Sour Christians
When I was very young, my parents thought is was hilarious in restaurants to hand me a lemon wedge. I would look at my hand with this bright yellow thing in it and immediately stick it in my mouth. I would make a face because it was sour, and my parents would laugh and laugh. I would look at them because eof their laughter and forget what was in my hand. Then I would look at my hand with this bright yellow thing in it and immediately stick it in my mouth...and the cycle would continue.
Pastor Philip spoke Sunday on our relationship with the Holy Spirit. I want to focus on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Often, we read that list and just focus on the character qualities listed there. Instead of doing that, I want you to think about being a tree.
Psalm 1 tells us that the righteous are like a tree planted by streams of water that bears fruit in season. It is obvious when a tree is producing fruit. It is obvious when the fruit is sweet, or sour.
The same is true for those who say they follow Jesus. The fruit of the Spirit is obvious in our lives. If I have no love, I am just a resounding gonf or a clanging cymbal. If I have no joy, I am as sour as that lemon. If I have no peace...you get the idea. Thre is no "mostly loving" Christian, "sort-of patient" Christian, "sometimes kind" Christian. No...we either are, or are not.
The works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-20 are also fruit. They are just poison. They destroy the person, and they destroy others. They turn people away from faith because of hypocrisy and falseness.
Oh, and by the way, this is not a self-reflection exercise. Your fruit should be easily seen and enjoyed by those around you. Is it? If not, it's time to ask the Holy Spirit to do some pruning. Don't be a false, fruitless follower.
Worship is allowing the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in your life!
SONGS FOR SUNDAY
Glorious Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gklJ2XZwDHc
Goodness of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f4MUUMWMV4
How Great is Our God