Fruit of the Spirit

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Nehemiah 10-11

You have to prepare a field before you plant the crop. Yesterday we looked at how God’s Word softened hearts and brought revival. We've also seen how Nehemiah is a picture of the Holy Spirit. Now, in chapters 10-11 we see the fruit of the Spirit, the results of revival. An encounter with the Lord does not leave a person the same! Being born again begins the process of sanctification and that is the process of being transformed from our likeness into the likeness of Christ.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25

In Nehemiah chapter 10 we see four (4) specific results of revival. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8); So, we can expect the same results as the Spirit works in our lives today.

1) Brotherly love. “They clave to their brethren…” (Nehemiah 10:29)

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:7, 8

2) A renewed dedication to God’s Word. “They entered into an oath, to walk in God’s law…” (Nehemiah 10:29)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

3) Separation from the world. They determined to “not give our daughters to the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons…” (Nehemiah 10:30)

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

4) And finally, there was a determination to worship. Nehemiah 10:31-39 describes their determination to worship on the Sabbath. No longer would their focus be on making money that day, but instead they would focus on their treasure in heaven.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Matthew 6:20

So let's feast on God’s Word today and let Him transform our life as the Spirit works in us Christ-likeness.