Lord’s Day, Vol. 4 No. 21
(1) The Fruit of the Spirit is Temperance
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The word “temperance” means exercising restraint, having self-control. It is the exercise of a Spirit-given, Spirit-enabled restraint against the fallen, corrupt human nature called the flesh. It is the intervention of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life to enable him to put under subjection fleshly passions and appetites (Gal. 5:19-21).
King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:28, “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls”. The literal translation may be, “A city being broken down with no wall is like a man who has no control over his spirit”. He who has no self-control is like a dilapidated city (Timothy Tow, Pearls of Great Wisdom – A Study of the Book of Proverbs). Self-control is the spiritual quality or virtue that enables a Christian to have the power to keep him in check against the sin of the flesh and the spirit.
A Spirit-filled, born-again Christian, a man redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ, sins forgiven, the righteous man in the sight of God, having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, can make a choice with the enabling of the Holy Spirit to protect himself from the tempers of the flesh.
The emphasis is a picture of a ruined city to awaken the reader to the danger of having a poor control over one’s spirit. Proverbs 16:32 teaches the same truth. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
Charles Bridges rightly observes, “And certainly the noblest conquests are gained or lost over ourselves. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is an easy prey to the invader. Anyone may irritate and torment him”.
How to exercise restraint? Examine your thought life, your actions, against the Word of God. Cry out to Him for mercy when we fall short. His Word will show us how to make right. May we be a diligent student of His Word, as well as a diligent practitioner by His grace.
(2) Baptism of Mr. Tan Kay Guan
Thank God for Mr. Tan Kay Guan’s (91 years old) confession of faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He received water baptism on 7 May 2016, witnessed by his family members including his dear wife, children and grandchildren. We warmly welcome Mr. Tan Kay Guan to the membership of Blessed Hope BP Church.
(3) Reading Through the Bible In One Year
How is your progress in reading through the Bible in one year? We are approaching the middle of the year and it is a good time to encourage one another to persevere with the good work of enriching ourselves in the consistent and the systematic meditation of His Word. It is not too late to catch up if you are falling behind in your reading.
Psalm 119:10-16 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
Andrew Murray’s Devotional Bible reading for today is taken from 1 Peter 1:12 “…unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven…”
This is an excerpt, “Christ has taught us to think of God as our own Father in heaven who is ready to give His blessings to His children on earth…The Holy Spirit comes to us from heaven to fill our hearts with the light, the love, the joy, and the power of heaven…”
God bless every reader. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee