Iwas listening to an audio book the other day when the writer asked a questionthat made me stop and take inventory. Heasked, “Why is a lamb so gentle or a wolf so aggressive? Does it have to makean effort to be? No, it is itsnature.” Are the fruits of the Spiritbeing formed in us or do we try to display them in our strength? Paul taught this same principle inEphesians.
Ephesians 4: 21Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus,22 throw off your old evilnature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, fullof lust and deception. 23 Instead, there must be a spiritualrenewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24 You mustdisplay a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness --righteous, holy, and true.
We must allowthe Holy Spirit to change our nature by yielding each day to the Word of Godand asking Him to form this new nature in us. We have to choose before each day begins to walk in the renewed naturethat has been given to us. Colossiansteaches us to clothe ourselves in it. Wecannot wait until the moment of confrontation to choose which response isproper but as we learn more from the Lord each morning receive a right naturefor the day.
Colossians 3:8-12But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, anddirty language. 9Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and allits wicked deeds. 10 In its place you have clothedyourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as youlearn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. 11In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised oruncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave,or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clotheyourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, andpatience.
Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon youand learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find restfor your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burdenis light."
Jesus was notmotivated by his human nature but would consistently take time away with theFather to renew His spiritual nature. And so he was able to be moved with compassion. Jesus did not have to try to love the world;He loved each person because he carried the nature of God. And we know that God is love.
Romans 5:1-5Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through ourLord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And notonly that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation producesperseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out inour hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Each day Ipray that we cloth ourselves with His nature and ask the Holy Spirit to pourthe love of God into our hearts.
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