For HIS Sake

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.

- The Apostle Paul, Galatians 5:22-23a

There are literally hundreds of quotes on the internet about self-control. Almost, if not all of them, are about exercising self-control for our own benefit, to get ahead in the world, or as Pastor Jared put it, to avoid embarrassment and shame.

The world teaches us to practice self-control in order to avoid the appearance of greed, gluttony, pride, compulsiveness and the quest for power and status. We are instead to exhibit wisdom, courage, justice and moderation. As Pastor Jared explained, all the self-help books and modern psychology teach us this for OUR sake. It is for our own good.

The Bible, in the teachings of Jesus, Paul and others, provides us with an entirely different perspective. We are to live an INVERTED life, one that is not for OUR sake, but HIS sake.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 6:20:

“For you were bought with a price, so glorify God in your body.”

In Colossians 1:10, he wrote:

“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”

Finally, Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:21:

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”

The world may teach us to live a better life for OUR sake, but our heavenly perspective is to change, not for the sake of appearances, but to become a new creation from the inside out, becoming more like Jesus each and every day… for HIS sake.

Pastor Ken

‍