Psalm 2:1-12

Why are the nations in an uproar,
And the peoples devising a vain thing?

[2] The kings of the earth take their stand,
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed:

[3] "Let us tear their fetters apart,
And cast away their cords from us!"

[4] He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.

[5] Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury:

[6] "But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain."

[7] "I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord:
He said to Me, 'Thou art My Son,
Today I have begotten Thee

[8] 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession.

[9] 'Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron,
Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.' "

[10] Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.

[11] Worship the Lord with reverence,
And rejoice with trembling.

[12] Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!


Psalm 2 - Psalm 2:1-12


Open It

* 1. What characteristics make a good leader?
2. What do you think are some of the dangers in being a leader?

Explore It

3. What rhetorical question opens this psalm? (2:1)
4. How successful are people when they plot against the Lord? (2:1)
5. What aspects of the Lord’s character are revealed in this psalm? (2:1-12)
6. Who tries to stand against the Lord? (2:2)
7. What do the rulers of the world want to accomplish? (2:3)
8. How does God react to the leaders of the earth trying to overthrow Him? (2:4)
9. How does God demonstrate His righteousness to wicked people? (2:5)
* 10. What does God want us to know? (2:6-9)
11. How far does God’s power extend? (2:8)
12. What will God’s Anointed One accomplish? (2:9)
* 13. What warning are leaders given in this psalm? (2:10)
14. What are some dangers in being a leader? (2:10)
15. What attitude of worship should we have? (2:11)
* 16. What advice does this passage give us? (2:11-12)

Get It

17. How do you think the nations today are similar to the ones described in this psalm?
18. In what ways do you think rulers of our modern world conspire against Christ?
* 19. What are some of the dangers of being in leadership?
* 20. How is the psalm writer’s advice to leaders relevant to you?
21. Practically speaking, how can we “take refuge” in God?
22. What should we do to avoid God’s wrath?
23. How can Christian leaders protect themselves from using their status or power for selfish purposes?
24. What does this psalm teach us about God’s character?
25. How does this poem change your perception of God?
26. How do you think the words of this psalm could be applied to Christ?
27. In what practical ways can you demonstrate your respect for the Lord?

Apply It

* 28. What steps can you take in the next few weeks to use your influence for God’s glory?
29. What is one act of service to God that you could do today?
30. How can you “take refuge” in the Lord this next week?

AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Worshipping the Lord with reverence.

Rejoicing with trembling

Blessed because I take refuge in Him

Psalm 1:1-6

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!

[2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

[3] And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

[4] The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.

[5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

[6] For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.


Psalm 1 - Psalm 1:1-6


Open It

* 1. When has peer pressure influenced your attitudes or actions?
2. What’s most important to you about your friendships with Christians?
3. How do you think you would feel if you were not allowed to attend church?

Explore It

* 4. What activities does the righteous person avoid? (1:1-3)
5. What is the theme of this psalm? (1:1-6)
* 6. How are the righteous and the wicked different? (1:1-6)
* 7. What are the main points the psalm writer makes in this poem? (1:1-6)
8. How does the psalm writer connect delight and meditation? (1:2)
9. What does a righteous person do a lot? (1:2)
10. What does the image of the tree tell us about the righteous person? (1:3)
11. In what way is a righteous person rewarded for being righteous? (1:3)
12. What differences are there between righteous people and unrighteous people? (1:3-5)
13. What differences are implied by the references to “tree” and “chaff”? (1:3-5)
14. How are the righteous described in the psalm? (1:4-5)
15. How are the wicked described in the psalm? (1:4-5)
16. What consequences do the wicked face? (1:5)
17. What role does the Lord play in relation to the righteous and the wicked? (1:6)
18. How do the futures of the righteous and the wicked differ? (1:6)

Get It

19. What does it mean to meditate on God’s law day and night?
20. Why is Christian fellowship important?
21. What positive ideals does this psalm encourage us to follow?
* 22. What does this psalm teach us about spiritual discipline?
23. In what sense does a righteous person “prosper”?
24. What image or mental picture would you use to describe yourself?
25. What activities should you avoid because of your desire to be righteous?
26. Whose company should you avoid and why?
27. How can we demonstrate our delight in God’s Word?
28. What kind of “fruit” should we yield?
* 29. In what specific ways does this psalm encourage you to seek righteousness?
30. How have you experienced the Lord’s protection in your life?

Apply It

31. What specific steps can you take in the next few weeks to demonstrate your delight in God’s Word?
32. What concrete action can you take to avoid an unrighteous behavior?
* 33. What righteous attitude or action would you like to cultivate in your life over this next week?


AFFIRMATIONS

TODAY I AM:

Not walking in the counsel of the wicked.

