THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Contact with death, or even going into a tent where a dead body was, made the Israelite unclean under the Law. The remedy was for water of separation made from the ashes of a red heifer that was offered as a sin offering (Numbers 19)
The red heifer was led "forth without the camp". This pointed forward to Christ (Heb 13:12) who also suffered without the camp and so in Hebrews we are exhorted to go therefore unto him without the camp bearing his reproach. Just as the ashes of the heifer were for the purification of both Jew and gentile – stranger (v10) – the blood of Christ can cover the sins of any. There was no intrinsic virtue in the ashes. It required faith to believe in their efficacy – just like the blood of Jesus.
Romans 6:23 states
•The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God s eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This was because the Lord Jesus had the opposite effect to the Law. He touched dead bodies and they came alive and was thus far superior to the water of separation (purification) made from the ashes of the Red Heifer
•Heb 9:12-14 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Rather than offering sacrifices, the Lord Jesus taught that the Law was fulfilled in love for others. Love God was the first Great Commandment and
•Matt 22:38-40 the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
The Law of Moses was basically honouring God and loving your neighbour and it had been superseded by the Law of Christ.
•Those who are led by Spirit are not under the Law( Galatians 5:18)
Being led by the Spirit, means believing and practising the commandments of the Lord Jesus, and producing the fruit of the spirit, which is love, joy , peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control and Paul states these are far better than the law. Our Love needs to be like God's perfect love, an unselfish (agape) love.. Agape love is where you are prepared to unselfishly be like the Lord Jesus and give up all for the God you love and His servants, just as God gave His Son for us.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 states that someone showing this kind of love is long suffering, kind, doesn’t envy, doesn’t brag, or behave badly. They aren’t partial nor easily annoyed. With no evil thoughts and hating sin, they are truthful, patient, hopeful and good under pressure.
And we can aim to be that kind of person, if we develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, striving to have the type of love which God has for us and which we see in His daily care for us and by His gift of His only Son.
Paul says
•Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:16 .
This character will grow in us if we give ourselves to Him and work to grow the fruit of the Spirit. Baptised believers - those who are Christ’s - need to put to death those feelings which are contrary to God. Which is termed crucifying the flesh.
•Gal 5:24-25 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
And while this might seem quite daunting, Paul closes his letter on a very positive note. (6:2-6)
We need to be prepared to carry our own loads, but be willing to help others. We should not get tired of doing good. In fact, we should be ready to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the household of believers. Remembering that when you put on Christ in baptism you become a new creature in God’s eyes, and it doesn’t matter whether they have been circumcised or not (6:15).
So, from beginning to end of this letter, Paul concentrates on the Gospel of Christ which teaches that whatever their old beliefs were, being ‘in Christ’ makes a new person of them – no longer tied to old beliefs but free to rejoice and produce fruit of the spirit - in contrast to their past bondage to sin.
•Rom 6:20-22 For when ye were the servants of sin,ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
In Proverbs , as we have seen in Galatians, servants of God show love. They are kind to the needy, they don't look down on the poor (Prov 14:20) but have mercy on them and in so doing, honour the Maker of us all (v31),
In today’s world there are so many things which go against the Word of God and the teaching of the Gospel. On the surface they seem right and proper and do no harm to anyone, but lives which take no thought of the commands of God will end in everlasting death as Proverbs 14:12 states.’There is a way that seems right to mand, but the end thereof are the ways of death’. On the other hand those who fear The LORD,and obey the Commandments of Christ in belief, repentance and baptism, can have a hope of eternal life in God’s Kingdom to come, for
Prov 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org
