Galatians 5:22-23 (Amplified) tells us, "But the Fruit of the (Holy) Spirit (the work which His presence within accomplishes) is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self control (self restraint, continence) against such things there is no law (that can bring a change)."
The Fruit of the Spirit, "the work which His presence within accomplishes," is producing the very character of Jesus the Christ within us. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we can never produce this character. We've tried to produce His character throughout the years through the actions of the flesh and the old, carnal man. Mostly, we've been only able to produce the same self-righteous spirit that was present in the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' day and became critical, judgmental and condemning.
This isn't what we wished to produce, but it was all the flesh could do. The character of Christ can only be revealed to the world through us by our yielding to the Holy Spirit. This very thing keeps today's Church divided even now.
Paul spoke about this in 1Corinthians 1:11-13 (Amplified) saying, "For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions and wranglings and factions among you." Verses 12-13 go on, "What I mean is this, that each one of you (either) says, I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos, or I belong to Cephas (Peter), or I belong to Christ. Is Christ (the Messiah) divided into parts? Was Paul crucified on behalf of you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?"
We have local churches we attend and each has a pastor in them. We should have a local body in which to worship and learn, but not to party factions like Galatians 5:20 (Amplified) says, "Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies)."
The Body of Christ will only unify if she yields to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to live through us. Many of us differ in some of the things we believe from the Word, but different isn't always wrong...it's just different. If I believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in other tongues, then does that mean I'm not of the faith?
Or, if I don't believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the speaking of other tongues, then does that mean I'm not of the faith? When we believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and that He and He alone has cleansed us of our sin and iniquities, then doesn't this make us one body?
1Corinthians 3:10-15 (Amplified) says that, "According to the grace (the special endowment for my tasks) of God bestowed upon me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid (the) foundation, and now another (man) is building upon it. But let each (man) be careful how he builds upon it." Verses 12-13 go on, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is (already) laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). But if anyone builds upon the foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw. The work of each (one) will become (plainly, openly) known (shown for what it is) For the day (of Christ) will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done." Verses 14-15 say, "If the work that any person has built on this foundation (any product of his efforts whatever) survives (this test) he will get his reward. But if any person's work is burned up (under the test) he will suffer the loss (of it all, losing his reward) though he himself will be saved, but only as (one who has passed) through fire."
We argue in the Church over such things as healing, tongues, prosperity, the gifts of the Spirit, the rapture of the Church and other items. Whatever we have built on the foundation (Jesus and Him Crucified) will be tested for truth. Even though some of our doctrines might be burned by trials, the foundation of Jesus Christ will stand firm.
In these last days, we will discover that some of what we teach and believe was wrong according to the real truth of God. The One thing that all Christians have in common is that we all believe that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Much of what we argue over will be dissolved as we yield to the Fruit and character of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit leads us, many of the things that have divided and separated us, don't matter anymore. We can all still rejoice in forgiveness and thanksgiving to Him Who died and rose again for us.
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