Not standing in the path of sinners.

Not sitting in seat of scoffers.

Delighting in the law of the Lord.

Meditating on His law day and night.

A tree firmly planted by streams of water.

Yielding fruit in its season.

My leaf does not wither.

Prospering in all that I do.

CONCLUSION

Are these nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit something we do, or things the Spirit does for us?

Although clearly the Spirit is the Planter and Producer of the fruit as He alone can initiate and empower these graces, nevertheless, each of these nine graces is also commanded of believers.

Every believer has great potential for as Paul explained we have “been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)

Our task on earth as obedient children is to work out now what God has worked in us. Or as Paul instructed the saints at Philippi, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12, 13)

Charles Spurgeon is careful to add that fruit calls for care. If you have a garden you will soon know this. We had a profusion of flowers upon our pear trees this year, and for a few weeks the weather was warm beyond the usual heat of April, but nights of frost followed and cut off nearly all the fruit. Other kinds of fruit which survived the frost are now in danger from the dry weather which has developed and endless variety of insect blight, so that we wonder whether any of it will survive. If we get over this trial and the fruit grows well we shall yet expect to see many apples fall before autumn, because the worm has eaten into their hearts and effectual destroyed them. So is it with Christian life; I have seen a work for the lord prospering splendidly like a fruitful vine, when suddenly there has come a frost night and fond hopes have been nipped; or else new notions, and wild ideas have descended like insect blights and the fruit has been spoiled; for it the work has escaped these causes of damage, some immorality in a leading member or a quarrelsome spirit, has appeared unawares like a worm in the center of the apple, and down it has fallen never to flourish again.

God does not make a law against the nine fold fruit of the Spirit for these are the very virtues that God desires believers to supernaturally manifest in a Christ like walk. And just as there is “no law” against the fruit of the Spirit, there is likewise no law which will produce them for they cannot be produced by your self-effort, including attempts to keep the law.

Neither God nor man has ever made a law against these things; the more there is of them, the better will it be for everybody, Oh, that they prevailed all over the world!

Good men make no law against these things, nor does God, for He approves of them, What a wonderful cluster of the grapes of Eshcol we have here! The fruit of the Spirit, as if all this were but one after all; many luscious berries forming one great cluster. Oh, that all these things may be in us and abound, that we may be neither barren nor unfruitful!

C. Norman Bartlett writes that although there is no law against the aforementioned fruit of the Spirit, many Christians live and act as if there were, if one judges by the meagerness of spiritual fruit bearing in their lives. Law can neither produce nor prevent the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Legality, however, militates against the vitality so essential to their production.

S. Lewis Johnson writes that in the concluding words of Galatians 5:23 there is an important point made by Paul. The Law of Moses finds no flaw in the fruit of the Spirit. The flesh may imitate, or counterfeit, certain of the virtues, but is can never produce them. The Spirit alone can do that, and the results satisfies all the demands of the moral law in the believer’s life. It is sometimes forgotten that life by the Spirit in not a lower standard than life by the moral law, or the Ten Commandments. It is, if anything a higher standard. Arthur Way has caught that in his rendering of Galatians 5:18: “But if you definitely surrender yourselves to the Spirit’s guidance, you are then not under any law, but on a HIGHER PLANE!”

Vincent explains that against such virtues there is no law to condemn them. The law can bring no charge against them.

Richards adds that laws are passed against sinful acts. No one would think of passing a law against love, joy, kindness, goodness, or patience. It follows then that Law is irrelevant to Christians who live by the Spirit. What need is there for Law in a heart where love, kindness, and goodness reign? Commit yourself to Jesus, actively love others, and trust the Spirit to express Himself through you. Do this, and you need not worry about the Law.

James Boice writes that this last clause is most likely an understatement used for rhetorical effect. The law, as Paul has said, was given to restrain evil; but these qualities do not need to be restrained. Hence, no law opposes them. There may also be a sense, however, in which Paul is suggesting that the law cannot be against such as live in this manner because of the very fact that by being so led they are in principle fulfilling what the law requires.

William Kelly asks: “When did law ever produce these?” So the law will never condemn those who walk in these thing. If you are producing these fruits of the Spirit, there is no condemnation against them.


