TASTING THE FRUIT

by CharlesRobey
(Trussville, AL USA)

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit, for to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:5-7)

Whether or not you are an advocate, supporter, backer, or believer in dreams, you must admit there is something mysterious about dreams and/or visions. Dreams can stir up our minds for days and weeks after a dream incidence. (Acts 2:17) This is the reason for this dream blog.

In my dreams, I saw a vision, a vision I just couldn't quite figure out. There was a very large church with many front steps, and many people were climbing these steps, attempting to enter this church.

What was so strange was, each step had a particular message inscription fixed to the step, namely: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, and revelries.

And fastened at the top of the church's big double doors was a large sign reading, "Welcome to Our Church, Home of the Fruit Of The Spirit." "What a puzzling sign," I thought.

And too, what was so puzzling about this entire hallucination was as these people would reach a certain level they seemed to fall off the step. Some of the people were literally pushing and shoving others off the steps, as they tried to climb up.

"Why was this?" I asked myself. Could it be that they failed to get a strong foot hold on the step before climbing higher? Why, I even saw some of my closest church friends falling as they attempting to reach the top platform.

At the top of these stairs, standing on the front landing, was what appeared to be a man of the cloth, dressed to fit the part. He stood there, ever so intent, as he watched the people attempting to climb to the top. "I know this pastor may be able to help," I surmised. "If I can only get his attention, I know he'll have an answer".

"Sir, what is happening here?" I yelled. Instead of responding, he just smiled and beckoned me to climb up, which I did with no trouble, passing many people as I climbed.

Surprisingly, he opened his Bible and started preaching right there on the spot, on the front porch of the church.

"Friends and fellow church members, the Bible gives us a perfect example of spiritual growth, namely works of the flesh versus fruits of the Spirit. One must conquer the works of the flesh to be able to get to the fruits of the spirit. So, bear with me as I read about it." (Galatians 5:16-26)

"You see, my friends, we all have a choice in life. We can follow our inherited fleshly nature (Genesis 3:1-7) by living within our own fleshly strength, or we can allow God's Word to guide us, (2 Timothy 3:16) by producing spiritual fruit in our lives that we did not have to work at."

"For the flesh carries with it no good thing; individuals provoke one another, envy one another, etc. The Spirit will give you a positive consequence of walking with God. And if you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh."

So much like these good people, struggling to climb up the steps of the flesh to get to the Spirit, is our real life. We can win out, only with our Lord's help.

"What about you, my friends, will you choose to walk in the Spirit, or will you continue the struggle of walking by the flesh? You must choose."

At that moment, I turn to talk with this preacher, as I had many questions. However, he had abruptly disappeared. So, my only follow-up action was to go to the local public library, and research this subject on my own.

There at the library, another miracle happened. For lo and behold there sitting in the library, was this same preacher. And guess what, we had a spiritual bull session that day right there in the middle of the library. (Ephesians 2:8-9) This in-depth special encounter included my earnest prayer for forgiveness. (1 John 19) The end

Now, just as suddenly as my dream began it came to an end, as I suddenly awoke drenched in sweat. My next move that day was to visit my local book store to purchase my Bible followed by my joining our local Bible-believing full gospel church. (1 Cor 15:1-4) Amen!

Author's Postscript:

Paul’s answer to this discouragement is found in Galatians 5:16–18. The secret is in learning to “walk by the Spirit” (verse 16). If the Christian life looks too hard, we must remember that we are not called to live it by ourselves. We must live it by the Spirit of God. The command of love is not a new legalistic burden laid on our back; it is what happens freely when we walk by the Spirit. People who try to love without relying on God’s Spirit always wind up trying to fill their own emptiness rather than sharing their fullness. And so love ceases to be love. Love is not easy for us. But the good news is that it is not primarily our work but God’s. We must simply learn to “walk by the Spirit.”

Please sing along with me, if you know it.

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me,
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.