Chapter 13.12
First Word
I
was born in the late 1930’s in Georgia
in the “Bible
Belt”; that would automatically make me a Democrat and a Christian;
it was just something that we all said we were. Everybody in the neighborhood went to the Big
Baptist Church on the hill and every time the doors opened we all would be
there.
By the time of
high school in the 1950’s, things were different, I met new people who said
they were Christians, but spoke crudely and were mean spirited, bullying and acted like
they belonged to some kind of teenage gang. I asked a new girl for a date to go to church
and when we arrived she said, “You really did mean
Church didn’t You”, and asked to sit in the balcony because of
how she was dressed.
I can remember a
deacon
cursing violently at our church[2]
and another in his business using political underhanded tricks; to beat out his
competition; he said, “well that just
business”.
BELIEVERS & NON-BELIEVER all begin to look the same to me.
As a
contractor,
Dad put molding on cars and trucks for
the Atlanta Gas Light Company. Over time
he learned how to do it faster and lowered his prices. I asked why he would do such a thing, he was
losing money; he said, it was the right thing to do and “it was just GOOD business”.
When new
regulations on Paint Booths caused 90% of the body shops to close down; Dad did not complain, he
went to the bank and borrowed money to build a bigger and better booth. The results caused him to run three shifts; 24
hours a day to handle all the additional business.
When I
complained about my food, dad told me that my complaint was
against God who provides everything we have… it sure makes me
think twice about complaining about anything.
The Book says that all things will work together for good, for
those that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.[3] My dad stayed extremely busy, but found time
to teach Sunday School to a bunch of boys who needed their life formed. My dad was a sermon.
The Phony
Federal
Agents are trained in detail how to recognize genuine legal tender,
that’s how they can spot a PHONEY in seconds. Instead
of me telling you how to spot a phony Make-Believer,[4] I
will just report here what the Book says is a description of the Genuine
Believe, then you can look at your own fruits and judge if you are
the REAL THING or a PHONY; a Believer
or a Make-Believer.
The Book says we
are not to judge, but to be “Fruit Inspectors”;[5]
you will know a Believer or Make-Believer by the fruits that fall on the ground
around their life tree.
The Fruit of the Spirit is just ONE FRUIT, but is made up of NINE characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.[6] The Believer will exhibit ALL
of these characteristics; the Make-Believer with just two or three.
Jesus
is sitting on a plateau on the Mount of Olives and begins to teach those
around Him SEVEN more observable FAITH IN MOTION FRUITS that
are also CHARACTERISTS of the True Believer; this was so they
could tell the genuine
from the PHONY. It’s in the Book
1st Fruit
1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. The term poor in “Spirit” is to emphasize that the
Believer realizes that they are in spiritual
bankruptcy; they know that
they can offer God nothing, and don’t try. The Believer cast themselves upon God and are
totally dependent upon His mercy
Poor in spirit is the opposite of proud in spirit; the
philosophers of the day did not recognize humility as a moral virtue; but Christ puts humility
first.
Question; Does your fruit cause you to consider
yourself as spiritually bankrupt knowing you can’t offer God anything? Does your fruit reflect humility and
dependence on God?[7]
2nd Fruit
2) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall
be comforted. This mourning is
acknowledging their own sins with a broken heart before God; it is just too
deep to conceal.[8]
They weep over perishing souls and anguish
over sin and want right to prevail. This is Godly sorrow with compassion for
injustice, afflictions and sins of others.[9]
Will be; shall be comforted:[10] future tense… requires a genuine true
repentance in order for the believer to receive comfort through the compassion
of God.[11]
Question; Does your fruit produce tears over
your own sins? Do you have compassion for others in their afflictions
and sins? Do you anguish
over those that are perishing because they have rejected God? When you hear a siren, does your fruit move
you to compassion and cause you to pray over
the families and pets that might be involved? Do you pray for our President; our Nation and
those in authority that they will function with Godly wisdom?[12]
3rd Fruit
3) Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth.[13] The meek have an absence of pretense which
suggests self-control and humility, doing their daily work as unto the Lord
with gentleness toward all men. Meekness is
mild and kind, bearing patiently; accepting the daily work without complaint,
murmur or resistance, accepting opposition, insults and provocation… not
seeking power.
It is opposite of; a demeaning spirit, fierceness, anger and cruelty. Meekness is a true view of our self, which
translates into our ACTIONS and ATTITUDE towards others.
We inherit;[14]
we have the title
deed;[15]
the passport,[16]
the entrance
into the kingdom
of God. We are spiritual
citizens and rightful heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven right now.
Question: Is your fruit;
kind, gentle, compassionate and patient,
accepting criticism without murmuring and doing your work as if you were doing
it for the Lord?
4th Fruit
4) Blessed are they which hunger and
thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled.
This is an intense desire to be in right standing with God and from the
heart to wholly do God’s “will”. All
sin, evil and wrong doing to anyone grieves you.