SPIRITUAL GROWTH

O Thou Most High,
In the way of Thy appointment I am waiting for Thee,
My desire is to Thy Name,
My mind to remembrance of Thee.
I am sinner, but not insensible of my state.
My iniquities are great and numberless,
But Thou art adequate to my relief, for Thou art rich in mercy;
The blood of Thy Son can cleanse from all sin;
The agency of Thy Spirit can subdue my most powerful lusts.
Give me a tender, wakeful conscience
That can smite and torment me when I sin.
May I be consistent in conversation and conduct,
The same alone as in company, in prosperity and adversity,
Accepting all Thy commandments as right,
And hating every false way.
May I never be satisfied with my present spiritual progress,
But to faith add virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity,
May I never neglect what is necessary to constitute Christian character,
And needful to complete it.
May I cultivate the expedient, develop the lovely, adorn the gospel,
Recommend the religion of Jesus, accommodate myself to Thy providence.
Keep me from sinking or sinning in the evil day;
Help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth and use
Them on suitable occasions, so that its doctrines may inform, its warning caution,
Its rules guide, it promises comfort me.

SELF CONTROL

Self control comes from the Greek word “egkrateia” which means literally a holding of oneself in or the ability to take a grip of oneself. This meaning reminds us of one our modern slang expressions, “Get a grip!” It refers to the restraining of passions and appetites that originate from the old self.

To be self-controlled is to not live in bondage to the desires, passions and appetites of the flesh. The physical human body is a good servant but miserable master.

In short, “egkrateia” describes the personal rule or master over fleshy impulses that would be impossible without the Holy Spirit’s control>

In the ancient world, self-control characterized athletes who sought to be self restrained and self disciplined, qualities which were crucial in their quest for victory in the intense competition of the elite Olympic Games.

Self-control means mastering one’s emotions rather than being mastered by them. Lack of self-control plays a significant role in abominable deeds of the false teachers Peter exposed in Chapter 2 of his Second Epistle.

“Egkratei” points to a supernatural inner power to control one’s old desires and cravings inherited from Adam. Sometimes we as saints forget that even though we have been crucified with Christ and are dead to the domination and or power of sin, the old desires are still latent and are able to be activated in our mortal bodies

The Greek word “egkrateia” has the idea of to get a grip on one’s self, on one’s passions. Many of the early Christian heresies taught that since the physical body was evil, which it is not, it is morally neutral and is solely an instrument either of the Spirit of or sin, it was not necessary to curb evil lusts, but that one only had to think correctly. In contrast, Paul teaches that self control is not a result of self-effort but a fruit wrought by the Spirit as we rest in Him, trust in Him, and walk by Him. Then God receives the praise and the glory for the victory instead of self, which ever seeks to usurp God’s rightful place and receive the glory due only to Him!

C Norman Bartlett writes that by temperance is meant self-control in the broadest sense of the term. We need to go into training for Christ and to keep ourselves spiritually fit at all time, for we never know when a critical test may come or a golden opportunity arise that will call upon our spiritual reserves. To this end we should be prepared to give up whatever mars our witness and hinders usefulness in the Master’s service. Attaining to the best may necessitate abstaining from the rest. The letter must sometimes be sacrificed to the higher good.

Brian Bill writes that nestled among the Spirit’s produce is the seemingly out of place fruit of self-control. This characteristic of a Christ follower seems to focus more on me instead of my relationships with other people. I can exercise self-control when I’m the only person in the house. In fact, sometimes the hidden, private moments when no else is looking is precisely when I need self-control the most. However, if we properly exercise the fruit of self-control, it will benefit those around us. In some ways, we might consider this virtue the most important because without self control the works of the flesh cannot be overcome and the other elements of the Fruit of the Spirit will not be evident.

When the Greeks wanted to illustrate self-control, they built a statue of a man or a woman in perfect proportion. To them, self-control was the proper ordering and balancing of the individual.

Pastor Bill adds that Felix was no different than many others in the Roman Empire. Scholars tell us that when ancient Rome was disciplined and controlled, it was a great nation, but when it became saturated in its own sin it lost its glory. Drunkenness, orgies, and an “anything goes” mindset cause Rome to cave inward and implode upon itself. The decline of the Roman Empire went hand in hand with self-indulgence. I wonder if America is going down the same road?

Vincent adds this historical not on self-control in ancient athletes. The candidate for the races was required to be ten months in training, and to practice in the gymnasium immediately before the games, under the direction of judges who had themselves been instructed for ten month in the details of the games. The training was largely dietary. Epictetus says: “Thou must be orderly, living on spare food, abstain from confections; make a point of exercising at the appointed time, in heat and in cold; nor drink cold water or wine at hazard.” Horace says “ The youth who would win in the race had borne and done much; he hath sweat and been cold; he had abstained from love and wine.”

Adam Clark writes that “egkrateia means continence (Webster = exercising self restraint, especially a refraining from sexual intercourse), self government, or moderation, principally with regard to sensual or animal appetites. Moderation in eating, drinking, sleeping etc.

William Barclay says “egkrateia” is that great quality which comes to a man when Christ in his heart, that quality which makes him able to live and to walk in the world, and yet to keep his garments unspotted from the world.

