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Casper Mcconnell
It certainly should raise some doubts. if a man loves a woman he will be changed by that love in an obvious practical demonstration. So, if the Holy Spirit quickens my dead spirit within, because I love the Father who first loved me so much, then I will become a new creature. Similarly a marriage without love will be dull suffocating. I would dare guess that you have an enhanced relationship with your son because of the pain in your life, you know the life and spirit within him even more keenly and you experience the fruits of that presence within his flesh. I would suggest a few things to ponder. I would warn you that so many church teachings that are heretical, get this so wrong, back to front, saying fruits are essential proof of salvation, that doing good works is the love that makes us christian. First, re-read the parable of the 20 virgins. All were church goers, each had the light of the word in their hands, but half of them did not have the Holy Spirit (the oil) being constantly renewed in their inner spirit. Does that mean that all believers go to be with Jesus whether alive to the Presence or spiritually asleep, unresponsive and unchanged in their works and attitudes? Yes I believe they all do. But when we meet Christ He will say to you Yes we have been through so much together, here is your crown of faithfullness when you have gotten to know me and love me, I want you close to me in the things to come, I know you so well and invite you into the wedding bed with me. To others who have never exhibited fruits of the Spirit from a love for God, Jesus will have no crown and will say "welcome to the feast of celebration, sit outside while I go into the marriage ceremony with my intimate bride.
JD Abshire
The fruit, (singular) is an inward state resulting from submission to the indwelling Holy Spirit by the believer, a right heart (mind) toward God. If active, these graces are manifest outward toward man. As previously stated, the prevalent belief systems today teach the opposite which is nothing more than an evolutionary approach to justification and righegousness. No believer can claim to have possessed all 9 of these graces all the the time but over time there should be evidence of spiritual growth. Dr. David Hocking, a dear preacher/teacher my wife and I listen to on a regular basis says quite often, one day we're carnal and totally blow it. People would say, "there is no way he is a Christian". The next day we are spiritual, "leak out" a little glory and some would say, "you know, he must be a Christian".
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