Q3. Sanctification

[wifee]

a)God has created in each of us unique gifts and qualities making up our character. The Holy Spirit works in us refining us, &transforming our thoughts & actions to conform with the will of God.

b)Sanctification c)If person allows desires of flesh to lead them, instead of the Spirit,need to repent

.d) Being saved by faith is assured when receive Christ as saviour,being sanctified is process of formation,allowing Spirit to rule more of us gradually

.e)Faith without works is dead, warns us to show our faith by what we do,but not with flesh motives.Do we yield more to the Spirit on a daily basis.If were not growing,we’re declining.

[RD35]

The fruit of the Spirit appears as a result of living a Godly life.  When we live a life pleasing to God and in obedience to His word, and when we are always connected to Jesus our vine we begin to produce the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  The spirit melts us, moulds us and matures us and gradually we will begin to show the fruit of the sprit in our lives. 

The theological term could be sanctification.  It is a process of becoming Holy and set apart for God. 

A person who does not display the fruits of the spirit even though he has been a Christian for many years may not have fully given his life to Jesus.     

 

 

[Thanking Joan]

The Holy spirit produces this fruit in us by allowing us to grow and lead us step by step. He guides us and counsels us through various trials of life and gives us the grace to overcome and bear fruit. Through the `holy spirit we are given the grace to abide and remain in Jesus and we are able to produce fruit. 

The theological term for this process is sanctification or even refining.

A person who is a Christian for years will not bear fruit if he is in name only and has not given his heart to the `lord. There is absolutely no yielding to the Holy spirit and therefore no fruit.

James says that faith must accompany deeds. `it also means that if i profess Faith in Christ `i must also reflect the nature of Christ by showing Christ like action which is evident by the fruit we bear in our lives. Faith is Christ is bearing fruit of the Spirit and putting it into action

Yes.. harsh to the one who only proclaims to have faith but no action or no evidence of any fruit of the spirit.

[Craig]

Q3. (Galatians 5:22-23) How does the Holy Spirit produce this fruit in our lives? What theological term would you use to identify this process? How can it be that a person who has been a “Christian” for years displays few or none of these fruits? Are they saved, but just immature? What does James 2:17-19 say about this? Is that too harsh?          

a

 

The Holy Spirit produces this fruit in our lives when we let Him.  When we respond to the Word of God.  When we respond to the movement or influence of the Holy Spirit in our life.

 

The term sanctification is that theological term that describes the process where God sets aside the believer for His purposes and the Holy Spirit is remaking that believer into a Christ-like human-being.  The fruits of the Spirit are a manifestation of that process.

 

A  person who has been a professing Christian for years and displays few or none of these fruits have not either been saved or have not responded to the Holy Spirit.  Regardless, they have a spiritual problem.

 

There is nothing harsh in James' words at all.  The reality is actions speak louder than words.  People can attend church and claim anything, but actions tell the truth.  People live or act out their true beliefs.

[GoRaysXD]

Q3. (Galatians 5:22-23) How does the Holy Spirit produce this fruit in our lives? What theological term would you use to identify this process? How can it be that a person who has been a “Christian” for years displays few or none of these fruits? Are they saved, but just immature? What does James 2:17-19 say about this? Is that too harsh?

 

 

 

The Holy Spirit produces this fruit in our lives when we let Him.  When we respond to the Word of God.  When we respond to the movement or influence of the Holy Spirit in our life.

 

The term sanctification is that theological term that describes the process where God sets aside the believer for His purposes and the Holy Spirit is remaking that believer into a Christ-like human-being.  The fruits of the Spirit are a manifestation of that process.

 

A  person who has been a professing Christian for years and displays few or none of these fruits have not either been saved or have not responded to the Holy Spirit.  Regardless, they have a spiritual problem.

 

There is nothing harsh in James' words at all.  The reality is actions speak louder than words.  People can attend church and claim anything, but actions tell the truth.  People live or act out their true beliefs.

 

 

 

 

[JoanG]

The Holy Spirit comes into our hearts and souls. He brings gifts from God to help us become "Christ-like" and to do the work that God has designed us to do. The Holy Spirit plants these seeds of goodness deep within our souls and our hearts. It is up to us to water and nurture these seeds. We need to give them food to grow. We need to be open to it. We need to be willing to allow it to work within us. It needs to be alive and to spread its roots in us. We pray and follow God and Jesus and it grows more. We do good deeds and show that we are practicing the ways of Christ. The gifts of the Spirit grow more and start to take over a life of their own within us. They cause us to shine brighter and to illuminate a love that could only come from God.

 

However, there are those people that call themselves Christians but never show it. They are saved by the skin of their teeth. But they have no grace from God. Their hearts and souls are dead within them. They are of this world. Nothing more.

[lighthouse2014]

Q3. (Galatians 5:22-23) How does the Holy Spirit produce this fruit in our lives? What theological term would you use to identify this process? How can it be that a person who has been a “Christian” for years displays few or none of these fruits? Are they saved, but just immature? What does James 2:17-19 say about this? Is that too harsh?

In Galatians 5:22-23 the Holy Spirit produces these fruits in our lives by gradually changing us in our character, he sanctifies us making us holy in our character.

The theological term I would use for this process is sanctification, the process of making us Christ like over time.

It maybe that a person who has been a Christian for years and display's little or none of the fruits of the spirit perhaps has not in reality given themselves over to Christ, may not have really accepted Christ as their savior or have kept some of the old habits they had before coming to Christ.