Pastor Steve Cole observes that there is a paradox here: to be Spirit controlled results in being self-controlled. As we walk by the Spirit, He produces in us the ability to control every area of our lives in line with His holy purposes. This implies active responsibility on your part. Sometimes speakers on the spiritual life state that you are to be completely passive, “Just let go and let God,” “If you are striving, you are not trusting.”

This is clearly unbiblical. Paul wrote: “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. (Colossians 1:29)

Bot are true. The self controlled person is submitting himself to God’s will as revealed in His Word, whereas the self willed person is acting for this own selfish desires, disregarding what God wills. Because God has given us new life in Christ and has given His Holy Spirit to indwell us, we have both the responsibility and the ability to yield our self will to His revealed will.

Pastor Cole goes on to describe how we cultivate the grace of self-control summing it up noting that “Walk by means of the Holy Spirit every day.” This undergirds the whole process.

Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

He goes on to talk about the strong desires of the flesh that war against the Spirit. If you do not conquer these desires, you will not grow in godliness. You don’t win wars accidentally! You must devote yourself to battle, committed to fit with everything you’ve got. Anything less will result in defeat. To walk by the Spirit means to depend upon and yield to the indwelling Holy Spirit moment by moment every day. Walking is not as spectacular as leaping or flying, but if you keep at it, you will get where you are going.

Also, the picture of fruit implies a slow, deliberate process. There will be setbacks and difficulties along the way. The question is are you actively, purposely walking by the Spirit, coming back to dependence on Him when you have fallen, so that over the long haul, the fruit of the Spirit, including self control, is growing in your life?

Wayne Barber discusses Peter’s mention of self control in 2 Peter 1:6, reminding us that this self control arises from and is accompanied by our knowledge which comes out of obedience to the Word of God. It comes right out of that faith that God gives us.

The definition of self-control means to be able to hold one self in. Paul is talking about an athlete and how he has to have self-control. This would include self-control over his appetite, his temper, his schedule, an athlete needs priorities or he will become undisciplined. It you want to play on the basketball team in college, you had to have discipline or self-control.

Remember that the definite article (“the”) is before each godly characteristic so Peter is talking about “the”self control, “the” very self control and self restraint that Jesus had, even as He Himself was tempted as all men are. And yet God gives us access to that same self-control! So that’s where the analogy breaks down, it’s not human energized self-control Peter is talking about but that which is available by faith (obedience) from Christ in us. The Christian ought to have control over his appetite.

How many diets have you been on? You lose some but then you gain it right back. Remember that Scripture repeatedly links idolatry and immorality. Immorality and a person with an uncontrolled appetite is closely related all the way through Scripture. Believers because of Christ within them, possess the potential to control their temper, to exercise control over their desires, the power to say “no”, the power to set godly priorities, the power within them so that they can turn off the television and go to be early so they can arise early to be fresh with God in the morning, the self control to get out of bed in the morning to be alone with God. And all of this self-control comes out of faith. We don’t have to go to a course or read a book on how to become self controlled! That control is within us and if we are diligent to see results, then we will see God work it out in our life and move us into His victory.

Dangerous Freedom

Freedom is dangerous in the hands of those who don’t know how to use it. That’s why criminals are confined in prisons with barbed wire, steel bars, and concrete barriers. Or consider a campfire that is allowed to spread in dry forest. It quickly becomes a blazing inferno. Uncheck freedom can create chaos.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the Christian life. Believers are free from the law’s curse, its penalty, and its guilt producing power. Fear, anxiety, and guilt are replaced by peace, and liberty. Who would be more free than one who is free in the depths of his soul? But here is where we often fail. We use freedom’s luxury to live selfishly, or we claim ownership of what God has merely entrusted to us. We slip into patterns of self indulgent living, especially in affluent societies.

The proper use of freedom is “faith working through love” to serve one another (Galatians 5: 6, 13). When we rely on the Spirit and expend our energies on loving God and helping others, the destructive works of the flesh will be restrained by God. (Gal 6:16-21). So let’s always use our liberty to build up, not tear down.

Like a raging fire, freedom without limits is dangerous. But when controlled, it is a blessing to all.

Christ came to give us liberty

By dying in our place;

Now with new freedom we are bound

To share His love and grace. D. De Haan

FREEDOM DOESN’T GIVE US THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT WE PLEASE, BUT TO DO WHAT PLEASES GOD!

Cupcake Self Discipline

An old adage says: “Next time you want a cupcake, eat a carrot.” The saying is good advice for dieters, but those who framed it may have had all of us in mind. By disciplining our desires when no moral principle is a stake, we prepare ourselves for those moments when we face a temptation to sin.

