October
23, 2003
RIGHTEOUSNESS,
PEACE AND JOY
"For
the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17,
NKJV).
The essence
of God's kingdom of grace here and now lies not in things
external, but in the inward graces of the Spirit led life.
Eating and drinking are insignificant and trifling when compared
with eternal values of which the kingdom of God actually consists.
Jesus put it this way, "It is written,
'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God' " (Matthew 4:4).
The values
of doing what is right such as living in harmony with the
laws of nature and of God bring on the fruits of the Spirit
such as "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there
is no law." (Galatians 5:22, 23).
Living
a life not in conflict with the values of our Creator is what
the Holy Spirit helps us to do. "If you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the law" because "Against
such [the fruits of the Spirit] there is no law"
(Galatians 5:18, 23).
"I
say then, walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the
lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to
one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish...
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not
use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love
serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
" (Galatians 5:16, 17, 13, 14).
"For
the kingdom of God is -- righteousness and peace and joy in
the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).
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