Fruit

Have you ever stopped to think ...that one bite of a piece of fruit condemned all of creation?
Romans 8:1 speaks to the renewal of creation for creation itself feels the pressure of the present evil age, the flesh (us humans).
Have you ever stopped to think...the scope of redemption is bigger than what you and I have ever thought or imagined?
Rev 21 & 22 - this earth we walk will be made right (rectified). The Jerusalem above has invaded the present, Mount Zion has come to earth.
In the same way as believers in Christ Jesus, although we may physically live in the present we are commanded to "live by the Spirit" (Gal 5:16) with the understanding that Christ is alive and the future has invaded the present. To "walk, keep in step, become slaves, love your neighbor as yourself, live sacrificially..." takes intentional work on our part, it is deliberate, and this is what it means to walk in accord with the gospel. When we deliberately walk with the Spirit God produces fruit - the fruit is a community of faith that looks like God's kingdom - full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 5:22,23). Have you ever tried to be 'more' patient? Have you felt the unnecessary guilt that you lack joy or peace. Maybe you beat yourself up because you don't have enough faith. Let the gospel liberate you...it is NOT your fruit to produce, it is the product of the Spirit's work. And it is the Spirit working in a community to produce all the fruit that will proclaim the gospel in a world that feels and experiences the pressure of the present age. The hope? " For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm. " (Gal 5:1)
Deana