This kind of discipline is what Paul referred to when he used the term self control in his list of qualifications for church leadership (Titus 1:8). We need this reminder today. Many people think they can live immorally now and suddenly stop when they want to. Because they do not consider the addictive power of sin, they find that living up to their good intentions is far more difficult than they had anticipated.

Proverbs 25:28 tells us that if we lack self control we are a defenseless as a city with broken down walls. Consistent self-discipline will build up our spiritual defense system against the forces of evil.

When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control, we make a habit of virtuous living and practice the reality of Paul’s words in Romans 6:18, “ Having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

TO GAIN SELF-CONTROL, GIVE CHRIST CONTROL!

GENTLENESS

The Greek word for “gentleness” is “prautes”. It describes the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of self importance. “Prautes” is a quality of gentle friendliness, gentleness, meekness, as strength that accommodates to another’s weakness, consideration, restrained patience, patient trust in the midst of difficult circumstances.

“Prautes” denotes the humble and gentle attitude which expresses itself, in particular in a patient submissiveness to offense, free from malice and desire for revenge; controlled strength; the ability to bear reproaches and slights without bitterness and resentment; the ability to provide a soothing influence on someone who is in a state of anger, bitterness and resentment against life; the word indicates an obedient submissiveness to God and His will, with unwavering faith and enduring patience displaying itself in a gently attitude and kind acts toward others, and this often in the face of opposition. It is the restrained and obedient powers of the personality brought into subjection to God’s will by the Holy Spirit. It is the opposite of arrogance. The word stands in contrast to the term orge, wrath, anger as a state of mind. It denotes the humble and gently attitude which expresses itself, in particular, in a patient submissiveness to offense, a freedom from malice and desire for revenge, mildness, patient trust in the midst of difficult circumstances.

C Norman Bartlett says that gentleness, or meekness, cannot be too strongly insisted upon that meekness is not weakness. It is strength held under control, power kept in reserve. Steam does the most work when it makes the least noise. Not a few of us need less noise and more poise. Things need not shatter to matter. There is more might in sunlight falling silently upon a small patch of earth that in the crashing thunder and flashing of lightning in a terrific storm. We do well to store up the capital of quietude against the day of need.

John Eadie writes that this Christian grace in universal in its operation, submission Godward, meekness manward, which seems to be it special reference.

William Barclay comments that gentleness is an attempt to translate the untranslatable word “prautes”. This is a great Greek word which has no precise English equivalent. Aristotle defined it as the mean between excessive anger and excessive angerlessness; it is the quality of the man whose feelings and emotions are under perfect control. Andronicus Rhodius, commenting on Aristotle, writes, “Prautes” is moderation in regard to anger. You might define “prautes” as serenity and the power, not be led away by emotion, but to control emotion as right reason dictates. The Platonic definitions say that “prautes” is the regulation of the movement of the soul cause by anger. It is the temperament of a soul in which everything is mixed with the right proportions. No one can ever find one English word to translate what is a one-word summary of the truly teachable spirit. The teachable spirit is docile and tractable, and therefore humble enough to learn. The teachable spirit is without resentment and without anger and is, therefore, able to face the truth, even when it hurts and condemns. The teachable spirit is not blinded by its own overmastering prejudices but is clear eye to the truth. The teachable spirit is not seduced by laziness but is so self controlled that it can willingly and faithfully accept the discipline of learning. “Prautes” describes the perfect conquest and control of everything in a man’s nature which would be a hindrance to his seeing learning and obey the truth.

Barclay adds that “prautes” describes the man whose temper is always under control. He knows when to be angry and when not to be angry. He patiently bears wrongs done to himself but is every chivalrously ready to spring to the help of others who are wronged.

Barclay says the best illustration of “prautes” is the watchdog who is bravely hostile to strangers and gently friendly with familiars whom he knows and loves.

Thomas Constable in his note on “prautes” adds that the Greek word occurs in non-biblical literature to describe a horse that someone has broken and had trained to submit to a bridle. It pictures strength under control, specifically the Holy Spirit’s control. The evidence of this attitude is a deliberate placing of oneself under divine authority. The only way to control the tongue is to place one’s mind deliberately under the authority of God and let Him control it.

Ray Stedman describes meekness as “strength under control” adding that it is real strength, but it does not have to display itself of show off how strong it is. This what our Lord beautifully displayed. He described Himself as “meek and lowly in heart.” The first curriculum of the Holy Spirit is that we must do what Jesus said, “take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.”

