Faith in the Next Step Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Faith in the Next Step ----------------------- Date: 07/12/1999 Keywords: "blameless” “faithful" “stronger" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. eXXit advertises itself as a Web site designed to help you "stand strong in the face of sexual temptation." In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul lists nine "fruit of the Spirit," fruit that the Holy Spirit produces in the life of the believer. Each of these fruits — if produced — will greatly aid a believer who seeks to "stand strong." At eXXit, we believe that: The fruit of the Spirit is produced in the life of a healthy Christian, just as apples appear on a healthy apple tree. If there is any love or joy or peace in a Christian, it is ultimately the work of God. Christians can cooperate with the Spirit's desire to produce His fruit in their lives by yieldedness, faith, obedience and involvement in ministry. We hope you enjoy and benefit from these meditations on Galatians 5! Send us any feedback. We'd love to know what you think. Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24* 23. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Questions 1. What will the Lord God do for you because He is faithful (verse 23)?   2. How will you respond when the Holy Spirit sows a seed of faithfulness in your heart?   Practical help Sometimes it just seems too easy. God paid the price for every bad thing you've done, are doing, or ever will do. He's taken the blame and made you blameless. You've been entirely sanctified and preserved for when Jesus comes again. If you believe that, then how do you react when you falter? Well, you can react as one who lets a doubt grow into a question of whether God really took the blame for that one, or you can react as one who needs to exercise faith in a God who's always big enough to forgive. As God grows in you the gift of faithfulness, you grow to understand that your next step after a slip can be stronger than all the steps before. Take that step in faith. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."