It maybe that this person has not accepted Christ in their lives or were never discipled in a church, they are still immature.

Jame's 2:17-19 states that "faith without works is dead". These works would be the fruits of the spirit displayed in our lives.

James is not too harsh in his statement above, if a person is saved his faith will produce fruit.   

[Annie343]

HOLY SPIRIT AND FRUIT: Comes as a result of the Spirit's presence; the Spirit's power produced by the Holy Spirit working through a Christian who is in union with Christ; when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we give Him permission to do the work producing character traits; we receive the Holy Spirit by believing in God's promises; He leads, guides and operates on the soul and we are given God's nature; He helps us to become more Christlike in our daily lives; He is the source of change

THEOLOGICAL WORD: the term would be sanctification, becoming holy; process is not in the flesh but to be renewed daily - putting on the new - it is God's nature, desires and motivation that we show to please and honor God; its reaching forward, not aimless but goal-oriented; choosing to live out the Christian life by being authentic and seeking to be formed in Christ's image; having a new perspective and not giving into the flesh

CHRISTIAN DISPLAYS NO FRUIT: he is refusing to seek the fullness of God or else he would look deeper; to not being satisfied with life as it is, truly repentant?; no change in life's values; makes one think about living for Christ or not; evidence would show by the practicing of spiritual disciplines to cultivate for the fruit to grow; quality of God's nature should characterize the life of every believer; we are dealing with ethical considerations produced by the Holy Spirit; the bible is our guidebook that would make a difference; we choose to acknowledge the Holy Spirit by our behavior and attitude which would produce fruit; it is the manifestation of moral and spiritual excellence of being submissive to the will of God

SAVED OR IMMATURE: I wouldn't know but when we look at the standard (bible) we can see if they are carnally-minded or not; it's looking to have it all (world and Christ) without true commitment -not being sold out (lacking the drive to live for Christ) by life reflecting the 9 virtues giving us victory - a characteristic of God to be reproduced in believers showing a submissive and teachable Christian living his life under the power of the Holy Spirit toward God; it is the faithful Christian walking by the Spirit making the life of faith productive and acceptable to God; standing on your faith looking upward; the walk should be a habitual lifestyle showing progress

JAMES 2:17-19 SAYING AND BEING HARSH: we understand that faith and works are together, it's not harsh because there has to evidence (results) of being a witness to others when they look at you; it shows our love for God and to  others; having this attitude and behavior seen as faithful; wanting to do the works of Christ (being his hands and feet); we look to live out loud giving glory to God

[Jonathan Edwards]

By abiding in the Vine, the Holy Spirit is patiently assisting us to be other "Christ's in this world.  This is what is called sanctification.  As we study the Bible diligently, pray earnestly and are testifying about Christ; we go from glory to glory.  We are always being Reformed.   The love of God as described eloquently in the Song of Solomon is changing us; inward grace working outwards.    

The Christain who lacks or has none of these fruits must have had either stunted Christain discipleship formation or neglected his or her prayer life.   It could  be that the spirit of bitterness or unforgiveness has ruined the garden of the fruits of the Spirit.   Sadly life events can take a toll on some people; not a lack of doing but just events that defy human understanding.   Such believers need gentle care and compassion; the healing power of the Balm of Gilead is available..

Those who are lacking in the fruits are in need of serious Christain formation.  I would consider such as saved; they are not schismatics nor heretics.  Like the Ninevites, these people don't know their left hand from their right hand.   Could be due to ignorance; however, their condition could be attributed to serious backsliding---a false security or a presumptuous assurance.  The Gnostics had some strange ideas about the necessity of good works and living Holy lives while maintaining a semblance of Christainity.

James isn't harsh.  He is stressing the importance of fruit that that the justified man must produce.  We are not justified by good works.   A presumptuous faith or false assurance is dangerous.  The believer needs to walk circumspect each day; examine oneself for secret sins that prevent the Holy Spirit from making us more like Christ.

 

[Krissi]

HOW does the Holy Spirit produce this fruit? I have no idea. I only know the consequences of whatever He's been doing inside of me, not how He does it. My part is submission and continually dying to self, but that doesn't answer your question about how the Holy Spirit produces fruit. I don't think anyone has an answer to this.

What theological term would you use to identify this process? Sanctification. Sanctification means to be set apart or holy, like a precious object in the temple. The agent that sets us apart is the Holy Spirit. I picture the Holy Spirit taking us, cleaning and polishing us and then putting us to use in His temple.

How can it be that a person who has been a 'Christian" for years displays few or none of these fruits? I will not speculate what the Holy Spirit is doing in another person's heart. I've met plenty of people whose faith seemed, to me, dubious, at best -- some were poohbahs in their church. But I am not to judge their salvation or sanctification. Or, their maturity. When a person is hurtful to me or others, I try to avoid them and help others avoid or negotiate dealing with this person as well. 

What does James 2.7f say about this? Is this too harsh?  Yes, it's too harsh. How many times have we not lived up to our faith ideals, that is, not done what we know we should do (or left undone)? Do we question the validity of my faith every time we sin? This was Luther's quandary -- he knew he could never be good enough to be a Christian or even consistently faithful, so he fell to his knees in prayer, submitting to the idea that only GRACE makes us Christian. Not deeds. Furthermore, we don't know the sum totality of a person's deeds, but only a tiny sliver of that person's life as he/she relates to us. So, even though that person was horrible to us, and we've concluded that he's not really a Christian, he could have been good to someone else ...

There's a reason why Luther considered James an epistle of straw.