My heart is overjoyed; Spring is finally here! After long, cold winter months, “spring has sprung”. How delightful! Spring is one of my two favourite seasons. Summer is the other half. There is something so unique and elegant about Spring. Slowly but surely, migratory birds will return to where food and living conditions are optimal. The delicate aroma of flowers blooming will soon fill the air, and the frozen lakes will quickly become a distant memory. Nature, gracefully waking up from her deep, extended sleep.
This inspired me to deepen my understanding of the Christian character and how, in our spiritual walk with Christ, we must grow and develop our character to become better versions of ourselves, thus embodying Christ’s perfect character. In this new series, we’ll go through the fruits of the Spirit listed in the fifth chapter of Galatians and see how we can apply them to our spiritual and personal lives as women. These nine fruits are valuable gems we must seek and treasure. They are noble and gracious character traits, which, once amassed, will build up our feminine crown and shield, as women.
The apostle Paul lists the nine fruits of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Let’s look at them individually and let God do the work in our hearts.
Love
The first fruit of the Spirit noted in the book of Galatians is Love—the most precious gift that can be given. “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The Creator’s love for mankind knows absolutely no limit.
Sadly, sin, which is the transgression of God’s perfect law for us, has brought sorrow and darkness upon this earth. However, this has not hindered God’s precious love towards us. More so, he allowed His only Son Jesus Christ, who has never sinned, to come to this earth to live a life of humiliation and incomprehension, to save you and me. The curse of death, Jesus took it all upon himself, and consented to live separated from God and the Holy Angels, out of His infinite love for humanity. Pure love, without waiting for anything in return. If He had to go through all of this to save a single soul, He would have done it in a heartbeat. This is the most beautiful act of genuine love humans can experience.
No questions asked.
God suffered with His Son. In the agony of Gethsemane, the death of Calvary, the heart of Infinite Love paid the price of our redemption.
– Steps to Christ – Chapter 1 – {SC 13.2} – Ellen G. White
Love and Femininity
God has a unique work for women in His broad field of evangelism. He graced women with softness that can reach thousands. As women, we can positively and lovingly influence our environment. The impact that we have on others is different than men’s. That is particularly true when you look at a newborn baby yearning for his mother’s tender love and affection, straight out of the womb. There is something special about the love we as women can demonstrate to those around us. And we must use those beautiful and unique gifts for the Glory of God.
God summarized the ten commandments into two great commandments: to love Him with all our hearts and to love our neighbours just as we love ourselves. To love God is to love our neighbours.
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Matthew 22: 37-39 – King James Version
These two commandments are for our utmost good and to protect our hearts. By demonstrating love to our neighbour through service, we slowly separate ourselves from selfishness and pride. Love is putting others’ needs before ours and leaving our personal convenience behind to focus on doing the Lord’s work. Moreover, it is sharing God’s word with all within our reach and pointing them to the bright and morning Star. Our feminine influence will inevitably leave a memorable impact on hearts and bring them a step closer to Christ. God, who is in the heavens, watches every action and will bless our sincere efforts.
The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth.”
— Evangelism, p. 471.5 – Ellen G. White