Series: FruitWorks~Rest

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 in order 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. Rest falls under the category of peace.

Rest

What is it? What does it look like? The modern definition for this word is most often linked to having a night’s sleep after a day’s work, or stopping for a break during working hours. But, what does this word really mean? How do we apply it? And, is there a Scriptural model?

The dictionary describes rest in the following way:

As a noun:

1. the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep
2. refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor
3. relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs
4. a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquillity
5. mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity
6. the repose of death
7. cessation or absence of motion

As a verb:

1. to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing
2. to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor
3. to be at ease; have tranquillity or peace
4. to be quiet or still
5. to cease from motion, come to rest; stop
6. to base, or let depend, as on some ground of reliance

On the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because he rested in it from all his work which he had created and made. Genesis 2:2-3

Yahweh came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders: and it happened that when the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the Spirit rested on them; and they were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, 'Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!' Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, 'My lord Moses, forbid them!' Moses said to him, 'Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Yahweh's people were prophets, that Yahweh would put his Spirit on them!' Numbers 11:25-29

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war. Joshua 11:23

There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11

These verses having to do with rest are self-explanatory in that, if the Holy Spirit rests on us, and we are obedient to our calling, then we are assured of rest in our spirit, rest from our journey during, and at the end of this life, which means we are assured of rest in eternity.

Series: FruitWorks~Fulfillment

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 in order 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. Fulfillment falls under the category of peace.

Fulfillment

What is it? What does it look like? But, what does this word really mean? How do we apply it? And, is there a Scriptural model?

The dictionary describes fulfillment in the following way:

1. the act or state of fulfilling
2. the state or quality of being fulfilled; completion; realization

Fulfill is defined as:

1. to carry out, or bring to realization, as a prophecy or promise
2. to perform or do, as duty; obey or follow, as commands
3. to satisfy (requirements, obligations, etc.)
4. to bring to an end; finish or complete, as a period of time
5. to develop the full potential of

For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: 'He was counted with transgressors.' For that which concerns me has an end. Luke 22:37

Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord! Luke 1:45

For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4

Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

All of these verses have to do with something coming to an end, whether it be an actual end, or the foretelling of an actual end. As such, that is the reason that fulfillment falls under the category of peace.

When all things that we have set out to do have been accomplished; when we have come to the edge of everything, and cannot go any further; when our Godly assignment has been achieved, then we have fulfillment.

When our purpose has been shown, mapped out, walked, delivered, and done, then we have peace.

Series: FruitWorks~Friendship

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. Friendship falls under the category of love.

Friendship

What is it? What does it look like? The modern definition for this word is most often linked to getting a “thumbs-up on facebook. But, what does this word really mean? How do we apply it? And, is there a Scriptural model?

The dictionary describes friendship in the following way:  

1. the state of being a friend

A friend is defined as

1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter
3. a person who is on good terms with another

We are given several examples of friendship in Scripture, and it looks completely different than our worldly, social-media driven view of it.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:13

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. -John 15:15

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. -Proverbs 17:17

A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. -Proverbs 18:24

The message given in these verses makes it clear that friends can be more reliable than family, and that Yeshua shows the true meaning of friendship in his relationship with us.

A friend is more than a social media profile; it is the genuine care and concern for another human being. It is a knowledge that, without that person, our lives would have a void in it, which makes that person valuable to us in ways that cannot be measured with money or possessions.

Series: FruitWorks~Hospitality

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 coldhearted towards others.

Yeshua answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, 'Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.' Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10:30-37

The story of the “Good Samaritan” is probably the best example of hospitality in Scripture. The interesting thing about the Scriptural definition of a neighbor is that it is not limited to who lives next door. It does not mean who is geographically close to you. It is those who you let know that you care for their well-being, no matter their situation or circumstance.

Series: In the Garden/Fruits in Scripture~The Apple

The apple is the fruit most attributed to being the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. However, Jewish tradition, as well as understanding the uses of the fruits spoken of in Scripture, and the root meanings of their names in Hebrew, says it was the pomegranate. (See the July issue for more on the pomegranate.)

By understanding the Hebrew etymology of the word apple, we see it represents mankind after the fall and, more importantly, the people that God chose to make His own.

For Yahweh's portion is his people. Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, in the waste howling wilderness. He surrounded him. He cared for him. He kept him as the apple of his eye. Deuteronomy 32:9-10

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me. Psalm 17:8-9

For thus says Yahweh of Armies: 'For honor he has sent me to the nations which plundered you; for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye. Zechariah 2:8

Joel 1:12 uses the metaphor of the five fruits -the grape (vine), the fig, the date (palm), the pomegranate, and the apple- to say that the joy of the people has dried and withered like the trees that produced these fruits.

ishon: the pupil (of the eye)

Original Word: אּישׁוֹן

Part of Speech: Noun Masculine

Phonetic Spelling: (ee-shone')

from the root word ish: man

Original Word: אּישׁ

Part of Speech: Noun Masculine

Phonetic Spelling: (eesh)

from the root word enosh: mankind

Original Word: אֱנוֹשׁ

Part of Speech: Noun Masculine

Phonetic Spelling: (en-oshe')

from the root word anash: to be weak, sick; to be mortal

Original Word: אָנַשׁ

Part of Speech: Verb

Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nash')

from a primitive root word: to be frail, feeble, melancholy; to be desperately wicked, incurable, woeful