Chapter 6

by Praise Malinga

As Christians, we are branches of the Vine, Jesus Christ, and our lives should reflect the fruit of the Spirit. As it is written, I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5, KJV).

Many Christians are surprised why they can witness easily to outsiders, but struggle to share the gospel with their own household members. The reason is that outsiders hear our salvation through the words we speak, but household members see our salvation through the fruit of the Spirit that we display.

Outsiders are not affected by our bad character or conduct, but household members are directly impacted. If we speak the word to our household members, but fail to practice the fruit of the Spirit, we become hypocrites. As it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV).

We must honor the Word by honoring our parents or husbands, as it is the right thing to do, unless they want us to oppose the scriptures. As it is written, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right (Ephesians 6:1, KJV) and Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22, KJV).

To live a life that honors God, we must crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts, and walk in the Spirit. As it is written, And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24, KJV) and If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25, KJV).

Other scriptures that teach us about the importance of living a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit include:

• Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16, KJV)
• Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48, KJV)
• That ye may be blaming, and sons of your Father who is in the heavens, because He deth cause His sun to rise on evil and good, and doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous (Matthew 5:45, YLT)

Let us abide in Christ, and display the fruit of the Spirit, that our household members may see our salvation and glorify God.

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