TOOLS FOR JESUS
In his letter to the‘Galatians’Paul gives us nine wonderful ways in which we can live in the Holy Spirit.
That is living in the assurance and certainty of Pentecost.
Let us select three over the next three weeks and discover how these wonderful Spiritinspired qualities can be tools for Jesus. Paul wrote:“
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy and peace”(Galatians 5.22). What we will do is simple.We will see how Jesus uses these qualities in his dealings with us. Then we can discover how we can use them in our conduct with others.
God’s love is the fountain of all pure and lovely qualities.
Our positive and wholesome attributes are born in the soul of love The New Testament uses a special word for God’s love.
It is‘agape’(pronounced A-ga-pe). The New Testament is full of wonderful thoughts about God’s love for people in Jesus. John tells us:“God so loved the world that he gave us his only-begotten Son that whosoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have everlasting life”(John 3.16).
While Paul wrote:“God showed his love towards us that while we were yet separated from him Christ died for us” (Romans 5.8).
Nothing can ever weary God in his love for us. Only our rejection of that love can prevent God loving us.
Jesus gave us a kind and thoughtful commandment. “Love one another as I have loved you”(John 15.12).
This is an overwhelming directive from the Lord. Jesus explains:“As the Father loves me so have I loved you”(John 15.9). Here is the unbroken circle of love. We are to love one another as Jesus loves us. And Jesus loves us with the same pure and holy love that the Father showered upon him.
Joy is Jesus’useful tool given through the Holy Spirit. Christian joy has its foundation in God. There is joy in our heart and soul because we are sure of the promises of God. The psalmist said:“I joyed when to the house of God go up they said to me” (Psalm 122.1).
When that joy in the Lord’ inspires us then we can share that joy with others.
Here is a super little exercise. Joy is spelt J O Y.‘J’stands for Jesus who comes first.‘O’stands for others, and we think about them next.‘Y’stands for yourself and we think of ourselves last of all.
That is a efficient tool of faith to use for the Lord.
We could write for ever about peace. How greatly we need peace for today. Peace is more than the simple absence of trouble. Peace is that inner assurance of heart and soul found in the Lord.“When peace like a river attends my way. When troubles like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot you have taught me to say:‘It is well, it is well with my soul’” Peace was Jesus’ parting gift to his disciples before Calvary:“Peace I give unto you, my peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives do I give unto you’(John14. 27) Peace was Jesus’greeting after the resurrection: “Peace be unto you’”(John 20.19).
While Paul gives us that golden description of a person at peace with God.“Since we are justified by faith, ( that means,“since we are in a right relation with God”), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’(Romans 5.1-2).
Folks, you should repeat that verse to your soul every morning when you rise and every evening before you sleep.
If you can keep calm in life’s storms, if you can bring quietness to friend and family, if you are the source of peace to others in distress, then you have a wonderful tool of faith to use for the Lord.
Jesus’love, his joy and his peace are like three friends and we meet them every day.
When they join hands they form a triangle of spiritual support for you and your loved ones. Then you are alive in the Spirit
‘The Lord is your keeper. The Lord is your shade on your right hand.’(Psalm 121.5)