I know you’ve heard the saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”
I think that statement really resonates with people. Why do you think people look for consistency between a person’s speech and their actions?
Is that good? Is that a healthy perspective?
Here is what Paul, the author of Romans says about the way God sees that difference in us:
There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
Romans 2:9-11 NLT
It seems that God will judge those that do evil, no matter who they claim to be… And that he will give bless those who do good.
We talk all the time about how our standing with God is made right by faith in Jesus alone, right? That HIS work is what makes US righteous… Yet, Paul writes this:
It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.
Romans 2:13 NLT
This is one of those passages that, if taken out of it’s context here in Romans, would seem to indicate that it our our actions, our behavior that is the root of our relationship with God… But reading the whole passage, we discover that our actions are the fruit of our relationship with Him. Discuss the difference between root and fruit when it comes to how God sees us.
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
-Jesus, Matthew 7:24-27 NLT
So, where can we start? How can we begin building our lives on that rock, practicing the disciplines that result in the fruit that God is looking for?
At the beginning of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount,” He describes what has come to be known as “The Beatitudes.” Let’s talk through each of them briefly, and contrast the attitude Jesus describes, vs the attitude of individuals in our world today. How do you know if you’re building in the right direction?
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Matthew 5:3 NLT
What does it mean for me to be poor? to realize my need for him?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 NLT
I looked in several commentaries, and each of them pointed this mourning specifically to being sorrowful over our sin. Are we that way?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
Matthew 5:5 NLT
What does humility look like? How do you recognize it in someone? How do you recognize the opposite?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied
Matthew 5:6 NLT
How is justice served for my sin and your sin? Do I long to see justice done with regard to the sins of others around me?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7 NLT
I think people generally tend to be merciful, right? In practical ways, what does mercy look like?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8 NLT
Okay, this one is a little harder… What does it mean for my heart to be pure? Maybe this goes back to what we were saying at the beginning about having integrity between what you do and what you say?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 NLT
On several occasions, I have contrasted the difference between a “peacemaker,” and a “peacekeeper.” A peace keeper just hopes everyone stays happy, where a peace maker injects truth into a situation.
What are your thoughts on working for peace? Where do you have to do that?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Matthew 5:10 NLT
Man, I know I have felt this one… It seems in church work that I often find myself lovingly speaking truth into someone’s life, trying to help them get on the right track in their lives, only to have them react in anger. I see it all too often. Why do you think that is?
What in my life might need to change in order for me to bear this fruit?
Okay, that is a lot for one group time. I hope this has been good. Take one last moment to look at the fruit of the Spirit as it comes out of a person who is being these things that Jesus describes.
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)