All Articles For In His Fear

Previous article in this series: March 1, 2011, p. 247. The last aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is the virtue of temperance. Temperance is more commonly known as “self-control” or “self-discipline.” Another word similar to temperance is “modesty.” This virtue is not mentioned often in the Bible, in comparison to some of the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit that we have considered. It is mentioned seven times in the New Testament. Included among the seven references is its use in Acts 24:25, where it refers to how a governor should rule well and live in view...

Previous article in this series: January 15, 2011, p.181. A virtue that the Holy Spirit nurtures in the believer by the doctrines of His sovereign, electing, and irresistible grace is the virtue of meekness. The Canons of Dordt, I, 13 teach that “the sense and certainty of this election afford to the children of God additional matter for daily humiliation before Him….” In the Canons of Dordt, V, 12, we confess that the doctrine of the preservation and perseverance of the saints does not produce in the believer a “spirit of pride,” but is “a source of humility,” among many...

What Would Jesus Do?” “What Would Jesus Drive?” “What Would Jesus Drink?” Although becoming less popular today, such slogans have frequently been buzzwords in Christian circles. In the 1990s the big question was, “What Would Jesus Do?” (WWJD). In facing decisions, struggles, temptations, or any other circumstance in life, one could determine what to do simply by answering this question. You simply need to follow the example of Jesus’ life. In more recent years a new WWJD arose, “What Would Jesus Drive?” It originates from Christian environmentalist groups who oppose owning and driving SUV’s. Their aim is to produce guilt...

Previous article in this series: December 1, 2010, p. 103. Because Christ is faithful to His church, His saints also share in that blessed virtue, faithfulness, by His Spirit of sanctification. Some of the saints noted for their faithfulness in the Bible include Abraham (Num. 9:8); Moses (Num. 12:7, Heb. 3:5); Daniel (Dan. 6:4); Hanani (Neh. 7:2); Shelamiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, Pedaiah, and Hanan (Neh. 13:13); the Colossian saints in general (Col. 1:9), and Onesimus of the Colossian church in particular (Col. 4:9). The Lord gives special attention to the need for this virtue among officebearers in His church....

Previous article in this series: September 15, 2010, p 494.

Previous article in this series: February 1, 2010, p. 208. So far, we have considered the truth that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and gentleness. Now, we consider that the fruit of the Spirit includes the virtue of goodness. With the consideration of goodness, we once again can appreciate that the various aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are a blessed unity. For example, where there is the true love of Christ in us, there will also be present the virtue of goodness. One who truly loves his neighbor will also do good to...

The fundamental reason why God’s people are aware of the end of all things is that they are pilgrims and strangers on this earth. If this earth were our permanent and only home, we would not think about its end. We would not want that end to come, would not notice that it is coming, and would not be ready for it. However, as pilgrims our focus is on our eternal, heavenly home. We realize we are just passing through. We are conscious of the reality of the end of all things. The Scriptures admonish us to be conscious of...

As pilgrims and strangers on this earth, we need food. The food we need is a special food, for it must nourish our souls. The food that the world has to offer is of absolutely no use to us. No matter what the citizens of this earth might present as good for us, it can never provide the nourishment and good health our souls need. In fact, it is poison. It will kill us. The food we need is spiritual. It is the food mentioned in I Peter 2:2, “the sincere milk of the word.” Without it we cannot and will...

Rev. Kleyn is a missionary of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, stationed in Manila, the Philippines. One way in which the word of God describes us as pilgrims is by referring to us as “sojourners.” We are those who are passing the time of our sojourning here on earth (I Pet. 1:17). We are simply traveling through this world toward our heavenly home. A sojourner is someone who is away from home. He is either visiting or living in a foreign land. He is among strangers. He feels very much out of place. The customs, the way of life,...

Previous article in this series: January 15, 2010, p. 177. In the previous article, we focused on a description of gentleness and on its only source for us in Jesus Christ. Now, we follow through with some application of that virtue to our daily life, particularly by means of the admonition of Colossians 3:12. The Lord commands us, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness….” We must clothe ourselves with this virtue of kindness, or, as it is also called in Scripture, gentleness. What is this spiritual fabric that must be worn...