Starting The Fruit Harvest

I opened up Philippians, being that I’ve decided to start studying it in-depth, in my own unorthodox way. In the margin, I noticed a note from a previous study–a circle around the word “peace” in verse 2, and the word “fruit.”

Ah, Galatians fruit. This is jargon for one of the Apostle Paul’s inimitable analogies. He’s writing to a church about the pointlessness of using religious rules–even ones created by God–to earn God’s favour and friendship.

Awhile back, author Marc Schooley wrote a post on the nature of good and the existence of God. He said simply, “God is the good.”

Paul says this:

The fruit of the [Holy] Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I am not going to attempt to explain. I’ll just share how my notes on the Book of Philippians look.

[1] Paul and Timothy, bonservants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Overseers and deacons–that’s my husband, a diakonos of the believers, even without a local fellowship group. God hasn’t forgotten him.

[2] Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Grace is the gift of eternal life, resurrection life here and now. It’s the power of Christ’s cross to wash away sin. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit to convict, cleanse and teach. “Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve.”

Grace is manifested in a solid home, cheap land, freedom from interference. Grace is shown in verses that come to mind in the dark, during pain and aloneness. Grace is in friendships full of love, that last in spite of our failings on both sides.

Grace is being given an open path of prayer to the throne of God. Being given things that are good and pure and true and lovely for my mind to dwell on, things that are a direct outflow of the person and character of Christ.

Grace is being given access to that character. For He Himself is our peace. (Eph. 2:14)

[vv. 3-5] I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

“Happiness depends on happenings. Joy depends on Jesus.” ~Margie Dunlop, pastor’s wife and my former mentor

[v. 6] For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Joy is found in prayer, in pouring out a broken, double-minded heart to a perfect Saviour. Joy is found in fleeing sin, resisting the devil, growing closer to Christ until the work of His cross overflows from my life into the world around me.

That’s participation in the gospel.

Joy is found in knowing that it’s not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit. Joy is knowing you can’t win, going out to battle anyway because you love the One you follow, and finding His army encamped on the hills.

I am a battleground. This battle is the Lord’s.