Easter is a time of celebration for most families. It represents spring time and new things. Easter was a time as I reflect back to childhood that was a very special time in our family. As a child, I along with my sisters and brother always knew that this meant that we would get something new.
Easter bunnies, Easter baskets, new clothes, new shoes and a new hairstyle. Although I have not seen this picture is over thirty plus years, I remember it vividly as my sister and I each had new Easter rabbits. My rabbit was purple and my sister's was blue, our favorite colors. Of course, these were stuff animals, but a real tradition each year for us. We also delighted in the Easter baskets that our parents bought us as they were filled with chocolate eggs, marshmellow eggs of different colors and toys. We also knew about the real reason for Easter as our parents were Christans. We knew that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead on the third day. Each Easter as children, we could not wait for church services to be over, because we were ready to hunt for eggs. A tradition that is alive and well today.
This brings me to the question of " Why is your basket empty? As Christians, we should know that there are nine attributes in the walk of the christian. These are attributes of the christian life, better known as the "Fruit of the Spirit." In Galations 5:22-23(NIV), these attributes are revealed. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Let's discuss each of these attributes:
Love
(1 John 4:16(NIV)),And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8(NIV)) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Joy
(Nehemiah 8:10(NIV)) Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
(Hebrews 12:2)(NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Peace
(Romans 5:1)(NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 15:13)(NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Longsuffering(patience)
(Colossians 1:11)(NIV) being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully
Ephesians 4:2)(NIV) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Gentleness(kindness)
(2 Corinthians 6:6-7)(NIV)
in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;
Goodness
(2 Thessalonians 1:11)(NIV) With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.
Faith(faithfulness)
Ephesians 5:9(NIV) (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Isaiah 25:1)(NIV) O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.,
Ephesians 3:16-17)(NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
Meekness
(Galations 6:1)(NIV) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
(Ephesians 4:2)(NIV)2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Temperance(self-control)(2 Peter 1: 5-7(NIV)
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
The Fruits of the Spirit are excellent attributes to live by just because you were created by God and live on this earth. Just think about these attributes as one of the prerequisites to get into heaven.
A childs marvels at the thought of an Easter Egg Hunt. The different colors of eggs that are hidden in the grass are just waiting to be picked up by children who are full of excitement. Children in their innocents have an innate sense of joy, peace, peace, faith, gentleness, goodness and meekness about them as they are sure that they will find the eggs that the Easter Bunny had hidden. Patience and self-control while waiting for our Sunday service to end were always lacking in most of our characters as children. However, as we grew up these things were instilled in us as the trails of life appeared.
As you grow in Christ, all nine of these attributes will become apart of your daily Christian walk. True christian living is a lifestyle that must be nurtured and developed. As resurrection Sunday approaches, be mindlful of your basket. Is it filled with the nine attributes of true Christian living or is your basket empty because your attributes are still hidden?
