Three Supernatural Gifts

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,  Romans 14:17 NIV

Most of our actions to live our Christian lives flow from our desire to give our best efforts of trying to be good…do what is right. This is commendable. It makes sense in our minds of the checklist we have made that would impress God. But God has a better plan…supernaturally given and driven by the Holy Spirit.

I have so many thoughts I want to share about this verse and its implications for our daily lives its hard to know where to start.  Let’s do this…Context…Interpretation and then application.

Context.

Paul is writing to the Romans about division within the church over eating and drinking. So much of the Jewish culture revolved around foods and dietary laws that would make one clean or unclean in their relationship with God. This is no small matter. To keep oneself clean by dietary laws was the entrance into and the maintaining of a right and healthy relationship with God.

Some were abiding by the laws and some were free to eat other foods that were deemed unclean. These divisions were creating a hierarchy of those who were more spiritual than others. Today we must be careful, for we also have created a list of activities that we believe make one more spiritual…special days of celebration, fasting, dietary lifestyles, following certain teachers while vilifying others and the list goes on.

Verse 12 states If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. The key to averting divisions are actions inspired by love. Putting others first. This is easier said than done, but it is obtainable. How…by the supernatural influence of verse 14….the Holy Spirit.

Interpretation

The kingdom of God. This is the rule and reign of God. It’s God’s culture for living. It’s the atmosphere of love for God and others in which the believer breathes comfortably. It’s the lighting that brings clarity to the shapes, people, objects and experiences as we navigate life. It’s His way of doing things that are not like our ways. This kingdom is within the children of God. It is the king’s domain. Its boundaries are larger on the side of what you Can Do, Get to Do than the other side of – What I Can Not Do This Kingdom is bigger than the issues of food and drink. Jesus said repent (change the way you are thinking and living) because the kingdom of God is at hand. It is available to be lived and experienced now. Then Jesus spent the rest of His ministry trying to share what this kingdom looks like on earth as it is in heaven.

Righteousness is both imputed and imparted by God. He makes us righteous. Why? It establishes the “right relationship” necessary for continual abiding fellowship with Him. The Holy Spirit abides with us always…like all the time…like when we are cognisant of Him and when we are not…like when we are worshipping and when we are going our own way in sinning…He remains with us. We can’t make ourselves righteous and we can’t make ourselves more righteous by good behavior. The Father declares us righteous becaue of Jesus sacrifice and the witness of the presence of Holy Spirit. Those who are followers of Jesus are made righteous and brought into fellowship….common union…a sweet oneness with our Father.

Peace is the shalom of God for our whole being. It is more than calmness and serenity. It’s wholeness experienced by the effects of the good shepherd, Jesus, in which we are in want of nothing. When God breathes His favor over your life, you are experiencing the aroma of peace. He grants peace supernaturally, you can’t work it up. BUT you can receive his favor and peace by faith. Acknowledge His gift. Thank HIm for peace. Receive it in and over your life by faith.

Joy of the Lord is your strength. Joy is so closely related to Hope because it is the springboard of the present jumping into your future. Joy is far more than laughter and smiles. It is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of a follower of Jesus, because it appears to be counterintuitive to the circumstances. They were experiencing persecution, yet their joy in the Lord remained with them. Joy is also supernaturally given, by faith. Where the Holy Spirit is present, He brings joy with Him. Joy is released fresh in worship, lifting our spirits to appreciate God for Himself. 

Application

How do we live in these Kingdom gifts of the Holy Spirit which all flow from Him?

Righteousness application – If we confess our sins, He is righteous and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, John 1:9. Come now let us reason together, though your sins are scarlett they shall be made white as snow.  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. You don’t have to look for transgressions –  Search me O God and see if there be any wicked way in me. Take some time regularly to let the Holy Spirit bring refreshing cleansing and a renewed spirit within you

Peace – Phil 4:6-7 tells us a very practical way to live in peace…bring our worries to him with petitions and thanksgiving. THEN peace guards us. The imagery for guard is a tower on the perimeter looking for attacks from the enemy. Learn to become aware when peace begins to be unsettled, so that you can present the worried request. By faith receive His peace over your heart and mind.

Joy – As mentioned before, worship, joy and hope hang out very well together.  Worship is more than having the music playing in the background. It’s redirecting your thoughts heavenward. Worship is not limited to music. Scripture reading can lead to worship. Prayer walking by giving thanks for His creation leads to worship. Praying  in the spirit edifies yourself and allows joy to find home in your heart. Appreciating people in your life, families, children, grandchildren can lead to worship. By faith, ask God for joy in the Holy Ghost.

Here is the deal. These three aspects of the Kingdom of God are supernatural. They are gifts from God to His children. We can’t earn any of these by good works or trying harder. BUT we can receive, experience, them all by faith. If we then being evil know how to give good gifts to our children, HOW MUCH MORE will our heavenly Father give to those who ask.

May you walk, live, and breathe the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Blessings, Love y’all