DNA testing, or deoxyribonucleic acid, has become quite popular in our modern society. Ancestry.com encourages people to submit a saliva swab in order to discover their familial heritage and/or background. If you watch the TV show Forensic Files, you quickly learn that current crimes and even “cold-cases” or unsolved crimes can now be accurately solved, sometimes years later, with DNA samples that leave no room for error. Amazing! You can argue but you cannot refute DNA evidence!
Years ago, I remember being in a youth group where a case was presented stating that “If you were accused in a court room of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you”? It was a poignant question; would there be enough DNA, if you will, to find sufficient evidence that I was a child of God?
As a child of God, God’s DNA should readily be found in me. What does that look like? What godly characteristics should be easily seen in my life? In Galatians 5:22-23, we read that the fruit of the Spirit (of God) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Let’s look more closely at this “fruit”.
LOVE – is a choice and it is not without effort, but we are called to love each other, unconditionally. In I Corinthians 13:4-7, we read that “Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful; is not conceited; does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs; finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things; believes all things; hopes all things; endures all things”. Love involves compassion, empathy, courtesy, wisdom, and forgiveness. These qualities will enrich my life and the lives of my loved ones.
JOY – is the countenance of life. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1, 2). John 15:11 says, “These things have I spoken unto you that My joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full”. Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice”. I have so many reasons to be joyful; a priceless and precious gift from the Lord! Smile, speak kindness, praise generously, encourage often.
PEACE – “Be still, and know that I am God”. Psalm 46:10. I love this verse! Sometimes it is difficult to find a little peace and quiet. Life can be distracting, complicated, frustrating. God desires for me to sense His will and His love each day but I must stop and listen in order to feel His presence. Quiet time with God is the most important activity of my day, especially if it can be the first activity of my day. Give God your first fruits, whenever possible!
LONGSUFFERING – is the “patient enduring of something unpleasant for a long period of time; enduring a sickness or hardship, for example, with cheerfulness”. “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Can you think of someone who endures physical or difficult situations but always possesses a cheerful attitude? The demeanor I show speaks volumes of my reliance on God to sustain and help me. Bill Bright said “The sermon of your life in tough times’ ministers to people more powerfully than the most eloquent speaker”. Amen!
GENTLENESS – is “the quality of being kind, tender, mild-mannered”. When we teach a toddler how to treat the new puppy, we say “be gentle!” Paul said, “I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). Am I known for speaking “softly and tenderly”, as Jesus would have me speak?
GOODNESS – is “the choosing and following of a moral good; a resistance of moral evil; a righteousness of action”. It is the thinking of others and what I can do to enhance their life; the looking for what is pure and holy. My husband was a “good” man! He thought of ways to love and please me and others. Romans 2:4 says that the “goodness of God leads to repentance”.
FAITH – is “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). It is the assurance that the things revealed and promised in God’s Word are true, though unseen, and that gives the believer a conviction of hope. I have faith that one day I will again see my grandparents, my parents, my sister, my husband and many others who have passed away. I have faith that God will continue to care for me, just as He has in the past. I have faith that God’s Word is truth. I have faith that God will answer my prayers and give me peace. Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please God…”
MEEKNESS – I love the definition of meekness. It can mean being “righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering, (long suffering), willing to follow gospel teachings, and the attribute of a true disciple”. It certainly is not a sign of weakness. I want to be known as a meek woman! Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Christ, Himself, was meek and gentle according to II Corinthians 10:1. Psalm 37:11 says, “But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace”.
The last “fruit” is TEMPERANCE, which means restraint and moderation in action, thought or feeling; self-control. Several examples are found in the Bible. In I Timothy 3:2, one definition of a deacon is “he must be temperate, self-controlled and respectable”. Wives, in I Timothy 3:11, are exhorted to “not be malicious talkers, but temperate and trustworthy”. Paul, in Titus 2:2, says “Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance”.
Just as the DNA of my physical body is evident to a scientist, the DNA of my Christian life, evidence of fruit from God’s Holy Spirit living within me, should be abundantly obvious and evident to those around me. What does your DNA reveal?