Effie Darlene Barba

And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty (Exodus 34:6-7).  What really is goodness?  Is it as some would say, complete tolerance and acceptance of all things?  Others would mock goodness, calling someone a “goody two shoes” because they choose to follow God.  Desiring to strictly guide one’s life by God’s moral laws, is at times demeaned by society.  Goodness, as defined by Merriam Webster is the nutritious, flavorful or beneficial part of something or the quality of being good.  Therefore, goodness must be, as in the scripture tempered with truth.  It must include justice and righteousness; alongside forgiveness and mercy.

God’s goodness is His Mercy, His Grace providing a way for forgiveness while at the same time standing firm upon His Justice, His righteousness and Truth.  Although He does provide mercy, forgiveness, and grace to all who come to Him with hearts broken by their own guilt and shame.  Those who desire Him, accepting His gift of salvation.  Yet, it is not clearing the guilty.  The guilty being those who reject His gift of salvation, marching forward with their own selfish agenda to do things their way.  Those who may even appear on the surface good; but, deny God as the only true source of goodness.  Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:4,5).  Goodness is forgiving the repentant sinner, while standing firm against sin.

God is Goodness

Continue reading “What Really is the Goodness of God?”

 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Galatians 5:22).  Over the past few weeks we have studied the fruits of the Spirit.  Thus far, we have looked at love, joy, peace, and longsuffering (Patience). Now we will look at gentleness.  Most of the newer translations place kindness in the place of gentleness.  However, the two oldest English translations—both the Geneva Bible and the King James Version use gentleness. A gentle spirit would certainly display kindness; but it would go further.  For kindness can be displayed outwardly, even by those who do not have a gentle spirit.  Whereas those with a gentle spirit radiating from the depth of their soul, can remain calm and kind even in the face of contempt.  The difference being the depth of the gentle spirit and its source.

A gentle spirit does not seek revenge.  Nor does it respond to the critical arrows being slung at it by others.  Instead, it that calm, gentle spirit which can turn the other cheek when slapped.  Certainly, this is not a natural response.  Our own human spirit desires to rise in defense when others criticize and belittle us.  We want to clear our name.  Therefore, a truly gentle Spirit in the Face of Contempt can only come by the workings of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus Christ displayed this throughout His life; even during His trial and death on the cross.  The Holy Spirit within me is constantly transforming me into the image of Jesus Christ as we read in Romans 8:29.

For you or me to maintain a gentle spirit in the face of contempt, we must learn to see things through God’s eyes.  Only the Holy Spirit can accomplish this in us; because, we cannot without Him.

A Gentle Spirit in the Face of Contempt

Continue reading “A Gentle Spirit in The Face of Contempt. How?”

What really is long suffering patience in the face of conflict?  When the road gets tough or conflict arises, a part of me wants to run, to hide, or to avoid the person.  Yet, that is not the fruit of the spirit referred to in Galatians 5:23.  After all, if God had justly turned His back upon me in my rebellion, I could never know His Grace.  It has been with everlasting patience that He persisted forward in the face of Conflict.  Patience in the face of conflict presses forward much like the oxen ploughing the rough and stony field.  Tethered with a yoke upon his back, he presses forward until the work is done.

When I refuse to face the trials or conflict, they grow within me until frustration overtakes my heart.  Thusly, it destroys true love, joy, and peace.  The task must be completed—pressing steadily patiently forward.  Never looking to the right or left, the oxen must press forward.  And so, do we.  Not taking our eyes off the goal, we press steadily forward.  Nor are we to allow anger or selfish desires to enter in.  We must allows be reminded of God’s patient steady love that deals with our rebellious hearts and emulate that kind of patience.

Isaiah 50:4-9

Continue reading “What is Patience Really in the Face of Conflict?”

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:23).  In the last post, I wrote regarding our position as believers, resting in the truth of knowing peace with God.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Romans 8:16). Therefore, as His child, I must take on characteristics so that I may look like Him.  God is a God of Peace, Righteousness, Justice, Grace, Mercy, and Love.  When I in my speech or actions fail to represent my Father, I bring shame to His name. The Beatitudes are like large spikes piercing this sometimes-rebellious heart.  There are moments when I throw off the righteous robes I so graciously have been given, revealing the filthy rags of my own heart.

Yesterday was such a day.  I could say that it was a righteous indignation that began the downfall.  However, that is the excuse we Christians feebly give for our own anger or lack of grace.  Once allowing those thoughts to enter, they grew much like a rapid growing cancer.  I could say the stress of everything overwhelmed me.  After all I am about to make a major move.  I worked very diligently to have everything in place before I left.  Yet, bureaucracy moves slowly and hence I fear for those I have for 5 years overseen and protected with a mothering love, until my replacement begins.  But if I have allowed fear in, have I not pushed aside faith? For it has not been I who protected them these 5 years, it has been God and He will continue to do so.

One Failed Peacemaker

Continue reading “One Failed Peacemaker and a Gracious God”

In a world filled with derision, wars, and division, how can we speak of peace.  Yet, the third fruit of the Spirit we are told is peace.  “And the peace of God, which passeth understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). How? Note it says, this is a peace that passeth understanding.  One that quiets the restless soul and comforts us amid the chaos of our lives.  It begins with knowing Jesus Christ and His Love which reached forth to us, even when our hearts were at enmity with Him.  He loved us first, before our selfish hearts could love Him.  Forgiven, I find peace with God.  As His Beloved, Redeemed Child, my heart discovers joy in Him as my greatest treasure.  Then each step of this journey, He teaches me how to trust Him more. Therein, I know peace, even when chaos surrounds me.

Horatio Gates Spafford had learned of this peace which overtakes the soul in the hardest of times.  Like a river of God’s Grace flooding one’s heart and mind pushing aside the desert of pain and sorrow.  He had lost everything financially in the great Chicago fire. That same year, their son had died of pneumonia. Two years later, he planned a family vacation to England. Due to business meetings, he sent them ahead.  He planned to join them.  The ship carrying his wife and four daughters went down.  Only his wife survived the shipwreck.  As he crossed the Atlantic to join his wife, he wrote these words. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’”

Peace that Passeth Understanding

How with such tragedy and loss could Mr. Spafford write of peace? The key is found in the remaining verses-it is Jesus Christ.  For in Christ, we know that this world is not our destination.  Read on:

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Whatever circumstances we may face or trials in this life, we can peacefully rest assured in God’s love for us.  Furthermore, we are assured that His love knows what is best, even when we do not understand. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27).  Even when we cannot understand, we can trust Him.  Therein, we know a peace that passeth understanding.

Concluding Thoughts

Next time, we will look at peace with others.  However, it begins with having peace within our own souls with God.  So many cry “peace, peace, when there is no peace”.  Furthermore, they suggest band-aids to heal the broken heart of men.  But alas the only one who can heal the broken heart of man is God himself.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link.  There is nothing more important than this; Because, He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Previous Posts to Consider

The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

Displaying the Fruit of the Spirit Love. How?

Perfect in Love Oh How Can it Be?

Is Your Fruit of Love Sweet or Bitter?

How Does God Prepare the Soil for Growth?

What Fruit is the Garden of Your Heart Producing?

How to Discern the Voice of God from Yours?

POEMS

I Did But Pray

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Photo by Kalen Emsley on Unsplash