Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When I think of Jesus and meekness, the first thing that comes to mind is His Word; “Fear not, it is I.” It is not timidity, it is not weakness, it is the knowledge that no harm will befall you. Here again is an outward sign of the inner change.

Superman’s alter-ego was the “mild mannered” Clark Kent. Look at the character of Superman revealed, was he not also mild mannered? His strength and powers were obvious and it was hard to look past that awesome persona but his true character was mild mannered. He was strong and undeniable when it was called for but never used his abilities for anything but good.

Looking at the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13 I find the description, “does not flaunt itself, nor act unseemly”. Is that not meekness? When God works in you changing your character, you will not have to “put on” your Clark Kent act, you will be yourself, the new you.

I spent many years trying to discover who I was in Christ. I found that very difficult. Then I discovered who Christ is in me. I discovered you cannot put on the robes, wear sandals, and grow a beard to look like Jesus. It starts on the inside and shines outward. It is the abiding presence that produces the fruits of the spirit.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Some would have you believe there is but one faith. Faith is faith and that is all there is to it. You believe or you don’t. For those who can only see faith as believing, then for them it is that simple. For some there is nothing but the faith that saves. I have put my faith in Christ, everything is in His hands now. He is seated in the heavenlies, I am seated in Christ, done deal.

If that was all there is to faith then why is there a fruit of the spirit called faith? While looking over the use of the word faith I discovered it was only used twice in the Old Testament. Once in Deuteronomy where God declares there was no faith in them. The second was in Habakkuk where He declares the just shall live by His faith. Live by His faith, not their own. Even on this point we concede that there is but one faith. So what is the difference?

If there is one faith, then perhaps we should liken it to a heartbeat. There is a resting heart rate. That heart rate, about 70 beats per minute, is sufficient to maintain life for a couch potato. If you are running, that heart rate goes up to 200 to 250 beats per minute, depending on conditioning. The heart steps up its rate to support activity.

Faith is capable of doing more than just save. Faith can be active, and supportive. I once thought James to be very legalistic in his description of faith and works. I didn’t get it, but now I do.

James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James saw the active side of faith. Faith does not produce good works, it responds to it, joins it, is active in it, is supportive of good words through obedience of faith.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We were not saved to be couch potato Christians.