Wednesday in the Word Krisan Marotta

Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit isn't doing random acts of kindness. Nor it is following rules to earn your gold star. Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.







Key Points









* Goodness as a fruit of the Spirit is not doing random acts of kindness.







* Goodness is not following the rules to earn your gold star.







* Goodness is an active pursuit of what is right and holy in both speech and action.







* The way modern society defines goodness is a pale imitation of the fruit of the Spirit.







* Passage: Ephesians 5:1-12.







* Word: Strong’s G19.









Next: 09 Fruit of the Spirit: Faith







Previous: 07 Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness







Series: Fruit of the Spirit







Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















Goodness as a Fruit of the Spirit







In this series, we are searching for an understanding of the fruit of the Spirit. Today we'll be talking about goodness. We're exploring Scripture to see what Scripture says about these concepts, and therefore what Paul had in mind when he wrote the list.







I have argued throughout this series that the items on this list are not feelings. Rather, they are qualities that result from a profound shift in worldview. As the Spirit of God teaches us truth, our perspective changes. That new perspective changes how we act, respond and treat each other, and these qualities result.







Review







In the letter to Galatians, Paul refutes the argument of the Judaizers who claim that faith in Jesus is not enough. They argue Gentile believers must also keep the law. Paul spends most of this letter refuting that claim and arguing that faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation.







In Galatians 5, where we find this list, Paul argues that law-keeping does not accomplish what it claims to accomplish. Law-keeping cannot make us holy because it doesn't change anything inside. We may strive to keep more laws, but inside we are still sinners.







Conversely, Paul argues that true moral transformation comes from the Spirit of God. God reconciles us to Himself because of Christ's death on the cross. Then He gives us His Spirit. His Spirit teaches us truth and brings about this genuine change. The items on this list result. In this series, we are on a quest to figure out what those items are. Today we're talking about goodness.







Goodness is a fairly simple idea. Think of the contrast between good and evil. But goodness is being nice to people. Instead, goodness is the pursuit of that which is right and holy as opposed to pursuing that which is evil, corrupt and against God.







Ephesians 5:1-4







In this part of Ephesians, Paul exhorts his readers to live in keeping with the gospel they claim to believe.







1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Kindness as a fruit of the Spirit is not good deeds. Rooted in understanding God's kindness, it's intentionally acting to benefit others.















Key Points









* Kindness is an active choice to bring good to others despite their faults or actions towards us.







* Biblical kindness is grounded in understanding God’s kindness toward us.







* God’s kindness is both a present reality and a future hope.









Next: 08 Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness







Previous: 06 Fruit of the Spirit: Patience







Series: Fruit of the Spirit







Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















Kindness as a Fruit of the Spirit







In this series, we are searching for an understanding of what Paul had in mind when he wrote the list of the fruit of the Spirit. We are exploring Scripture to see what Scripture says about these concepts and, therefore, what Paul was thinking when he wrote the list. 







I have been arguing the items on this list are not feelings. Rather, they are lifestyle changes that result from a profound shift in worldview because the Spirit of God teaches us truth. 







For those of you just joining us, I will remind you of the context of Galatians, where we find this list. The Judaizers claim that faith in Jesus is a good starting point, but Gentile believers must also keep the law. Paul spends most of the letter arguing they are wrong. Faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation. 







In Galatians 5, Paul argues that law-keeping does not make us holy because it changes nothing about who we are inside. We may strive to keep laws we used to break, but inside we are still sinners. 







Conversely, Paul argues that true moral transformation results from the Spirit of God. Christ's death on the cross reconciles us to God. Therefore, God gives us His Spirit who changes us from the inside out. As the Spirit teaches us truth, that changes our worldview. The results are the items on this list of the fruit of the Spirit. In this series, we're on a quest to figure out what those are. 







Kindness is an action







Today we are talking about kindness. The word kindness is a simple but very profound idea. In the New Testament, we see kindness used in two main ways. First, kindness describes working to accomplish a good result for someone. Kindness is not the way I feel towards someone else. It is the way I act toward them. Kindness actively works for their good. 







When we looked at peace and longsuffering, we talked about withholding a response. We might decide not to strike back or retaliate. This word 'kindness' is more active. We are actively working for someone else's benefit. 







The second context where we see this word kindness describes doing good for someone in spite of their faults. We act kindly despite the way they may have treated us. We see most clearly when the Bible talks about God's kindness toward us.







