MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 30, 2024
The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 34
LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 7)
Before proceeding further on the specific “love” that is a “fruit of the Spirit,” that is, of, and emanating from Him who the Bible describes as “GOD IS LOVE” (1 John 4: 8, 16) we answer to valid inquiry of some as to what this ‘fruit’ definitively means.
Hereunder is a succinct yet comprehensive definition (bolding mine):
“Fruit. [Hebrew, generally ‘peri,’ ‘fruit’; ‘taburah’; ‘product (of soil or toil); Greek generally ‘Karpov’.’] Basically the product of trees and vines, but frequently, in figures of speech, the END RESULT of any work or activity. Thus, the PRODUCE of the land is designated ‘fruit’ (Gen. 4:3; Lev. 25:19, etc.), as is the OFFSPRING of man and beast (Gen. 30:2; Deut. 28:4; Micah 6:7; etc.). SPEECH is poetically designated ‘the fruit of his mouth’ (Prov. 18:20); WORK, ‘the fruit of her hands’ (ch 31:16); and the REWARDS of evil deeds, as the ‘fruits of one’s deeds’ (Isa. 31:10, RSV); etc.
“In the New Testament, IN ADDITION to its usual meaning, ‘fruit’ is frequently used as a figure of speech for the OUTWARD ACTIONS OF ONE’S LIFE, particularly those indicating WHETHER THE HEART IS RIGHTEOUS OR EVIL (Matt. 3:8; 7:16, 17; Luke 6: 43, 44; Phil. 1:11). Similarly, in Gal. 5: 22, 23, the CHRISTIAN GRACES are called ‘The FRUIT of the Spirit.’” -SDA Bible Dictionary Complete with Atlas, Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 8, Review & Herald Publishing Asso., 1960. Simply put, this is the PERFECT LOVE OF THE PERFECT CREATOR AND PERFECTED REDEEMER, whose PERFECT LOVE-GIFT to totally-undeserving, fallen, sinful, carnally-minded, stubborn-hearted mortals, is His transforming love that, when received willingly, enables and empowers the sinner to OBEY, OUT OF LOVE, HIS LAW OF LOVE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Thus Jesus declares to all penitent sinners: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15. It is the love of the Father IN Christ imparted through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Successor and Vicegerent, verily our “other Comforter.”
Notice:
“The Holy Spirit comes to us as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the IMAGE of God is REPRODUCED in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. LOVE takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the DIVINE SIMILITUDE [likeness].” E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 391.
To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.