Aurora watched Disney’s 1991 version of Beauty and the Beast for the first time several weeks ago. Part way through, Belle entered the top of the stairway in her infamous golden yellow ball gown. “She’s a princess!” Aurora beamed. I found it interesting that, until that moment, she didn’t recognize the lady in the movie as a princess until she was dressed as such. Aurora has similar reactions when she sees me in a dress rather than my usual shorts and tank top, “Mommy’s a princess!”
I thought about this and how it relates to followers of Yeshua (Jesus). Not with outer appearance, but with the inner makings of our attitude. The Word of God says in Matthew 7 that “even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
What is the good fruit that we ought to be known by?
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Let’s look at each fruit’s definition:
Love (agape love): “love; the highest form of love, charity, and the love of God for man and of man for God. …it embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends, that persists regardless of circumstance.
I once heard it said that, “You are the most like God when you are giving (charity).”
Joy: “a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.” “The joy of the Lord is you strength!” Nehemiah 8:10
Peace: “freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.” and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Longsuffering: “having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.”
Kindness: “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.”
Goodness: “the quality of being good, in particular.” Good: “to be desired or approved of.”
Faithfulness: “the quality of being faithful; fidelity.” Faithful: “steadfast in affection or allegiance
Gentleness: “the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.”
Self-control: “the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.”
God’s Word says that we are the salt and the light (Matthew 5). “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?” “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Our “fruit light” should be shining so bright that when we enter the stairway the people beam, “They’re the salt and light! Glory to God!”
In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!