Reflections on “Love+Joy+Peace!” May 7, 2024
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.
Words are so important! God spoke the world into being. He made sure we would learn about our Father God and His Love through Words!
In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth. Another In the Beginning says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3.
The beginning of the Fruit of the Spirit begins with Love—and Love gives us Joy—which leads us to Peace in our hearts. But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name defend them. Be joyful in For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous. With favor, You will surround him as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12.
Without Love, we will not have the Spirit of long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control because these come from the Holy Spirit by loving others.
What is this thing called Love? Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:4-8, 13.
How can we become a new person in Jesus Christ? Colossians 3:12-14 teaches us to embrace righteousness and echoes the message of Galatians 5:22-23. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
What was in the minds of the Children of Israel when they crossed the Red Sea on dry land? The Egyptians came to recapture them, or they would drown in the sea before them.
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again, no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14.
Trusting in God, we will see His Mercy. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Psalm 85:10-11.
How often do we think we need to solve problems alone and don’t realize the Greatness of God. We don’t need to believe prove we can live without the Hand of God. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil. Psalm 90:14-15.
It is so tiring to solve all our problems alone in our lives! And we need rest. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:23-30.
Mercy, truth, righteousness, and peace are aligned with Love. The times when we are accepted, loved completely, and when we please someone. The ultimate joy comes from pleasing God and learning to obey His commandments. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, walk in it. 2 John 5:6.
How do we learn in this day and age when so much truth is needed? We turn to God’s Word. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:26-27.
When our heart is open to Jesus—we know God is listening and He loves us so. We want to be taught. Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait, all the day. Psalm 25:4-5.
I often remember this verse–as the years whiz by — Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39.
I wonder what is trusting, what is loving with all our heart, soul, and mind? Then I remember how Chapter 28 of Matthew ends with a beautiful promise that brings ultimate Joy and Peace. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20.