Righteousness: Part IV

Yesterday I mentioned that we would talk about the "fruits of the Spirit." Many of you have either heard this verse, read it, or both. It is also found in Galatians. Let's have a look.

Galatians 5:22-23 reads, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law."

There are plenty of verses that coincide and run parallel to this verse. Again, one of the most known is the following from John 15:5. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Look at Ephesians 5:8-13. "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible - and everything that becomes illuminated becomes a light.

In this passage, in parentheses, Paul makes a reference to the qualities that one can embody from the "fruit of the light." That is, ones whose eyes have been opened. The transformation from "darkness to light" when accepting the Father and becoming a Christian. Goodness. Righteousness. Truth.

Just 2 verses further, we read, "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Galatians 5:15-17

Before we can display the actions and attitude of righteousness, much is required. Not impossible, but a change in a former mindset, and strong working knowledge of the inner working parts in the Bible is a must.

It may seem that John 15:5 could be thought to be "all encompassing," but that would not be the case. Righteous behavior requires a heightened and thorough understanding. John 15:5 is an excellent place to start; however. It can be a foundational building-block. Christians must have a desire to dig deeper, delve in, gain knowledge and perspective toward the goal of becoming an evangelist. I pray that I am promoting and providing a text worthy to put "arrows in your quiver" for God.

Righteousness may be defined as being "morally justifiable" or "acting in accord with divine law," but again, I make the case that it is much more.

In the corporate world there is a saying. The whole is worth less than the sum of the parts. This reference can be easily explained by providing an example using the company General Electric. While in recent years they have sold some of their "business units," I can remember a time when the company had twelve separate and independently operating businesses. GE Finance. GE Avionics. GE Power. You get the idea.

In the finance world, it is a general practice for someone covering the company as an analyst to determine the worth of the company not solely based on the totality of corporation, but also by placing a value on the independent entities. In this way, adding the sum of each business, under the lens of what another company might acquire an individual "business unit;" more often than not (with respect to private valuation) becomes a figure larger than just the number of shares outstanding, multiplied by the cost per share on the open market. This figure is derived based on what each separate business would be worth in a private acquisition by another company; hence, the sum of the parts being worth more than the whole.

The "fruits of the Spirit" are not governed by law. They are each independent in their own right. Love. Joy. Peace. Forbearance. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. And finally self-control.

All are independently important. All can be independently displayed. It is their value, separately, that makes the sum of the parts worth more than the whole. Try one of them today. Be cognizant and aware of how small acts of say, kindness, are received by others.

As Christians, it is important for others to see God in us. Doing so, and having our display recognized by others as such, will not only help others, but just as important it will help ourselves. Be humble in the idea that you also will reap the benefits. It will increase the faith within you; continuing on your journey to effectiveness in your growth and walk with God.

We will continue to examine these individual parts in the next few subsections. That being said, start today by exhibiting just one, and be amazed by where it will take you in your relationship with others.

Most all of us have been to a wedding. We have heard 1 Corinthians 13:3. This is your reference point for the "fruits of the Spirit to become evident, properly displayed and received by others.

Be reminded, "If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love I gain nothing."

Follow down to the first sentence in verse 8:  "Love never fails."

Class dismissed.