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Numbers 22-25 tells the story of the prophecies and disasters brought upon Israel. Balaam was a prophet who knew the truths of Yahweh the God of Israel. How this came to be we could only speculate. We cannot say where his understanding came from. How often this happens in the Scriptures never ceases to amaze us - Melchizedek's greatness and sudden appearance on the scene at the time of Abraham and Rahab's faith within the Canaanite city of Jericho being two such examples of a similar type. Balaam was known to be a prophet of the Lord GOD living in the Promised Land, probably on the eastern side of the river Jordan, at the time of Israel's wanderings in the wilderness. As Israel drew nearer to Moab the king of Moab, Balak, became anxious since the Israelites had recently overthrown two mighty Canaanitish nations in the kingdoms of Sihon and Og. Balak decides that he needs divine help in bringing cursing upon his foes. The king of Moab sent ambassadors promising untold wealth and beseeching Balaam to come to Moab and curse Israel. Balaam was enticed by the opportunity to become wealthy. However Balaam was warned by God to refuse the ambassadors and to send them home. Balak resent greater ambassadors with increased offers. Balaam said to these men that his answer would have to be the same as previously. The LORD knew that Balaam was extremely covetous and the Almighty would use the arising changed circumstances to achieve His own will. So Yahweh told Balaam if on the next morning the ambassadors repeated their offer, then and only on that basis, Balaam would be allowed to return to Moab with those ambassadors. Greedy Balaam failed to obey God being driven by his intense covetousness. He rose early and said to the ambassadors let's go now. Verses 22-35 describe the Almighty's anger against Balaam and the way in which our Sovereign used a dumb donkey to rebuke the madness of the prophet - see Jude verses 10-11; and also 2 Peter 2:15. Three times Balaam pressed on towards destruction despite the LORD using the ass to try to restrain the mad prophet. Finally God opened the donkey's mouth to try to talk sense into the seer. Some people say that this story in the Bible cannot be believed - despite cocky's talking and parrots; a talking snake in Genesis 3 (science tells us that snakes have larynxes like humans, which renders them capable of speech - even if this were not the case nothing is impossible for our Sovereign. The Almighty having severely reprimanded Balaam allowed him to proceed, but under strict conditions. Balak remonstrates with Balaam on his arrival in Moab. Balaam tells Balak the conditions for his employment. After that Balaam and Balaam offered sacrifices to the LORD and went to a mountain top to view a part of the nation of Israel to commence his prophecies.
Chapter 23 tells us of Balaam's first and second oracles (divine revelations). Verses 1-12 unfolds the messages of the first cluster of prophecies. Balaam again tells of the constraints that the LORD had placed on him. The prophet's first utterance tells of the impossibility of cursing Israel - the people upon whom God had pronounced blessing - see Isaiah 54:17. The seer speaks of future blessings on that nation. Israel will dwell in isolation among the world of nations, as they do now. The final condition of Israeli will be a blessed state, which will bring blessings to the entire earth as Genesis 12:3 and Romans 4:13 reveals. Balak is frustrated with this oracle and castigates Balaam. After further offerings Balaam is given another opportunity to curse Israel. The second oracle commenced with a rebuke to Balak for his foolishness to believe that God could turn against His people and curse them. Israel's deliverance from Egypt was evidence of Yahweh's blessings on them and those blessings continued to abide upon the people of the Divine King of the universe. They will also be blessed when Zion's king rules them from the regal world metropolis in Jerusalem -
Psalm 2; Isaiah 2 verses 1-5;
Jeremiah 3 verses 15-18. The nation of Israel will avenge themselves against their foes at the time of the commencement of Messiah's coming Kingdom. Balak commands Balaam to stop blessing them and to start cursing that nation. More sacrifices were made at Baal Peor as a preparation for the next oracle.
Proverbs 16 deals with the righteous recognising that the LORD is the devisor and director of their paths. Their words and walk in wisdom will be in the understanding that it is He whom we seek to please by our endeavour to walk before him in integrity and uprightness. Whatever we do we need to remember that while we purpose to do things it is only our Sovereign's will that shall come to pass - James 4:13-17. We must plan to do according to our Father's will, not from our lusts and covetousness. We must having committed our ways to our God accept that the outcomes are those which He has allowed. Seeking peace and contentment in life must be objectives which shape and control our walk before the Almighty and within society. Truthful and wise speech will bring favour even in the highest realms; but foolish speech will bring to ruin both the speaker and those who hear such folly. Humility will always precede proper and profitable talk, whereas pride goes before destruction. How sweet it is to hear gracious speech - Ephesians 4 verse 29. By contrast bitter words and gossip are not suitable for followers of truth and righteousness; such words are destructive - James 3 verses 13-18. Verse 25 reiterates one of the Proverbs vital themes: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (ESV). James tell us in his 3rd chapter the importance of controlling our tongue and the 32nd verse of Proverbs 16 tells us how greatly God esteems the control of your tongue: "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city" (ESV). Samson only learned this at his life's end. Let us hear swiftly and speak only after contemplating the wise counsel of God that His Word can generate within our minds. May the Almighty's Word and His ways be the motivation and directing power to our lives.
