A Cluster From The Vine

by Perigo, F. A. | Category: General | Aug 1954

It is indeed desirable in these closing days of the history of the churches of God on earth that increased diligence be given to walking worthily of the Lord, since He has so graciously sent forth His light and truth and led us to the house of God.

To walk carelessly is to invite God's displeasure, and discipline of a very humbling nature may follow. For instance, the Corinthian saints were allowing many things which were contrary to the high and holy calling of those in a church of God, and so we are told, "For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep" (1 Corinthians 11.30). God could not allow certain of them to remain here to dishonour the Lord.

Then the Galatians, having found freedom, were again in danger in that they were listening to and obeying Judaizing teachers, thus causing perplexity to Paul. His exhortation to them is, "Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5.16). How simple! But so necessary. God has not given us His Spirit that we should grieve Him, but that we should recognize His authority as indwelling us.

The fruit of the Spirit is seen in Galatians 5.22, 23. This cluster from the vine may be viewed in a threefold manner: the first three, love, joy, peace, being an inward condition; the second three, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, will be seen outward; whilst the third three, faithfulness (fidelity), meekness, temperance (self-control) may be spoken of as selfward.

As to Love, perhaps the highest point is reached while in the Remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ we draw near to God. Then it is our delight and privilege as a holy priesthood to worship God, and praise Him for His beloved Son, whose name is as ointment poured forth.

Joy: As we thus approach God His joy floods our souls, and there is fulfilment of the words, "That My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be fulfilled" (John 15.11). Heaven is begun already for us as in spirit we enter where Christ is, and our souls are filled with what He is.

Peace: the first service of our Lord Jesus in resurrection was to confer this quality upon His loved and His own. He said, "Peace be unto you," and showed them His hands and His side. These

wounds would speak of the basis of their peace. Then again He said, "Peace be unto you," as He told of His Father's having sent Him, and His sending them (John 20.19-22).

The second set of three: Longsuffering, in our associations with our brethren, also with the world, this quality is so necessary. The inward love will help us to express to others that enduring of all things that Paul tells of in 1 Corinthians 13.

Kindness: God in His own kindness has forgiven us our trespasses, and has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. He also showers bountifully upon us His mercies each day. Surely these considerations should cause us gratefully to think of others and show them kindness.

Goodness: As the fruit of the Spirit this has been exemplified in the Lord Jesus in His incarnation and subsequent life on the earth. Of Him Peter rightly testifies, "Who went about doing good," and surely His goodness to a neighbour is set forth in His story of the Good Samaritan! Under the Spirit's power we will not limit our goodness to those who do good to us, but after the example of the Lord Jesus and in agreement with His word we shall "do good to them that hate us" (Luke 6.27, 33).

The third set starts with Fidelity: how the Lord inculcated this in His blessed ministry !-" because thou wast found faithful in a very little" (Luke 19.17). Faithfulness marked His own selfdenying service of love to God. It becomes us to be faithful like as was Joseph, both in the prison and during the time of his administration of the affairs of Egypt.

Meekness: Moses, the meekest man in all the earth, may break down under the strain of leading a rebellious people of God, and as a result he lost the honour of leading Israel into the land of promise. The Lord Jesus, however, was meek and lowly in heart, and is therefore ever trustworthy; and He calls upon us to take His yoke upon us, and learn of Him (Matthew 11.29).

Self-control: this tests our real spiritual stature. Many of God's beloved saints have fallen through failure to control themselves, thus reaping spiritual disaster, and darkening the testimony. May God ever keep us humble and help us seek His glory increasingly

"0 Patient, Spotless One,

Our hearts in meekness train,

To bear Thy yoke and learn of Thee,

That we may rest obtain.

Oh fix our earnest gaze,

So wholly, Lord, on Thee,

That with Thy beauty occupied,

We elsewhere none may see Amen."

Perigo, F. A. | Aug 1954
General