Today’s daily devotion with Wayne and Kimberly Jo….

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬)

UNDERSTANDING BIBLICAL GOODNESS

▶️ Those who are unsaved cannot do good 

Romans 3:10-12

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matt 7:9-11) 

▶️ Christians are “good,” but don’t always “do” good 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him (Eph 1:3-4).

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1). 

However, even Christians struggle to “be” and “do” good 

Acts 15… (contention between Paul and Barnabas) 

And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus (Acts 15:39). 

(Issue between Peter and Paul)

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party (Gal 2:11-12) 

Paul’s own confession 

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing (Romans 7:19) 

▶️ Goodness is expressed by action 

Jesus was perfect and did good

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him (Acts 10:38). 

Barnabas is described this way: 

for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord (Acts 11:24). 

▶️ Goodness can be exhausting! 

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good (2 Thes 3:13)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:9). 

Application

Pray Scripture… 

1 Peter 2:15

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Wayne and Kimberly Jo’s Daily Devotion 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (‭‭Gal ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬). 

▶️ Being kind is not optional 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Eph 4:32). 

▶️ Being kind is the appropriate, biblical response

“Love is patient and kind” (I Cor 13:4).

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:8). 

▶️ Being kind should also be proactive 

    🔹 Kind in the way we speak

“speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15) 

    🔹 Kind in the way we live 

Applying this truth of Scripture 

Colossians 3:12

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 

Wayne and Kimberly Jo continue their daily (M-F) devotion over the Fruit of the Spirit. Today's topic is patience.

Patience: 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬

3 areas we struggle with patience

1. Patient with people

"People are not inconveniences. People are opportunities."

2. Patient in trials 

Rom 12:12

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

James 1:2-4 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

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3. Patient with God 

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Abraham waited 25 years! (75-100) 

Helpful Scriptures

Isaiah 40:31

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

James 5:6-8

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

3 things to remember:

1. Trust God’s plan (Rom 8:28)

2. Trust God’s heart 

Romans 8:37-39

… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

3. Seek God’s face 

Phil 4:6-7 

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Wayne and Kimberly Jo continue their daily (M-F) devotion over the Fruit of the Spirit. Today's topic is peace.

The Fruit of the Spirit–PEACE

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Antonyms for peace: stress, anxiety, unease, worry, fear 

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

1. Peace: The Vertical Element 

Romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(See also Romans 5:1-11) 

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2. Peace: The Horizontal Element

The Great Commandment

Mark 12:30-31

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Hebrews 12:14

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

3. Peace: The Internal Element 

Ephesians 4:26-27 

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

(See also Romans 8:1) 

Romans 12:18  (See also verses 19-21)

 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Questions or comments? Email us at:  [email protected] 

Wayne and Kimberly Jo continue their daily devotion over the Fruit of the Spirit. Today's topic is joy.

Wayne and Kimberly Jo continue their daily (M-F) devotion over the Fruit of the Spirit. Today's topic is love.

Christians are to manifest the "fruit of the Spirit" as listed in Galatians 5:22-23. There are 9 aspects listed. In this episode, Wayne and Kimberly Jo give a general introduction.