O IN TME N T F O R T HE SO UL
•••
REV. WILLIE BOTHA
WE LIVE THROUGH THE SPIRIT
READ: Galatians 5:22-26
THERE IS JUST
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
ABOUT A PERSON
WHOSE LIFE IS
CONTROLLED BY THE
SPIRIT. THE HOLY SPIRIT
DOES NOT ONLY HELP
US TO BELIEVE, BUT
IT ALSO CHANGES US
SUBSTANTIALLY. LIFE IN
CHRIST CAN NEVER EVEN
BE COMPARED WITH
THE LIFE OF PERSON
WITHOUT CHRIST, THE
PERSON WHO GIVES IN
TO THE PRACTICES OF
THE SINFUL PERSON.
of important people and journalists were there to meet him. He
suddenly excused himself to assist
an elderly lady with two heavy
suitcases from the train to the bus,
which was about to depart. He
humbly remarked that he had
been worried that the bus would
leave without her. For a missionary doctor who was used to
helping the poor people of Africa,
it was no trouble. On that day
a hardened journalist remarked:
“This is the first time that I have
ever seen a sermon on two legs...”
A tree is known by its fruit - a
Christian is known by the fruit
of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace,
patience, friendliness, generosity, faithfulness, humility and
self-control do not just happen.
Our natural inclination is to shy
away from these characteristics. It
is a compassion and a sensitivity, a
spiritual attractiveness which God
puts in our hearts.
Galations 5:25 summarises it:
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us
keep in step with the Spirit.”
A
s Christians our responsibility is visible in our conduct,
our attitude, communication and
in everything we do.
A beautiful story is told about
the famous Dr Albert Schweitzer.
As world famous physician, musician and theologist it would have
been quite easy for him to feel
more important than other people. In 1952, shortly after having
received the Nobel Peace Prize, he
visited Chicago. When this huge
man of over two metres disembarked at the station, a number
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