THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 88)
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3386
THE GLORY OF GOD ( PART# 88)
From Glory to Glory ( Study #67)
Walking By The Spirit #37
REVIEW OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT#10
When a believer is controlled by the Holy Spirit, he or she manifests:
1) UPWARD FRUIT ( towards God ): Love, Joy, Peace (Galatians 5:22)
2) OUTWARD FRUIT ( towards others )
(Galatians 5:22b) which consists of
patience,
kindness and
goodness (faithfulness)
3) INWARD FRUIT ( towards self )
(Galatians 5:22-23)
made up of faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control.
1. INWARD FRUIT OF FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS AND SELF-CONTROL TOWARDS SELF
SELF-CONTROL AS THE THIRD INWARD FRUIT TOWARDS SELF
The ninth, and final fruit is self-control
(Enkrateia) which has a reference to restraining passions and appetites.
This grace does not apply to God, who obviously does not need to restrain Himself. Perfect holiness possesses perfect control.
This is how Peter explained the manifestation of self-control in the context of the Christian life.
It is long but worthwhile reading:
2 Peter 1:3-15.
[3] His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, [4]by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. [5] For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, [6]and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, [7]and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. [8] For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. [10] Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. [11] For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [12] Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. [13] I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, [14] since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. [15] And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. (ESV)
Abba Father,
those who live in a righteous manner, live in such a way that they have no need of any law to admonish or constrain them, but willingly do what the law requires (See 1 Timothy 1:9–10.)
The law exists for restraint, but there is nothing to restrain in these qualities.
The believer who walks in the Spirit and
manifests fruit does not need a system of law to produce the right attitudes and behavior for they rise from within.
Indeed Self-control is the epitome of spiritual maturity in Christ.
