Fruit of the Spirit

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth...Eph 5:9

Summer 2007                                                              Volume 8,  Issue 3

Elusive Victory

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ire never wins...
Oh, it wins battles quite often, but it never wins the war. There have been forest fires that raged unchecked for thousands of acres, but always the rains or rivers or earth and stone come between the fire and its hunger to consume everything in sight.

There was the Chicago fire in 1871 that nearly wiped out the city, but once again water finally won. At times fire has burst forth in a mighty effort from places like Vesuvius, Krakatoa, and Mt. St. Helens, sure that this time things would be different. But, alas, even these were finally stifled.

You see, the fire can never really win in a world that’s made up mostly of things that aren’t flammable. But it dreams. Each day as the sun passes overhead the fire dreams of that time when it will win, when it will reign supreme. And hope springs eternal in fire, “Someday, someday,” it says, “I’m going to win.” Yet, for now, save for an occasional outburst, fire remains confined, controlled, enslaved.

Christians are like fire in some ways. Sometimes it seems like we can win a battle or two, but ultimate victory eludes our grasp. From time to time we burst forth and sweep through large areas, converting thousands of the lost. But always we are stifled by the forces of this world—materialism, humanism, paganism—and like the fire, we sometimes just run out of fuel. Each day, though, we

look toward the Son and dream of a day when we will win, when we will emerge triumphant in this seemingly one-sided war. But for now remain in a world made up mostly of people who can’t seem to be ignited by the gospel.

In spite of the opposition, God’s remnant here on earth can dream. We can plan and we can work and we can purpose how we will inflame the whole world with the gospel. And we can wait for that final victory God has promised us.

You see, someday both Christians and fire will finally win! “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;” (2 Peter 3:10-14).

Mike Hinton


Special Announcement:
We have decided to discontinue publication of The Fruit Of The Spirit at this time
but will leave the back issues online for your review / use.




Inside...
Page 1 - Elusive Victory | Page 2 - What Do I Say/Do In Time Of Loss?
Page 3 - Prison Report: Hope | Page 4 - Old Testament Studies: The Tower...
Page 5 - The Awesome Responsibility of... | Page 6 - Cutting Okra and Killing Wasps
Page 7 - Christian Evidences | Page 8 - Why Baptism?
Page 9 - Why Baptism? [Continued] | Page 10 - Continuations
Page 11 - The Weakness of Islam | Page 12 - Advertisements

  Back issues of Fruit Of The Spirit can be found on-line here