This morning I read a very powerful devotional from Selwyn Hughes that was extremely thought-provoking and enriching. When I read these kinds of devotionals, I really want to share them with others.
I hope you’re blessed from it as I was…
“The last of the nine fruits of the Spirit listed in Galations 5 is self-control. It is interesting that Paul puts self-control last. Othe religions would put it first. Confucianism taught that self-control would help produce the ‘superior’ man. Hinduism thinks self-control will produce the ‘realized’ man. Stoicism thought self-control produced the ‘detached’ man. Moderen cults believe self-control produces the ‘happy’ man. They all go about it the wrong way. We do not gain Christ through self-control, we gain self-control through Christ.
‘Self-control’ is used here as a by-product of love. When you begin with love, you end up with self-control. If you attempt it the other way around, then you end up with a nervous breakdown. The self-control that comes by the Spirit is not a nervous, anxious self-control; it is a control that is unstrained, therefore beautiful. No wonder a great thinker said, “Love Christ and do what you like,” for when you do, then you will like what He likes. that’s the kind of self-control the Spirit gives. We delight to control what needs to be controlled because we desire to please Him.”
WOW! Enjoy your day!