Trench adds that “prautes” is closely linked with humility, and follows upon it because it is only the humble in heart which is also the meek; and which, as such, does not fight against God, and more or less struggle and contend with Him. This meekness, however, being first of all meekness before God, is also such in the face of me, even of evil me, out of a sense that these with the insults and injuries which they may inflict, are permitted and employed by Him for the chastening and purifying of His elect. This was the root of David’s meekness when Shemei cursed and flung stones at him, the consideration that the lord had bidden him (2 Samuel 16:11), that it was just for him to suffer these things, however unjustly the other might inflict them; and out of like convictions all true Christian meekness must spring. He that is meek will know himself a sinner among sinners, and this knowledge of his own sin will teach him to endure meekly the provocations with which they may provoke him, and not withdraw himself from the burdens which their sin may impose.

F. B. Meyer writes that it is not easy to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit because it has many counterfeits. Some people are naturally easy going, devoid of energy and ambition, at heart cowardly, or in spirit mean. Many of us are characterized by a moral weakness and decrepitude that make it easy for us to yield rather than contest in the physical or intellectual arena.

But in gentleness there must be the consciousness of a considerable reserve of force. The greatness of God is combined with omnipotence. The movement of creation, in which where is neither voice nor language, proves the infinite forces which are at work. When a boy is trying to lift or carry a heave beam, as likely as not there will be a great crash when he reached the end of his task, and puts in on the ground. His strength is so nearly exhausted that he is only too glad to get rid of his burden, anyhow, and at any cost. But if a strong man shoulders the same burden, and carries it for the same distance, he put it down gently, because he has not taxed his strength and has plenty left.

It is the prerogative of great strength to be gentle. Always remember that are linked with the Infinite God, and all things are possible to you. There must be infinite pity. We must be tolerant and pitiful to those who abuse us, or have been embittered by disappointment, or have been ill-used. It must also be our aim to make allowances for such, and always to be sweetly reasonable towards any brusqueness, rudeness and bad manner of their behavior. Let us be willing to admit that much is due to congenital moroseness. Therefore, we bear gently with the erring and with those who are out of the way, because we also are encompassed with infirmity.

It is necessary also that there should be a deep humility. Thomas a Kempis says, “If thou will be borne with, bear also with another. Endeavor to be patient in bearing with the defects and infirmities of others, what sort soever they be; for that thyself also hast many failings which must be borne by others.” Our resentment against others should always be tempered by our remembrance of our own sins. So shall we be God’s own gentlefolk.

How Gentle Are You?

A pastor writes that during my years as a pastor, I encountered many Christians who were anything but gentle. They have no patience for fellow believers with character flaws or who were involved in sinful practices. They also showed little or no kindness toward unbelievers. The thought that gospel messages should always include dire warnings of the torments of hell.

Recently I heard about a company that had decided to open their stores on Sunday. Because they were located in an area with many churches, the corporation received scores of condemning letters from angry Christians. Some even said they were glad there was an eternal hell for those who had made this decision. Christian and non-Christian employees were offended and embarrassed. Lack of gentleness had harmed Christ’s cause.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were quick to judge and lacked gentleness. They criticized Jesus because He ate and drank with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 11:19). They were shocked because He showed concern for those people instead of harshly condemning them. He didn’t approve of what they did, but He saw them as sinners created in God’s image whom He had come to serve.

Let’s follow Christ’s example.

“O to be like Him, tender and kind,

Gentle in spirit, lowly in mind;

More like Jesus, day after day,

Filled with His Spirit, now and always.” Ellsworth

NOTHING IS SO STRONG AS GENTLENESS, NOTTHING SO GENTLE AS REAL STRENGTH. Francis de Sales

A Gentle Witness

We as followers of Christ can be tolerant of people of diverse religious beliefs without compromising our Christian convictions.

When the Apostle Paul can to Athens, he was distressed by the idolatry he saw. Yet he spoke respectfully to this pagan audience, even affirming the words of some of their poets. He didn’t denounce his hearers, nor criticize their beliefs, but began by declaring truths they would not find offensive. He spoke of God’s greatness as our Creator. He said that God is actively involved with mankind so that people might seek Him and find Him.

Paul didn’t compromise the truth. He showed the folly of worshiping idols and boldly declared that God commanded people everywhere to repent. He further stated that God had appointed a Man to judge the world and proved this by raising Him from the dead.

In global society we will come in contact with more and more people of different religious beliefs and practices. Our witness will be most effective when we avoid quarrels and arguments, and share our faith with respect, kindness, and gentleness. The Holy Spirit will bring conviction and enlightenment as people see the truth lived out in us.

“O Lord, transform my stubborn heart,

And help me always see,

That gently, kind and courteous

Is what I ought to be. Anon

A KIND WITNESS IS THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS

FAITHFULNESS

“Faithfulness” comes from the Greek word “pistis.” As used in Scriptures usually refers to one’s belief or faith in God, in His Son, in His Gospel by which one is saved through grace.

