|
|
872. LOVING CHILDREN BECOME LOVING PARENTS? PARENTS, one may conclude, generally seek to benefit their children in whatever ways they can, and hope to see these benefits shared among others through the spirit "fruitage" of their children as they grow to maturity. And later still, to see these benefits shared among the families of their grandchildren.
Wouldn't you agree
that the experiences in life we find most enjoyable are those that embrace such
qualities as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness,
mildness? And, that as we combine experience with wisdom, we learn how to
nurture and cultivate these delightful qualities while avoiding the causes of
discord, hatred and hypocrisy? To be long-suffering or 'long-tempered' means slowness to exercise passion, indignation or wrath. Expressions of patience, forbearance, and long-suffering have the sense of calmly enduring suffering, delay, or vexation without complaint and to remain unprovoked. It means more than merely suffering pain or trouble. Long-suffering requires deliberate restraint. "He that is slow to anger is better than a mighty man, and he that is controlling his spirit than the one capturing a city." (Prov 16:32). You see, "long suffering" is a quality that allows for a longer period of development in the other "fruitages". Don't you agree? Self-control conveys the thought of keeping oneself in check, restraining or controlling one's person, in actions or speech. Can you think of something superfluous in your disposition that should be disposed of and replaced with a "fruitage of the spirit", for your benefit, and that of your children? Faith is "the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evidence of realities though not beheld". (Heb 11:1). It is confidence and trust in God based upon evidence of physical and spiritual realities. The entire body of truths delivered through Jesus Christ and his inspired apostles is what constitutes the true Christian faith. (John 18:37. John 6:63. Acts 6:7. 1 Tim 5:8). These truths are contained in the complete Word of God for righteousness. Obligations that existed under the Mosaic Law are not the prerequisite of spiritual requirements under the new covenant. (Rom 3:20. James 2:21-26). Faith is based on evidence. Everywhere, the visible works of creation testify to the existence of an invisible Creator (Rom 1:20), as do the fulfilment of prophecies of God on earth. While faith is not a possession of all people, it is a fruitage of God's Spirit. (2 Thess 3:2. Gal 5:22). It is not static, but grows with one's knowledge of God's eternal purpose. Resolve in your hearts to acquire the "fruitages" of the spirit, remembering that the greatest of these is love. Love is expansive. It is not stingy or confined, and must be shared to be complete. (2 Cor 6:11-13). Above all, one must love God. (Deut 6:5). |
|
|
Earthly
father's requirements "Listen O sons, to the discipline of a father and pay attention, so as to know understanding. For good instruction is what I certainly shall give to you. My law do not leave... Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding… Do not leave it, and it will keep you. Love it, and it will safeguard you. Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom; and with all that you acquire, acquire understanding. (From Prov 4:1-9 NWT). "Moreover, that by law no one is declared righteous with God is evident, because "the righteous one will live by reason of faith."" (Galatians 3:11 NWT). |
Condemnatory laws and punishments of the Mosaic Law now obsolete: "Furthermore, though you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcised state of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him. He kindly forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us; and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake. Stripping the governments and the authorities bare, he exhibited them in open public as conquered, leading them in a triumphal procession by means of it." (Colossians 2:13-15). 9/12/80. |