomofheavenisathand21)