Jesus is appealing to our deepest senses of cravings; hunger[17] and
thirst;[18] appetites return often and need fresh satisfaction; refilling. This is a continual action in the
life of the believer; Hunger, filling; Hunger, filling. This is their personal dissatisfaction of
their “spiritual
attainment” and the desire for more of God,
more of being filled with the Holy Spirit. This “desire”
is the proof or by-product of spiritual regeneration of a Believer.
The un-regenerated
man; the Make-Believer does
not hunger for God.[19] It’s not within man’s “normal ability” or desire to thirst for spiritual things of God.
The Book gives us the
simple prayer of a Father; “I BELIEVE LORD,
HELP ME IN MY UN-BELIEF;”[20] it
is only God that can fill a soul so that it is satisfied.[21]
Question: Does your fruit exhibit an intense
desire to wholly do God’s will;
do you hunger, thirst and crave to be filled with His Spirit
AGAIN each day?
Sidebar
ü The first four fruits represented the
Believers conscious
need for salvation.
ü The next three fruits represent the
Believers as having found salvation, now conducting themselves accordingly by
their actions; THEIR WORKS. We don’t
do good works to be saved;[22]
we do good works because we are saved. The Book: Faith
without good WORKS is a dead faith.
James 2:26 – Faith without good works is a
dead faith
26 Just as the body is dead without
breath, so also
FAITH IS DEAD WITHOUT GOOD WORKS.
NLT
5th Fruit
5) Blessed
are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.[23] The merciful are those that are kind; have
pity and show mercy to others, whether it’s convenient or not.[24] Mercy and compassion
is awakened in them and becomes a function of life to all who follow
Christ;[25] mercy takes away misery.
We are saved sinners; therefore
it’s easy to have compassion for other sinners.[26] The
believer shows mercy because he “has
obtained” mercy; [27]
he doesn’t show mercy to get mercy. Because of our mercy we are increasingly the object of God’s mercy.[28] When we stand in the need of special favor
and mercy, we will receive it, as we have given it.
Question: Does your fruit exercise mercy and
compassion whether it’s convenient or not? Do you stop and reflect; thanking God because
you have obtained His Mercy?[29]
6th Fruit
6) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall
see God.[30] A pure heart has singleness of purpose; no
hidden motives or self-interest, utterly sincere. Church attendance is to
praise and worship God with fellow Believers, not to make contacts.[31]
In the OT, blood was
sprinkled on the Altar for cleansing and purity. We are to have our hearts purified by the
sprinkling of the blood of the lamb.[32]
Question; Does your fruit cause your heart to have a
singleness of purpose for God, with no hidden motive, purpose, or
self-interest?
7th Fruit
7) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall
be called the children of God. Did you
know that the number 7 means COMPLETENESS, you are complete in God; He knows your
name. On “the Last Day” when He sees the Make-Believer,
He will say, “I
never knew you”.
Peacemakers are partaking in the nature of God;[33]
therefore we have peace with God.[34] Peacemakers not only keep the peace, but
bring men in harmony with each other. The
office of a Peacemaker requires a “peaceful disposition”, working to calm the
waters. They are not always welcomed, sometimes opposed and it is usually a
thankless job.
Preserving the Peace is a good and needed office and a blessing to all
involved.[35] There is no more godlike
work to be done in this world
than peacemaking.[36] Through our faith, we are led by the Spirit[37]
and are called “sons
of God”.[38]
Question; Does your Fruit cause you to partake in
the nature of God and become a PEACE MAKER even when you
know it’s not welcomed and is opposed and thankless.
The
Take Away
When
I was a teenager in high-school, I was a member of a group like Youth for
Christ, led by the youth. We
went to other schools to start up other clubs with meetings, music, teaching
and prayer; I found myself running around trying to find new cute girls to
flirt with and strike up long distance relationships; I had a lot of fun, but I produced NO fruit.
My friend Jimmy did the singing, teaching
and praying; BUT I WAS THERE along for the
ride, just make-believing.
As I read this,
my eyes begin to leak as I see where I am failing; God help me to help myself.
I interviewed a man with glowing reports
about what his mother did in the community, but he did not have a testimony of
his own; I am sad to report that God does not have any grandchildren or
step-children; there is only just “children” of God that have their own personal
testimony.
Make-Believes look at their
watch often in Church. My doctor told me
his father was a pastor and a missionary, but he himself would just walk out of the church if the service went longer than an hour.
I must report here that no one can ride
into heaven on the coattails of their parents.
How do you know a genuine
Believer?
You will know them by their fruits;[39]
their WORKS. We do not do good works to be saved; we do
good works because we are saved. Do you
really want to know where your heart is, then go look in your checkbook. It’s in the Book
The Sermon
on the Mount
is not about promises of blessings for the Believer, but shows the “The Real Thing”; the observable
characteristics of action FRUIT of a genuine Believer.
The Make-Believer’s life will not
exhibit this.
This list
is the observable “action fruits” of a Believer.[40]
1)
They are not proud in spirit: they know they are spiritually bankrupt and
can offer God nothing.
2)
They mourn over perishing souls: they anguish
over sin and want righteousness to prevail.
They have compassion for injustice, afflictions and the sins of others.
3)
They are meek, mild and kind: bearing patiently. They do not murmur nor seek power. They accept opposition, insults and
provocations; they have compassion for truth and justice.
