TM
a closer look at the fruits of the Spirit
In Galatians 5:22-23, we are given a list of the fruits of the Spirit. They are the guidelines to which we conduct
ourselves in our daily walk. These are nine different aspects of Godliness that we must adhere to, to live to our
fullest spiritual potential. They vary slightly, depending on the translation, but the foundational fruits of the Spirit
are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. While at first glance,
these all look the same, a closer look reveals small differences in their meanings, which translates to differences
in their application and implementation. This article is meant to shed light on each of these nine characteristics
of holiness, to explore their nuances and minute differences. Hospitality falls under the category of kindness.
Hospitality
What is it? What does it look like? The modern definition for this word is most often linked to the
services of hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and the like. But, what does this word really mean? How
do we apply it? And, is there a Scriptural model?
The dictionary describes hospitality in the following way:
1. the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.
2. the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers
in a warm, friendly, generous way.
The keywords are friendly, reception, and strangers.
To operate in the action of showing friendliness,
we must not be harsh, hateful, manipulating,
spiteful, or a host of other words that could
be described as the opposite of friendly.
To be receptive, we must be able to
receive something. For a person who
is used to giving, receiving might be a
little hard for them.
And, finally, the crux of the whole verse.
Strangers. We are supposed to treat strangers
as if they were our friends, before they actually
become our friends. This is the foundation of
loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.
If we are to operate in the gift of hospitality, we must have these three
ingredients for it to work. Otherwise, we are show ourselves to be insincere,
conceited, and cold-hearted towards others.
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dictionary credit