Titus 3:1-7







1Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

Patience as a fruit of the Spirit results from belief. We are longsuffering because we fix our hope on the promises of the gospel.















Key Points









* Patience as a fruit of the Spirit is not waiting without complaint. It’s enduring because of what we believe. It's best translated by the old-fashioned word, longsuffering.







* Scripture talks about longsuffering in two main contexts: 1) enduring personal hardship; and 2) dealing with other people.







* Abraham is an example of someone who patiently waited for the God to fulfill His promises (Hebrews 6:13-15).







* James uses the analogy of farmers who work now because they trust in the future harvest (James 5:7-11).







* Patience as a fruit of the Spirit is not passive endurance. It longsuffering, based on fixing our eyes on the hope of the gospel.







* Greek Word: Strong's G3115.







* Passages: Matthew 13:20-21; Hebrews 6:13-15; James 5:7-11; Colossians 1:11; 1Thessalonians 5:14-15.









Next: 07 Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness







Previous: 05 Fruit of the Spirit: Peace







Series: Fruit of the Spirit







Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















Fruit of the Spirit: Patience







In the letter to Galatians, Paul refutes the argument of the Judaizers. The Judaizers claim that it's not enough to believe in Jesus. They say, the Gentiles must also live like Jews, and keep the law. Paul writes this letter to refute that claim. He spends most of the letter arguing that faith in Jesus alone is sufficient for salvation.







In Galatians 5, where we find this list, Paul argues that law-keeping does not accomplish what it claims to accomplish. Keeping that Law does not make us good people. We may keep laws we used to break, but inside, we're still sinners.







Conversely, Paul argues that true moral transformation comes from faith in Christ. Because we have been reconciled to God by the cross, God gives us His Spirit. His Spirit changes us from the inside out, producing a genuine moral change. The Spirit produces the fruit in us. In this series, we're on a quest to figure out what these fruits are.







Patience







Today, we're talking about the quality that my translation renders as patience. Today, we use the word patient to describe someone who sits in a waiting room for a long period of time without fidgeting or complaining. While that is a kind of patience, that's not what we're talking about in Scripture.







I'm about to break one of my own Bible study rules and talk about etymology. Etymology traces the evolution of a word and analyzes its component parts. Arguments from etymology are weak at best. The current meaning of a word is often far removed from what it meant when it was coined. The meaning of words changes and evolves over time.







In Bible study, we focus on how a word was used at the time the author wrote it. Even so,

We typically think of peace as fruit of the Spirit as "peace of mind." But most often Scripture speaks of peace as unity among believers.















Key Points









* Peace can refer to peace with God (Romans 5:1). We have been reconciled to God because of the cross. Therefore we are no longer under His wrath, and we have peace with Him.







* Peace can refer a trouble-free life. In the kingdom of heaven, we will be free from troubles, tears and enemies and will be at peace.







* Peace can refer to peace of mind. We can remain calm in the midst of trouble because we stand firmly on the promises of the gospel.







* Peace can refer to a unity or lack of strife among believers. As we recognize our equality under God and learn to trust Him more, we can be patient and forbearing with each other.







* Peace among believers is a theme in Galatians 5







* Greek Word: Strong's G1515.







* Passages: Romans 5:1; John 16:32-33; Philippians 4:2-7; Ephesians 4:1-6.









Next: 06 Fruit of the Spirit: Patience







Previous: 04 Fruit of the Spirit: Joy







Series: Fruit of the Spirit







Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















Peace as a Fruit of the Spirit







Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to correct the teaching of the Judaizers. The Judaizers claimed that Christ's death on the cross is not enough to be saved. They said to be pleasing to God, Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic law. 







Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians to refute that claim. He spends most of his time arguing that faith in Jesus is sufficient for salvation. 







In the immediate context of this list, Paul explains why removing the consequences of the Law does not give us a license to pursue sin. Freedom in Christ gives us a different motivation to avoid sin. We have the teaching of the Spirit, who is giving us a heart that loves God and loves holiness.







Romans 5:1







Peace in the Bible is used in several ways. First, we have peace with God.







Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:1







What does it mean to have peace with God? Because we have been justified, we have peace with God. We have been at war with God. Now that war is over and we are justified. Peace has been declared. As Paul says a few verses later in Romans 5:10, we were once enemies of God, but now we are reconciled to Him. 







