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Showing posts from July, 2023

The Fruit of the Spirit 15 (Love is not rude 2)

Continuing from the previous discussion on Love, specifically focusing on “Love is not rude,” I’ll dive deeper into the importance of politeness, respect, and gentle conduct in our daily interactions. Drawing inspiration from 1 Corinthians 13:5 to explore how embodying these virtues reflects the transformative power of Christ's love within us. When we are motivated by the love of Christ, we naturally refrain from behaving unseemly. That means we avoid dishonoring our neighbors or anyone we come into contact with. Instead, we strive to uplift and positively impact others, avoiding emotional harm in our interactions. Respecting those in authority  Not being rude means being polite and gentle and treating others with the honor and respect they deserve. A crucial aspect to address is respecting our superiors, elders, bosses, and those who have lead over us. As Christians, we are to be the most polite and well-mannered individuals, reflecting the state that God has placed us in—His lov...

The Fruit of the Spirit 14 (Love is not rude)

  "Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil." (1 Corinthians 13:5) In 1 Corinthians 13:5, Paul highlights another characteristic of love inspired by the Holy Spirit: Love does not behave rudely. That means that love does not intentionally dishonor or harm others. Those motivated by Christ's love do not seek to shame or disgrace others. In simpler terms, love is polite, courteous, and civil. Seasoned with Grace The concept of behaving unseemly, as mentioned here, primarily refers to being vulgar. Although there are other ways to behave unseemly, such as through attitude, gestures, and body language, I want to focus on vulgarity. In Colossians 4:6, Paul tells us to let our speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, to know how to respond to each person. That emphasizes that our words should reflect the grace we have received. Unfortunately, we often speak in a derogatory manner and negatively impact others because we fail to ...

The Fruit of the Spirit 13 (Love is not boastful)

  Love, in its purest form, does not parade itself, boasting not of its virtues nor puffing itself up with pride. It is a gentle force that suffers long and extends kindness without seeking recognition. As we explore the depths of love, we encounter another beautiful facet: love does not boast or take pride in itself.   To boast is to don a cloak of self-importance and showcase our accomplishments with flamboyance. It is the language spoken by pride, an outward expression of a heart consumed by arrogance.   But let me now unveil the extraordinary life of Jesus — a life that exemplifies true love without a trace of pride or arrogance. If we grasp the profound revelation of His example, we can walk in love, emanating a humble and gracious spirit.   In Philippians 2:5-8 , we find a powerful appeal to adopt the mindset of Christ. Through His mindset, we can embody the selfless love of God and illuminate the lives of those around us.   So, what exactly is this Christ...