Galatians 5:20-21 tells us the works of the flesh. Some standing out to me concerning the topic of showing kindness to everyone, including our enemies; Among those listed as works of the flesh are: hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, and the like… Galatians 5:22-25 then goes on to say, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such is no law. (#loveisthelaw) And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The verse in between these two lists says that those who practice such things of the works of the flesh, will not inherit the kingdom of God. Practice means, continuing on doing them after God has given us ample opportunity to change.If I choose to continue in the flesh ( after He brings such kindness of opportunity upon opportunity to turn away from the sin by my repentance and changing my behavior), He’s my righteous Judge rendering His verdict, not me: and even this is His love. We are only to discern the spirits and inspect the fruit; beginning with any boards in our own eyes, checking what kind of fruit comes out of us when we’re squeezed; but God decides when to bring His righteous judgment. He’s so very patient, for which we all can give much thanks. His admonition to us is to practice righteousness.(1 John 2:20)
Bitter roots defile many, not just ourselves. Hebrews 12:14-15 “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” These bitter roots become like a spreading cancer which invariably are impossible to hide. 2Timothy 2:15-17 gives us an example of those in the body of Christ whose words ate like a cancer, because they were profane and vain babblings which increased to more ungodliness. It clearly states that they erred concerning the truth.Our admonition is in verse 15, “Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” All the fruit of our lives, every bit of it is touched and tinged by any bitter condition of the root system. When we have a bitter root it effects, and eventually infects the relationships we have with a coldness, withdrawnness, selectivness, hardness, and with an overall lack of charity, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness. Soberly and simply, when roots are untended they can’t remain hidden. They are eventually exposed and expose us. The love of God sheds light on every hidden thing, which is a very good thing for all who are seeking to be cleansed and purified by His refining fire.(Luke 12:2-3)
Why does a once vibrant, life-giving, joy spreading, faith nurturing root become embittered? Somewhere at some point we ceased to submit to God’s form of real love (agape) which is discipline. We may have begun to resist the people who were meant to be spiritual coverings in our lives, forming and nurturing resentments rather than repentance as God intended. We may have allowed self preservation to rule in our hearts, believing that we must protect ourselves. When this happens, we willfully enthrone an idea that supports our own way, and then calling it God. Holiness becomes our particular, often narrow and keenly judgmental, view of things rather than God’s abundant, gracious and lavishing overtures with, in, and through us. You know it’s not holiness when your love is tainted and laced with self, creating barriers between you and others rather than humble, reconciling bridges. It’s God who wants to be our defender. David knew this very well. (Psalm 18)
Colossians 2:6-7 “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,