In Ephesians 3 the Apostle Paul outlines the 'mystery' (the Greek word simply means 'secret') that God always intended for the Gentiles to be included in the blessings of the gospel. From verses 14-22 we read of the Apostle's prayer for the believers' spiritual strength and growth. Notice that the love of God surpasses understanding and includes four dimensions - length, breadth, depth and height. This indicates that the love of the Father cannot be measured. Chapter 4 contains a plea for unity among the body of believers. In the truth there is a sevenfold unity (verses 4-6). This is essentially because God, our Father is one. Those verses cite several Old Testament Scriptures supporting this purpose - Psalm 68; Deuteronomy 30. The result is that the distribution of gifts is defined by the function they fulfil in promoting and producing a united body. Each believer has been called to a new life described in verses 17-32. Carefully read verses 20-24 which tell us how faithful believers in Christ live by modelling their lives on his. Also contemplate the need to replace old evil habits with positive beneficial behaviours as verses 25-32 teach us. The last three verses say that any failure to act in a way that reveals that we are the children of the Almighty will grieve our loving Heavenly Father. The only way to overcome sin is by "replacement therapy".
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christadelphianvideo.org
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css="" css_animation="none"]A @Christadelphians Video: **YouTube Video Title:**
**Video Description:**
In this episode of *Family Matters*, we dive into the importance of healthy eating for families from a biblical perspective. Discover how God’s Word guides us to nourish our bodies, honor Him, and build stronger family bonds through mindful eating habits. Whether you’re looking for spiritual inspiration or practical tips for healthier meals, this talk is packed with wisdom for every family!
📖 **Bible Verses Discussed:**
- 🍎 Proverbs 23:20-21
- � 1 Corinthians 10:31
- 🥖 Matthew 4:4
- 🍇 Daniel 1:8-16
- 🥗 Genesis 1:29
- 🍯 Psalm 34:8
**Timestamps (Chapters):**
00:00 - **Introduction**: Why Healthy Eating Matters for Families
05:12 - **Biblical Foundations**: What Does the Bible Say About Food?
12:45 - **Daniel’s Diet**: Lessons from Daniel 1 on Discipline & Health
20:30 - **Honoring God with Our Bodies**: 1 Corinthians 10:31 Explained
28:15 - **Practical Tips**: How to Implement Healthy Eating in Your Family
35:40 - **Spiritual Nourishment**: Food as a Gift from God
42:00 - **Conclusion**: Key Takeaways & Encouragement for Families
**Why Watch This Video?**
- Learn how to align your family’s eating habits with biblical principles.
- Gain practical tips for creating healthier meal plans.
- Be inspired by stories of faith and discipline from the Bible.
- Strengthen your family’s physical and spiritual health.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8AjMOp4Vjg[/embedyt]
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css="" css_animation="none"]A @Christadelphians Video:
Description: There is a link between the earth's suffering and the sin of mankind. The Bible, in Zechariah 14, reveals that God Who is in control, will intervene to save both the earth and mankind upon it.
**YouTube Video Description:**
🌿 **Is climate change really going to destroy the earth?** What does the Bible say about our planet’s future? In this eye-opening Bible talk, we explore God’s promises about the earth, humanity’s role in creation, and the ultimate hope for our world. Whether you’re concerned about climate change or curious about biblical prophecy, this video will give you answers straight from Scripture!
📖 **Bible Verses Discussed (with Emojis!)** ✨
- 🌱 **Genesis 8:22** – God’s promise of Earth’s stability
- 🌍 **Psalm 104:5** – The Earth is established forever
- ⚡ **2 Peter 3:10-13** – The future of the Earth & God’s plan
- 🌿 **Revelation 11:18** – God’s judgment on those who "destroy the earth"
- ✝️ **Matthew 24:6-8** – Wars, famines, and natural disasters
⏳ **Timestamps (Watch the Full Breakdown!)**
00:00 - **Introduction:** Will Climate Change End the World?
03:15 - **What Does the Bible Say About Earth’s Future?**
07:42 - **Is Humanity Destroying the Planet? (Biblical Perspective)**
12:30 - **God’s Promise: Earth Will NOT Be Destroyed**
16:50 - **The REAL Future of Our Planet (Hope for Believers!)**
21:15 - **Conclusion: What Should Christians Do?**
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climate change bible, will earth be destroyed, bible prophecy 2024, global warming bible, god’s plan for earth, christian environmentalism, bible verses about nature, climate change christian, revelation end times, bible truth about earth