Vanity of the Flesh
Aw, weight loss, something I have been practicing and not perfecting for over 30 years. I know why it is easier to gain than to lose. I know the body mechanics regarding calories in and calories out. I know that if I exercise and burn more calories than I take in I will lose weight. So why don't I keep off the pounds I work so hard to lose? Hmmm...because I lack self-discipline and long-suffering?
The fruit of the Holy Spirit cannot be planted and harvested without continual maintenance. Like with any plant in a garden, a new fruit tree can be a perfect specimen when planted, but without constant watering, fertilizing, and pruning it will soon die and produce no fruit. Such is my life as a Christian, I can be saved by believing in faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross bearing all my sins, ask Him to forgive for my sins and even be baptized as a outward symbol of my inward change as child of God. But as a Christian, without trusting and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit (which I received when I was "saved by Christ" from eternity in hell) I will produce no fruit. I will still do my own thing rather than be directed by the Holy Spirit to complete the plans God has in mind for my life. Those plans are what I was born to do and uniquely made to accomplish. They are better than anything I could come up with and any passion of this earth that I could be involved in. The plans of God are for a bigger, eternal purpose and one day, if I abide in Him, He will reward my efforts to persevere through this life and the mission He has created individually for me, in Heaven.
We think that the pleasures of this world will satisfy us, but everything produced through selfish ambition or by immoral means will ultimately burn. But those things done to glorify God and draw others to God will bring life, freedom, and satisfaction now and into eternity. The weight loss issues will be over and vanity of the flesh will have no lasting reward, but the life lived for God will sweet, satisfying and filled with fruit.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit cannot be planted and harvested without continual maintenance. Like with any plant in a garden, a new fruit tree can be a perfect specimen when planted, but without constant watering, fertilizing, and pruning it will soon die and produce no fruit. Such is my life as a Christian, I can be saved by believing in faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on the cross bearing all my sins, ask Him to forgive for my sins and even be baptized as a outward symbol of my inward change as child of God. But as a Christian, without trusting and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit (which I received when I was "saved by Christ" from eternity in hell) I will produce no fruit. I will still do my own thing rather than be directed by the Holy Spirit to complete the plans God has in mind for my life. Those plans are what I was born to do and uniquely made to accomplish. They are better than anything I could come up with and any passion of this earth that I could be involved in. The plans of God are for a bigger, eternal purpose and one day, if I abide in Him, He will reward my efforts to persevere through this life and the mission He has created individually for me, in Heaven.
We think that the pleasures of this world will satisfy us, but everything produced through selfish ambition or by immoral means will ultimately burn. But those things done to glorify God and draw others to God will bring life, freedom, and satisfaction now and into eternity. The weight loss issues will be over and vanity of the flesh will have no lasting reward, but the life lived for God will sweet, satisfying and filled with fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
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