Accused of Being a Christian
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” Galatians 5:22-23
One of the greatest blessings about asking Jesus into your heart, is that the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you as well! So, as Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living in us!
We know this by the “fruit” in our lives. The Holy Spirit enables us to exhibit love, goodness and gentleness, just to name a few. In case you didn’t know, we are not naturally full of joy or peace or patience. Matter of fact, there are some days when I question if all the “fruit has fallen off my tree!”
If I have to wait in an incredibly long line at the ropes course, I am not naturally thinking about how I should be patient! If I am awakened early by someone in my cabin, (did I mention I am NOT a morning person?) I can promise you that the first thought that comes to my mind is not naturally a kind one! But with the Holy Spirit living in me, I am to be full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!
I love this question I was once asked. “IF YOU WERE ACCUSED OF BEING A CHRISTIAN, WOULD THERE BE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO PROVE IT?”
- Would those that know you best, say you are trustworthy and honest? Or would they say you are a gossip and a liar?
- Would they say you are arrogant or humble?
- Would they say you are compassionate and caring or would they say you only care about yourself and have no concern for the less popular?
- Would they say that you encourage them to do what is right or would they say you often try to talk them into following the crowd?
- Would they say there is something different about you or would they say you are just like everyone else and afraid to stand out?
- Would they say you live consistently with what you preach or would they say you merely live like the crowd you are with?
For some of us, it isn’t a pleasant thought. We don’t like what we see. But we need to ask ourselves the tough questions!
Are we living life consistently? Do we live like a Christ follower? Do we have fruit in our life? Would we be found guilty if someone accused us of knowing Jesus? I sure hope that our answers would be a resounding yes!