4)
They Hunger and thirst to do God’s will; to know
Christ and make Christ known.
5)
They are merciful; showing compassion and mercy
even when it’s not convenient, because they themselves have received mercy and
compassion. They do not show mercy to
get mercy.
6)
They are pure in heart with singleness of
purpose, no hidden motives or self-interest.
They are utterly sincere in their faith.
7)
They are peacemakers, not only keeping the peace,
but bringing men into harmony with each other… working to calm the waters; knowing
many will resent their efforts.
Even before God made
the world,
He loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.[41]
God has appointed you to be a FRUIT
INSPECTOR; to inspect YOUR OWN observable
fruits.
BELIEVER or MAKE-BELIEVER
Matthew 7:21-23 – Some are Make-Believers
that praise God
21 Not everyone who says to me,
‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the kingdom of
heaven;
Only the one who DOES the will of my Father who
is in heaven.
22 Many
will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy
in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then
I will tell them plainly,
23 ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU.
Away from me, you evildoers!’
(NIV2011)
Ephesians 1:4 – The Believer stands
without fault before God
4 Even before he made the world,
GOD LOVED US AND CHOSE US in Christ
TO BE HOLY and WITHOUT FAULT in his eyes.
(NLT)
Salvation is NOT an award for our achievements,
but is the gift of our sovereign God.
Purity of
heart is both the end of our election
and the goal of our redemption.
[1] Matthew 7:22-23 - We prophesied, cast out
demons, performed miracles in your name.’ Jesus
will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from
me, you who break God’s laws
[2] James 3:10 - Blessing and Cursing
should not come from the same mouth
[3] Romans 8:28 – All things work for Good for those that love God
[4] Matthew 7:16-20 – You can spot a phony
Make-Believer by their fruit
[5] Matthew 7:1 – Don’t judge others, instead be a Fruit Inspector
[6] Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Holy Spirit is
within you; love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control
[7] Ephesians 3:8-9 – Paul, chosen by Jesus
Christ, considers himself the least of all
[8] Isaiah 6:5 – The Believer recognizes and confesses his need for God
[9] Psalms 119:136 – The
Believer mourns over sin all around him
[10] Luke 16:25 – The Believer
will be comforted.
[11] Isaiah 61:3 – The
Believer’s mourning will be replaced with gladness.
[12] 1 Timothy 2:2 - Pray for kings and all who are in authority so
that we can live peaceful, quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
[13] Psalm 37:11 – Jesus is
just quoting the scripture in Psalms; the meek
shall inherit the earth -- Matthew 11:29 – Jesus was meek and lowly in
heart.
[14] Revelation 21:7 – We will
inherit all things
[15] Isaiah 66:22 – Our
inheritance is the title deed to Heaven
[16] Revelation 21:1-2 – We
have a passport to a new earth prepared just for
us.
[18] Psalm 42:2 – The Believer
Thirsts for God
[19] Romans 3:11 – The MAKE BELIEVER does not seek God.
[20] Mark 9:24 – The Believers Prayer – I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF
[21] Psalm 17:15 – The Believer will be satisfied
[22] Ephesians 2:8-9 – Works
do not save; Salvation a gift from God
[23] Luke 23:34 – Jesus had mercy on his persecutors; He is our example
[24] 2 Timothy 4:2 – The
Believer is merciful whether convenient or not
[25] Matthew 25:34-40 – Whatever the Believer does, he does everything as unto the
Lord -- Matthew 23:23 – The Believer does not
neglect justice, mercy and faithfulness
[26] Micah 6:8 – The believer loves mercy and walks humbly -- Psalm
41:1 – The Believer is concerned about the poor --
Acts 20:35 – The Believer feels blessed when they can give
[27] Psalm 18:25 – Because of
God’s mercy, we are merciful
[28] Luke 6:37 – Forgiveness begets forgiveness
[29] James 2:13 – The Make Believer - Garbage in – Garbage out
[30] Revelation 22:3-4 – We will see His face -- 1 John 3:2-3
– We shall
see Him as He
is -- Psalm 17:15 – A righteousness heart will see His face
[31] Psalm 24:4-5 – A pure
heart seeks the Lord -- Psalm 51:10 – The Believer prays for a pure heart -- 1
Timothy 1:5 – Love comes from a pure heart
[32] Hebrews 10:22 – Heart
sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb
[33] Isiah 9:6 – His name is
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace
[34] Romans 5:1 – The Believer
has peace WITH
God
[35] Hebrews 13:20-21 – The
Believer has the Peace OF
God
[36] James 3:17 – Our fruit is Pure, peaceful, gentle and full of mercy
-- Isiah 52:7 – God loves the feet of those who proclaim His peace
[37] Romans 8:14 – The
Believer is led by the Spirit
[38] Galatians 3:26 – Through
our Faith we become sons of God -- Hosea
1:10 – You are sons of the living God
[39] Matthew 7:16 - You will know them by their
fruits.
[40] Matthew 5:3-12 – The Beatitudes; the blessings
[41] Ephesians 1:4 – The Believer stands without fault before God
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