As we begin our study of the individual characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, we need to remember that this is exactly what they are—individual characteristics of the “fruit of the Spirit,” singular, not fruits, plural. If we have one fruit, we should have them all. If we lose one fruit, we will lose them all. They are inseparable.

Last week we reviewed and looked a little more deeply at how we recognize and enter the kingdom of God. We also looked at how righteousness and justice are the foundation of the Lord’s throne (see Psalm 89:14). Therefore, we can expect to find these at the base of everything that God is doing in preparation for the coming of His kingdom. The wise will learn to recognize His righteousness and His justice, and only give themselves to building on the same.

This week our study is from Ephesians 6:7-8:

This week we will study the simple, but essential truth that is revealed in Ephesians 4:4-6:

The church has been in a period of renewal. Multitudes have been healed and restored. Vision and faith have been rising steadily over the last few years. This has been a wonderful time, but it is merely a preparation for what is coming. We are now about to cross the bridge from renewal to revival.

I am defining renewal as that which works to heal and awaken the church, and revival as that which results in the salvation of the lost and the empowering of believers to challenge the spiritual darkness of the times.

Last week I tried to make the case for why we need to seek the Holy Spirit first, especially when we seek to present our message. It is better not to have anything else but the Holy Spirit than to have everything else without Him. Even so, we do not have to make that choice. The greatest advances of the gospel have come when the state-of-the-art technological advances of the times were used for it.

We have been blessed by a core leadership team and staff that has been together many years. As a result, we have been through many battles together. I don’t think anyone enjoys conflict, but they nevertheless thrive on it. They come alive with focus and resolve when there are attacks. Even so, we have some that I have watched recoil with every new attack. Their first tendency is to draw back and retreat, but when they fortify themselves in the Lord, they tend to be the ones who stand with great endurance.

    I sometimes receive appeals from well-known, politically liberal Christians who want me and other conservatives to refrain from our criticism of President Obama, with one even calling this criticism “unchristian.” I responded by calling this request hypocritical. Admittedly, some criticism by conservatives has crossed a line or been too extreme, and I believe distorted.