Thank you. I will read this more than once. I appreciate when you speak as an historian. But ,during these restless times ,I cherish when you speak as a pastor even more.
Thanks you for reminding us that in the end we must always act in accordance with our values and our beliefs, and not merely lash out against what we perceive as injustice. Otherwise we are no better than "they" are. And also for reminding us that we are engaged in a spiritual endeavor and not merely a political one.
I am going to use your Fruit of the Spirit as a part of a class/support/discussion/study/group I facilitate here is Ely, MN today as we meet at Grace Lutheran Church here in Ely. I hope that is ok. I think we need this and this may both help and open up our discussion each week as we too struggle on how to navigate our lives/church in this time and place. Thank you.
Dr. Tisby. Thank you for your mission and faith. I have taught Galatians 5 many times. It still remains one of Paul's most powerful exhortations. I might have an alternate take on the passage, however and hope you receive it as intended: to move our hearts toward the One.
Paul is really asking the people of Galatia if they are truly living in the spirit. The fact that the word is "fruit" and not "fruits" is a tell. He is saying that all 9 of them are a package deal. More importantly, he is telling us they are not necessarily aspiration, but rather indicator lights shining for others to see whether you are truly living in the spirit.
I humbly believe these nine are not causal, but rather resultant in nature. Do not misunderstand. These nine so called "fruits" are things we would want to aspire to. Why do I mention this? Like the Galatians, we must be called out for this, of all things: We are living in our sinful nature (Gal. 5:17). Just above this, Paul restates Christ's distillation of the law into to loving our neighbor as ourselves. He ends this Chapter with a piercing statement which presses me to admit whether I really belong to Christ? Have I "crucified" my sinful nature? Ouch! Oh, Oh ... Some of my indicator lights are flashing right now. I have some more work to do.
Reading Jesus words in Matthew 7 this morning, that not only does "a good tree produce good fruit", but "a good tree cannot produce bad fruit". Wow, I had to ponder that second part. The fruit does seem to be an indicator, and not an aspiration, as you say. But it is good to do an inspection, isn't it?!
Thank you for your post on the 'The fruit of the spirit....' I am reminded of a small worship service I attended years ago at a centering prayer retreat weekend. Congregants were invited to come forward and randomly draw a message from two bowls--remember it--and return it to the bowl. One bowl contained folded slips of paper--each with a gift of the spirit written on it, the other bowl--fruits of the spirit. Thinking back, it was very powerful. I still remember what I drew. Given our current time and place, creating two sacred bowls to draw from each day may be a way to let these ancient fruits and gifts of the spirit help me stay centered. For those who lead church services, perhaps you can find a way to introduce this practice during worship.
Thank you for this. I will use this for my meditation.
I finished your book Spirit of Justice yesterday and appreciate the thread of justice that sustains those hearing God’s spirit for good. May we all heed the call for justice and carry it forward.
Dear Jamar, your insight here is so vital. And I would add that we are given the fruit of the Spirit when we obey God’s greatest commandments to love our neighbors and love God supremely.
Let me know if I can send you a free copy of my new book “Learning to Love our Neighbors as Ourselves.”
Jemar, I am so grateful for your heart of wisdom and truth, as you call us to continue becoming more like Jesus in this time of chaos. They’ll know we are Christians by our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Thank you! 😊
"Practice is not about perfection but persistence. In a world bent on chaos, practicing the fruit of the Spirit becomes an act of defiance and hope." Love this! Thank you for this powerful--and loving--reminder, Jemar.
How do we bring Love and be Love? How do we see Joy in the little gifts of each day? Your teaching here - as our virtual Pastor- reminds us that “by their fruits you will know them.”
Thank you Jemar. For fruits of the Spirit, I have love but it needs to be greater, less conditional, I have peace and patience but I sometimes get anxious.
Thank you. I will read this more than once. I appreciate when you speak as an historian. But ,during these restless times ,I cherish when you speak as a pastor even more.
Thanks you for reminding us that in the end we must always act in accordance with our values and our beliefs, and not merely lash out against what we perceive as injustice. Otherwise we are no better than "they" are. And also for reminding us that we are engaged in a spiritual endeavor and not merely a political one.
I am going to use your Fruit of the Spirit as a part of a class/support/discussion/study/group I facilitate here is Ely, MN today as we meet at Grace Lutheran Church here in Ely. I hope that is ok. I think we need this and this may both help and open up our discussion each week as we too struggle on how to navigate our lives/church in this time and place. Thank you.
Thank you, I really needed this read. Keep them coming! You are a blessing.
Dr. Tisby. Thank you for your mission and faith. I have taught Galatians 5 many times. It still remains one of Paul's most powerful exhortations. I might have an alternate take on the passage, however and hope you receive it as intended: to move our hearts toward the One.
Paul is really asking the people of Galatia if they are truly living in the spirit. The fact that the word is "fruit" and not "fruits" is a tell. He is saying that all 9 of them are a package deal. More importantly, he is telling us they are not necessarily aspiration, but rather indicator lights shining for others to see whether you are truly living in the spirit.
I humbly believe these nine are not causal, but rather resultant in nature. Do not misunderstand. These nine so called "fruits" are things we would want to aspire to. Why do I mention this? Like the Galatians, we must be called out for this, of all things: We are living in our sinful nature (Gal. 5:17). Just above this, Paul restates Christ's distillation of the law into to loving our neighbor as ourselves. He ends this Chapter with a piercing statement which presses me to admit whether I really belong to Christ? Have I "crucified" my sinful nature? Ouch! Oh, Oh ... Some of my indicator lights are flashing right now. I have some more work to do.
Reading Jesus words in Matthew 7 this morning, that not only does "a good tree produce good fruit", but "a good tree cannot produce bad fruit". Wow, I had to ponder that second part. The fruit does seem to be an indicator, and not an aspiration, as you say. But it is good to do an inspection, isn't it?!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Just what I needed today. I know I will continue to read this often in the weeks and months to come.
Thank you for your post on the 'The fruit of the spirit....' I am reminded of a small worship service I attended years ago at a centering prayer retreat weekend. Congregants were invited to come forward and randomly draw a message from two bowls--remember it--and return it to the bowl. One bowl contained folded slips of paper--each with a gift of the spirit written on it, the other bowl--fruits of the spirit. Thinking back, it was very powerful. I still remember what I drew. Given our current time and place, creating two sacred bowls to draw from each day may be a way to let these ancient fruits and gifts of the spirit help me stay centered. For those who lead church services, perhaps you can find a way to introduce this practice during worship.
Thank you for this. I will use this for my meditation.
I finished your book Spirit of Justice yesterday and appreciate the thread of justice that sustains those hearing God’s spirit for good. May we all heed the call for justice and carry it forward.
Dear Jamar, your insight here is so vital. And I would add that we are given the fruit of the Spirit when we obey God’s greatest commandments to love our neighbors and love God supremely.
Let me know if I can send you a free copy of my new book “Learning to Love our Neighbors as Ourselves.”
Jemar, I am so grateful for your heart of wisdom and truth, as you call us to continue becoming more like Jesus in this time of chaos. They’ll know we are Christians by our love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Thank you! 😊
Beautiful!
"Practice is not about perfection but persistence. In a world bent on chaos, practicing the fruit of the Spirit becomes an act of defiance and hope." Love this! Thank you for this powerful--and loving--reminder, Jemar.
Marvelous post! Very encouraging. Great reminder of the Source of our strength.
Dear Jemar
How do we bring Love and be Love? How do we see Joy in the little gifts of each day? Your teaching here - as our virtual Pastor- reminds us that “by their fruits you will know them.”
This is EXACTLY what I needed to read and absorb today. Thank you thank you! Bless you Dr Tisby 🙏🏽
Thank you Jemar. For fruits of the Spirit, I have love but it needs to be greater, less conditional, I have peace and patience but I sometimes get anxious.