These attributes are the evidence of God’s Spirit within a person. They are visible proof that God is in control of a believer’s life. When the fruit of the Spirit is displayed consistently in the life of one who claims Jesus as Lord, it brings glory to God.
In his recently released book, Forgotten God, Francis Chan writes about Joni Eareckson Tada, whom he counts as the most Spirit-filled person he knows.“A 1967 diving accident left then-seventeen-year-old Joni a quadriplegic,” Chan begins. “Lying in a hospital bed, she was filled with an overwhelming desire to end her life. The thought of spending the rest of her years paralyzed from the neck down and relying on others to care for her basic needs was staggering. But Joni did not end her life that day. Instead, she chose to surrender it to God. Little did she know that the Spirit of God would transform her into one of the godliest women ever to grace this earth. God gave her a humility and love that enables her to look beyond her own pain and see others’ hurts. She is a person who consistently ‘in humility count[s] others more significant’ than herself (an embodiment of Philippians 2:3).” (©2009 Francis Chan, p. 39)
For three paragraphs Chan then details all of Joni’s amazing accomplishments and positive contributions to the world. He talks about the impact of her autobiography and radio program. He talks about her international ministry to special needs people and their families. He talks about the honors she has received and her 2005 appointment to the Disability Advisory Committee of the U.S. State Department.
Then Chan concludes his tribute to this remarkable woman with these words: “Yet it is not because of these accomplishments that I consider her the most Spirit-filled person I know. Actually, it has nothing to do with all she’s accomplished. It has to do with the fact that you can’t spend ten minutes with Joni before she breaks out in song, quotes Scripture, or shares a touching and timely word of encouragement. I have never seen the fruit of the Spirit more obviously displayed in a person’s life as when I am with Joni. I can’t have a conversation with Joni without shedding tears. It’s because Joni is a person whose life, at every level, gives evidence of the Spirit’s work in and through her.” (©2009 Francis Chan, p. 41)
If you know anything about Joni, you have to agree with Chan concerning this woman. Joni Eareckson Tada, a weak woman to be sure, brings glory to God by trusting him completely. Her faith in God and her loving service to others through the strength he provides causes people to praise her Father in Heaven. God is seen most clearly in her life because the Spirit’s fruit is on display.
Ask God to show himself to the world through you. Pray that he would display the Spirit’s fruit in your life so that your life would bring praise to him.
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