Peace with God







Peace with God means we are no longer under God's wrath. We are no longer God's enemies. Because we have been forgiven and justified by the cross of Christ, the war between us is over. We now have peace. That's part of the great news of the gospel.







Peace with God, as opposed to war, is not a fruit of the Spirit.

We often think joy is synonymous with happiness -- something dependent on circumstances. However, Scripture presents an entirely different picture. Joy as a fruit of the Spirit results from hope and understanding, allowing us to be joyful no matter our circumstances.















Key Points









* Scripture teaches that joy coexists with suffering.







* Joy is how we respond when we know something good has come or is coming our way







* Joy is more closely tied with hope than happiness.







* Joy as a fruit of the Spirit results from believing in gospel—which transforms our worldview—and gives us an enduring hope.







* Passages: 2Corinthians 6:3-11; 2Corinthians 8:1-2; James 1:2-4; Matthew 13:44; John 16:21; Luke 15:4-10; Matthew 28:5-8; Romans 12:12; Romans 15:13; 1Thessalonians 5:16-18; Psalms 30:5; Galatians 5:25.







* Greek Word: Strong’s G5479.









Next: 05 Fruit of the Spirit: Peace







Previous: 03 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 2







Series: Fruit of the Spirit







Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















Joy as a Fruit of the Spirit







Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians to correct the teaching of the Judaizers. The Judaizers thought that believing in Christ was a necessary first step to salvation, but that Gentile believers must also live like Jews and follow the Mosaic Law. 







In the immediate context of this list, Paul argues that being free from the Law does not give us a license to pursue sin. As believers, we have a different motivation to avoid sin. We have the teaching and the guidance of the Spirit.







Today we're going to talk about joy. At first glance, there seems to be nothing to say. Everyone knows what joy is.







2Corinthians 6:3-11







The easiest way to define joy is to look at what joy is not. Our gut reaction is joy is the same thing as happiness. When I have joy, I feel good about everything. But the Bible frequently describes a situation where we feel terrible and have joy. For example, in 2Corinthians, Paul describes the difficulties of being an apostle.







3We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11We have spoken freely to you,

In addition to learning to love our neighbors, the Spirit also produces a unique bond between believers. Part of learning to love God is learning to love His people.







Key Points









* The way we respond to believers reflects how we respond to Jesus.







* Disciples of Jesus show their love for Jesus by loving his people, rather than mocking or persecuting them.







* Faith is invisible. It doesn’t leave a mark on the body or change your appearance.  But it does change the way treat other believers.







* Love as a fruit of the Spirit results from the Spirit changing believers from self-centered creatures to people who love God and His people. 







* Passages: Matthew 10:40-42; John 13:34-35; Matthew 25:31-40; Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3-5; 1Peter 1:22-23.







* Greek Word: Strong’s G26









Next: 04 Fruit of the Spirit: Joy







Previous: 02 Fruit of the Spirit: Love Part 1







Series: Fruit of the Spirit







Fruit of the Spirit Discussion Questions















Love as a Fruit of the Spirit 2







We find this list in Galatians 5, where Paul explains why being free from the law is not an excuse to sin. Believers have a different motivation to avoid sin. Instead of the threat of the consequences of the Law, we have the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit, who changes us from the inside out.







Paul argues the Spirit produces a real moral transformation because the Spirit changes us from the inside out. Obedience promoted by law keeping is a fake obedience, because it's put on the outside. Law-keeping produces the list of the works of the flesh. The Spirit produces the things that we find on this list of the fruit of the Spirit.







In the last podcast, I argued that love as a fruit of the Spirit is not a warm, fuzzy feeling. Love as a fruit of the Spirit is not an emotional state that we find ourselves in. It is not something we are given instantaneously, but rather it is something that grows over time. As I will argue for all the items on the list, the fruits of the Spirits are not feelings. Rather, they are a perspective change that results from the Spirit teaching us truth.







Love as a fruit of the Spirit is an action. Love acts for the benefit of another person. It is rooted in the understanding of our essential equality before God.







The Spirit teaches believers to see the lie of a self-centered view of life. We start to see and understand our place before God standing next to our neighbors, equal in dignity and equal in guilt. Over time, as the Spirit teaches us, we become willing to act for the benefit of others in the way that we would want them to act for our benefit.







What I want to talk about today is another kind of equality that we must recognize. Last week we talked about the equality that all of us share as creatures made in God's image. What I want to talk about today is the special and unique bond we have with other believers.