Spiritual Maturity and Growth for 2011
January 8, 2012
I was a guest on a blog talk radio show hosted by Sarah Lee Miller tonight. In this show I shared the primary spiritual lesson God taught to me in 2011. To me, this was an essential missing piece that was inhibiting my testimony and production of spiritual fruit. God is working on us individually and promises to complete the good work HE started so long as we stay the course. I believe it may edify some of you and post it here for your listening convenience.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/saralee144/2012/01/08/golden-nuggets#.TwkkE_xpTng.email
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Hi Pete,
I was blessed by hearing your testimony on this subject and since hearing this, I have been praying and meditating, knowing I needed to get a better understanding for myself. Something I have heard so many times, yet not really receiving the full depth of this important truth.
In Gal 5: 22 -23 that lists the 9 attributes of the “fruit of the Spirit.” It does not refer to these things as fruits (plural) implying that the fruit of the Spirit is actually ONE, which is LOVE, with the other virtues being different manifestations of love in operation.
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
What love, joy, piece, etc., I thought I seeked when I was a babe in Christ was still with how my carnal flesh identified these attributes. The “SPIRITUAL love, joy and piece, etc., is different” as I find this difference comes with maturity in my walk and we can only experience this in our life if we are walking in covenant with a circumcised heart. Because I cannot fake or force these attributes. Loving our Lord God with all our hearts and our neighbor as thyself. These are gifts given and without these gifts man’s heart is incapable of this agape love and receiving these spiritual gifts.
There are many definitions in the Strongs for “fruit”. The H6529 & H6509 is REWARD, first fruit, bear, bring forth, GROW, INCREASE. For me this is the seasoning of time, the maturing, the deeper love and friendship with my God. There is nothing I can do but continue to love Him and focus on our covenant and the bond between us. What He chooses to give me or not give me I am satisfied with.
I found this quote on the attribute of longsuffering for my own understanding to be interesting, by John Gil 1697 -1771
LONGSUFFERING; …..which intends not so much a patient waiting for good things to come, for more grace, and for glory, through the Spirit; …. ((((but a patient bearing and enduring)))) of ((( present evils with joyfulness,))) being strengthened by the Spirit with all might, according to his glorious power; being slow to anger, ready to forgive injuries, put up with affronts, and bear with, and forbear one another: and which is usually accompanied with gentleness, humanity, affability, courteousness, shown both in words, gestures, and actions; in imitation of the gentleness of Christ, and agreeably to that wisdom, that heavenly doctrine of the Gospel, which, among other things, is said to be gentle, and easy to be entreated.
Grace and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Linda Ryan
@Barb Amen. This is the cross we must carry daily. This casting out of all fear goes hand and glove with the fullness of love working in our hearts. And without fear there is that perfect peace that was promised. It has been hard to maintain that spot but that is my goal and what I strive for more and more each day.
I just listened to your interview Pete and consider it ‘right-on’ and valuable for our times. The love walk is a mandate and who of us is ever able to do that but for the grace of God. The God’s kind of love is called agape and is acquired by dying to self – because self is so self centered and selfish. Little by little, as we wholeheartedly desire to know the Lord, as He is in spirit and truth, and determine to be changed by His power – we get changed and find ourselves loving with the God kind of love (which sometimes is revealed as tough-love lol). But, oh how difficult it is to let that same Spirit work death in us – our self kind of love. Hurts to die – but what joy and peace is revealed as pride and fear are eliminated.
Amen amen!!! I hope this goes viral!!!
The worse part about pride, is that it is blinding, and God resists us!! And in pride, you cannot love, you become very unloving, harsh, judgmental, and merciless. Been there- being (hopefully am) delivered by the grace and faithfulness of God…and a lot of painful humbling. I have been seeing how big an issue pride has been in me, for so much of my life…and then it became spiritual pride. YUCK! Lord, I do not want this in me. Create in me a clean heart….Thank you for sending your word to reveal sin and cleanse us.
Thank you for your testimony Pete and the wise words of your personal expierence,
I have been battling with the same issues. Your words have been a blessing to me.
Peace be with you
Bill
I listened to the broadcast and I have to say that it was very encouraging. Pride is the biggest issue in my life. Everything you said was on point and to God be the glory for not only what you said but the new peace you mentioned having after God shone the light — that’s a good feeling. I’m currently learning how to overcome pride and I have to remember that it’s a war. God bless you.