The Fruit of the Spirit
Nathan and Stephanie headed out to the ski slopes today. Debbie and I kept tabs on the grandchildren. When Debbie took Carter to do some birthday shopping, Mason and I went to the pool and then I had Mason help me with some exercises. It was great to have all the grandchildren together yesterday. I can’t believe how fast our boys are growing,
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control...” Galatians 5:22,23 HCSB
The list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is one of the most well-know in the New Testament. It is set in contrast to the “works of the flesh.” I believe the words, “works” and “fruit” are noteworthy. The deeds done related to our sinful nature are just that. They are actions and they come “natural.” They reflect the fallen nature that is a part of humanity since the fall in the garden.
Fruit is something that is cultivated, produced and fragile. It doesn’t come instinctively as part of who we are. But that is an important aspect of the work of salvation and the Holy Spirit. Who we are takes on a different meaning and dimension to our lives when we come to Christ. We see words like, “new man” “transformed” “new creature” all describing the new life in Christ.
Just as the “works” of the flesh are connected to our natural bent, the “fruit” of the “Spirit” finds its connection to our spiritual nature. This is the fruit of the “Holy Spirit” not our human spirit. As a result, it is our duty and challenge to allow that which is of God’s character to be reflected through our lives.
For that to happen we must yield and obey to God’s Spirit. Paul discusses the conflict that exists between the flesh and the Spirit, “For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.” (Galatians 5:17 HCSB)
Paul reports to the Romans, the good news is, Christ give us victory. “Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24,25 HCSB) But we also have an important part. Paul writes, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:24,25 HCSB)
The fruit of the Spirit is singular in nature. It is not a pick an choose “basket of options.” It has been observed that all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are related to “love.” We could say, love is joy, love is peace, love is patience, love is kindness, love is goodness, love is faithfulness, love is gentleness, love is self-control.
We can see the correlation in 1 Corinthians 13. “Love is patient…kind…does not envy…is not boastful, is not conceited, does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs…finds no joy in unrighteousness…rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 HCSB)
The various aspects of the fruit of the Spirit are only possible to manifest in a consistent and comprehensive manner when we yield to the work of God’s Holy Spirit in our life. The nature of that life becomes evident to those around.