Parables

Last week we were talking about not setting the law above the fruit of the Spirit and how that will only limit what God wants to do in and through us.

Galatians 5:22-23 MSG, “But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way…”

That last sentence lets us know that legalism (or the law) will only get in the way. Today I wanted to remind you that the fruit of the Spirit comes from God. It is released by the Holy Spirit living within us, but it is up to us to release it outwardly. The more we release it the more we get.

In Matthew 25 verses 14-30 there is a parable which was told by Jesus. I know it as the parable of the talents but that’s old school King James/ New King James version. In the New Living Translation it is called, “The parable of the three servants.” Some of you may already be familiar with this story, if not, add it to your daily devotions this week and have a read. In fact, read the whole chapter, it is a good one!

I’ll summarise the parable for you. There were three servants and a master. The master was going away for a while so to one servant he gave 5 bags of silver, the other 2 bags and the last one 1 bag according to their abilities. When the master came back the servant with the 5 bags had invested them and obtained 5 more, the one with 2 had done the same and obtained 2 more but the one with 1 had buried his bag of silver and it had remained the same. The master was pleased with the first 2 servants and upset at the last one. He took the 1 bag of silver from the last servant and gave it to the first who had 10.

Verse 29 then says, “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” This principle applies in every area of life. When Jesus shared this parable, He was giving an illustration of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is how things work in God’s Kingdom.

Back to the fruit of the Spirit, it is entirely up to us whether or not we release the fruit in our lives. When we choose to live life God’s way and allow Him to work in us renewing our minds, then the fruit can be released through us. We have to choose to be kind. We have to choose to love, to be joyful, faithful, gentle, peaceful, patient and good. It all comes down to choice.

Our lives are made up of small decisions. It starts by being kind to that one person wo gets on your nerves and then you will find that as you choose to release the fruit that you have on the measure that you have, God will release more to you. That’s how the fruit grow and multiply. By use. What you don’t use you will lose and what you use will multiply. If you want to see more of something in your life, start by using the little that you have and God will begin to add more.

I hope you have enjoyed this series as thoroughly as I have and that God has been stirring things in your heart and rearranging things and putting everything into place.

Have a blessed week!

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano.