the mystery that has been kept hidden
for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God
has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this
mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:26-27
It is a blessed thing to discover the difference between
Christian graces and Christ; to know the difference between meekness and
Christ, between patience and Christ, between love and Christ.
Remember again what is said in I Corinthians 1:30:”Christ Jesus …….was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”.
The common conception of sanctification is that every item of the life should be holy; but that is not holiness, it is the fruit of holiness. “Holiness IS Christ.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ being made over to us to be that.
So you can put anything there: love, humility, power, self-control. Today there is a call for patience: He is our patience! Tomorrow there may be a call for purity: He is our purity! He is the answer to every need.
That is why Paul speaks of the ”fruit of the Spirit” as one (Gal 5:22) and not of “fruits” as separate items.
God has given us His Holy Spirit, and when love is needed the fruit of the Spirit is love; when joy is needed the fruit of the Spirit is joy.
It is always true.
It does not matter what your personal deficiency, or whether it be a hundred and one different things, God has always one sufficient answer, His Son Jesus Christ, and He is the answer to every human need.
Remember again what is said in I Corinthians 1:30:”Christ Jesus …….was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption”.
The common conception of sanctification is that every item of the life should be holy; but that is not holiness, it is the fruit of holiness. “Holiness IS Christ.
It is the Lord Jesus Christ being made over to us to be that.
So you can put anything there: love, humility, power, self-control. Today there is a call for patience: He is our patience! Tomorrow there may be a call for purity: He is our purity! He is the answer to every need.
That is why Paul speaks of the ”fruit of the Spirit” as one (Gal 5:22) and not of “fruits” as separate items.
God has given us His Holy Spirit, and when love is needed the fruit of the Spirit is love; when joy is needed the fruit of the Spirit is joy.
It is always true.
It does not matter what your personal deficiency, or whether it be a hundred and one different things, God has always one sufficient answer, His Son Jesus Christ, and He is the answer to every human need.
Amen.
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