1364. The Overflow

The Overflow

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal_5:22-23).

In this final discussion, we thought it might be well to seek to discover some of the distinctive blessings which are the overflow of the Spirit-filled life.

The Word of God very plainly tells us what happens when we are filled with the Spirit.

1. There is love. The Christian's life is a life of love. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost" (Rom_5:5). This is what the poor, sad world needs. Love will bless many a desert life, and cause it to spring forth and bud.

"Do you know the world is dying

For a little bit of love?

For the love that rights a wrong,

Fills the heart with hope and song."

2. There is joy–the rivers of a happy life. The saints of old were a rejoicing people. They ate their meat "with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God" (Act_2:46-47). When Christians are gloomy, they scatter gloom; but when Christians are glad, they scatter sunshine.

"Smile a smile,

And while you smile

Another smiles;

And soon, there's miles and miles

Of smiles:

And life's worth while,

If you will smile."

This little stanza may be applied to the "smile," which is the joy of the Christian's heart. It will scatter sunshine, and light, and gladness wherever the river flows.

3. There is peace. Christ said, "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (Joh_14:27). The river of peace carries blessing whithersoever it goeth.

When the young man, Saul of Tarsus, saw the shining face and the perfect peace that Stephen possessed as he was being stoned, it pricked his heart and led, ultimately, under God's blessing, to Saul's salvation.

4. We cannot speak in detail of the other blessed "fruit of the Spirit"–the longsuffering, the gentleness, the goodness, the faith, the meekness, and the self-control. These all mark the Spirit-filled life, and these are the graces which glorify God.

Let us remember the words:

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace," etc. and

"Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR