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Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 7: Friday, January 8, 2010

 

Overview

“Do you pray for your enemies? It is difficult to have the right attitude toward those who hate us, mistreat us, or persecute us. But praying for our enemies has a way of changing our hearts and attitudes toward them.”

 

Observations

After relating a fascinating story regarding the nature of light, the author resorts to behavior modification as the final example of application. Sad.

The scientific experiment proved exactly the right thing in the context of love. The reflective surfaces or traits of an atmosphere are doing only what they were created to do. They reflect because they are made to reflect. A mirror does not become a mirror by praying for the darkness around it. It is a mirror because it reflects light.

Praying does not change my attitude towards my enemies. It exposes my attitude towards my enemies. Then the Holy Spirit asks some really tough questions: “Richard, do you think I shouldn’t love that person? Do you think I don’t love him? Did I not die for her? Is forgiveness not available to him? Is eternal life beyond her?”

My only response can be, “No, Lord. I’ve got it wrong. Thank You for pointing it out and for forgiving my attitude back 2000 years ago on the cross. Help me to learn. I’m not entirely certain I want to learn, but You loved me (and You know what I was like), so please be patient.”

This is relationship as God wills it—Christ in me my hope of glory.

 

Summary

  1. We have been called to do the impossible—love with God’s perfect agape love.
  2. Because children of God have the Holy Spirit indwelling them, they have access to the illimitable resources of God.
  3. The impossible becomes possible in Him.

 

 

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