In this present context, “pistis” takes on a different meaning, instead of referring to that virtue which makes a person one on whom others can rely, dependability. This fruit in man is predicated on the truth about God, His faithfulness. So when a believer manifests this trait in interpersonal relationships, he or she is become a “partaker of the divine nature,” acting in godliness or “God likeness.” Even as a child exhibits family resemblances, loyalty, trustworthiness and fidelity in a believer presents to others an accurate, Spirit empowered, manifestation of the unseen God.

In a word this component of the fruit of the Spirit describes one’s trustworthiness, loyalty, reliability, adherence, constancy, dependability, devotedness. Another synonym is the word fidelity.

Let’s see what other have to say about faithfulness:

Witherington writes that in a list as this “pistis” in all likelihood does not refer to faith, but rather to faithfulness, and so it is one again an attribute of God now predicated of the believer. More importantly for our discussion, Paul sees it as the paragdigmatic term to describe the self giving action of Christ, in particular referring
His voluntary surrender to death on the cross in obedience to God’s will and plan

The faithfulness of Christ is to be likewise mirrored by Christians. This term in Greek literature refers to trustworthiness, a person who acts in good faith, and it is perhaps likely that the Gentile Galatians would hear some of these sorts of overtones here, especially in view of the two term which follow this one and conclude the list.

Wuest agrees that in Galatians 5:22 “pistis” does not refer here to faith exercised by the saint, but to faithfulness and fidelity as produced in the life of the yielded Christian by the Holy Spirit.

Morris says that faithfulness is the ability to serve God faithfully through the years and through the temptations of life is not something we achieve by heroic virtue. It comes from the Spirit

Hendrickson writes that “faithfulness” is faithfulness to God and to His will, accordingly, the virtue which, in all probability, Paul is here commending as a gift of the Spirit. This, however, does not exclude but includes loyalty toward men.
Hansen says faithfulness is the quality of keeping commitments in relationships. The Galatians proved to be fickle in their attitude toward Paul. Only the Spirit can produce the quality of loyalty no matter the cost.

John Eadie writes that faith is not simply faith in God in the theological sense, that being implied, as the Spirit dwells only in those who have faith, not merely fidelity or good faith, nor veracity; but trust generally, trustfulness toward God and towards man. Confidence in God, in all His promises, and under all His dispensations; a spirit of unsuspicious and generous confidence towards me, not moved by doubts and jealousies, not conjuring up possible causes of distrust, and treasuring up sad lessons from previous instances of broken plight.

William Barclay on faithfulness writes that faithfulness is fidelity, the word “pistis” is common or secular Greek for trustworthiness. It is the characteristic of the man who is reliable.

Albert Barnes concludes that the word here may be used in the sense of fidelity, and may denote that the Christian will be a faithful man, and man faithful to his word and promises; a man who can be trusted or confided in. It is probable that the word is used in this sense because the object of the apostle is not to speak of the feelings which we have towards God so much as to illustrate the influences of the Spirit in directing and controlling our feelings toward men. True religion makes a man faithful. The Christian is a faithful as a man; faithful as a neighbor, friend, father, husband and son. He is faithful to his contracts; faithful to his promises. No man can be Christian who is not thus faithful; and all pretensions to being under the influences of the Spirit when such fidelity does not exist, are deceitful and vain.

Adam Clarke says that faith, here used for fidelity, punctuality in performing promises, conscientious carefulness in persevering what is committed to our trust, in restoring it to its proper owner, in transacting the business confided to us, neither betraying the secret of our friend, not disappointing the confidence of our employer.

J. B. Lightfoot in discussing the concept of faith in his commentary on Galatians, notes that in Hebrew, Greek and Latin that the definitions of the word for faith hovers between two meanings; trustfulness, the frame of mind which relies on another and trustworthiness, the frame of mind which can be relied upon. “Pisitis” seems not to be used in Galatians 5:22 in its theological sense “belief in God.” Its position points rather to the passive meaning of faith, “trustworthiness, fidelity, honest.”

C. Norman Bartlett says that here Paul refers to faith which can also be seen as faithfulness. Probably capable of a double meaning, of trustfulness and trustworthiness. The one who is lead by the Spirit has an unwavering confidence in God and reliance upon His words of promise; at the same time he manifests dependability in the discharge of the responsibilities which the Lord sees fit to lay upon him. Having faith in God involves keeping faith with God. We trust Him. How far can He trust us?

Morris simply puts it like this: Faithfulness is the ability to serve God faithfully through the years and through the temptations of life. It is not something that we achieve by heroic virtue. It comes from the Spirit.

The Father’s Faithfulness

Hudson Taylor, the humble servant of God to China, demonstrated extraordinary trust in God’s faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:

“Our heavenly Father is a very experience One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning. He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all. Depend on it, God work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.

We may be faint and weary, but our heavenly Father is all-powerful. Our feelings may fluctuate, but He is unchangeable. Even creation itself is a record of His steadfastness. That’s why we can sing these words from a hymn by Thomas Chisholm: “Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moo, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.”

What an encouragement to live for Him! Our strength for the present and hope for the future are not based on the stability of our own perseverance but on the fidelity of God. No matter what our need, we can count of the Father’s faithfulness.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,

Great is Thy faithfulness, lord unto me.” Chisholm

HE WHO ABANDONS HIMSELF TO GOD WILL NEVER BE ABANDONED BY GOD.


All Things Work Together

It is only a faithful person who truly believes that God sovereignly controls his circumstances. We take our circumstances for granted; saying God is in control, but not really believing it. We act as is the things that happen were completely controlled by people. To be faithful in every circumstance means that we have only one loyalty, or object of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ. God may cause our circumstances to suddenly fall apart, which may bring the realization of our unfaithfulness to Him for not recognizing that He had ordained the situation. We never saw what He was trying to accomplish, and that exact event will never be repeated in our life. This is where the test of our faithfulness comes. If we will just learn to worship God even during the difficult circumstances, He will change them for the better very quickly if He so chooses.

Being faithful to Jesus Christ is the most difficult thing we try to do today. We will be faithful to our work, serving others, or to anything else; just don’t ask us to be faithful to Jesus Christ. Many Christians become very impatient when we talk about faithfulness to Jesus. Our Lord is dethroned more deliberately by Christian workers than by the world. We treat God as if He were a machine designed only to bless us, and we think of Jesus as just another one of the workers.

The goal of faithfulness is not that we will do work for God, but that He will be free to do His work through us. God calls us to His service and places tremendous responsibilities on us. He expects no complaining on our part and offers no explanation on His part. God wants to use us as He used His own Son.

Your Faithful Friend

“For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 57:10)

Junior high school can be one long intensive seminar on drama in relationships. I am convinced that any psychological malfunction in my life today is directly traceable to those two years of school. Okay, maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but junior high did teach me a little about fickle friendships.

I was minding my own business when one of Nancy’s friends came up to me and announced, “Hey, did you know that Nancy likes you?” To be honest, I had never given Nancy a second thought until that moment, but suddenly I was intrigued. My male ego was suddenly stirred and I liked the idea of being liked! So I passed my message back through the string of friend that had conveyed the message to me. That is, of course, how junior high romance works. I told my friend, who told another friend, who told Nancy’s friend, who then passed the message back to her.

“Joe says that he likes you too!”

But by the time my message got back to Nancy, she no longer liked me! For the first time I was singed by the fickle flames of romance.

A lot of our friendships are like that, aren’t they? We look back across the landscape of life and see different friends popping up here and there, our buddies from junior high, and the girl we took to the prom in high school, the college roommates, and the co-worker from the cubicle next to us. We realize quickly that many of those friendships. Often consumingly important at the time, fade into dim memories leaving us thinking, “I wonder what happened to…?”

Even more disconcerting is realizing how fickle we are in friendships. In honest moments, we could list the people we no longer get in touch with, or the phone calls we don’t return. In life, solid, faithful to the core friendships are few and far between.

I wonder if you and I bring that same dynamic into our relationship with Jesus? When we first meet Jesus, He is everything to us! But as time wears on, we tend to drift away. When was the last time He heard from you? When was the last time you sat down to hear His voice and fellowship with Him? As the old saying goes: “If God seems far away, guess who moved!” You may have gone on to other interests, but thankfully He hasn’t lost interest in you. He, more than anyone else, remains there waiting for you as your faithful friend!

The psalmist often sings of God’s undying love for us. And I need to tell you that it is not the kind of love that rides on emotions or favors. It is an expression of God’s enduring, rock solid commitment to you as His beloved, and it is often linked, as it is here in Psalm 57:10, with His unfailing faithfulness. In fact, the psalmist literally cannot get his mind around the extensiveness of God’s love and faithfulness, conceding finally that God’s love “reaches to the heavens” and His faithfulness “reaches to the skies.” In other words, it is without limit and without end.

So when you receive word that God loves you, please know that it is not a junior high school, fickle, fleeting kind of love. It is a life changing, eternally satisfying offer of a fulfilling friendship with your Creator. Today He stands knocking at your door wanting to come in and spend some quality time with you (Revelation 3:20). Go ahead, open the door of your heart, it’s your faithful friend!