But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23
When you grab a bag of red grapes in the market, you may notice that they come from Chile. The fresh pineapple was imported from Costa Rica. Watermelon came up from Mexico, kiwi from Belize, and mango from Columbia. The cultivation of the fruit in your salad has many origins, and you delight in their varied flavors and colors. However, when your spiritual fruit bowl runs over with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, there is a single Source: the Holy Spirit of God. Take note that fruit is singular—each of these character traits is part of the others, and they are displayed when your spirit is so connected with the Holy Spirit that every attitude reflects Christ in you to others.
Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, chancellor of the Reformed Theological Seminary, says, “If one is missing, then we do not have the fruit of the Spirit.” He adds, “These are not FRUITS but FRUIT. The ‘works’ of the flesh are plural and Paul enumerates seventeen of them in detail (Galatians 5:18-21). But the ’fruit’ of the Spirit is singular and consists of three groups of virtues: 1. Personal fruit—love, joy, peace. These have to do with our own subjective personal life. 2. Outreaching fruit to others—longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. This is our attitude in grace toward others. 3. Up-reaching fruit—toward God. They are faith, meekness, temperance. Nine parts of one fruit, all supplied by the Spirit. It covers our complete responsibility toward God, our fellow man, and others. “
Theologian Charles H. Spurgeon said, “Fruit comes from a rooted abiding.” If the fruit of the Spirit is not evident in your life, check how deeply you are abiding in Jesus. One commentator said, “Although God also made lemons, he doesn’t want your face to look like you suck on them all day!” Stay connected to the true Cultivar of the fruit in your life, the Holy Spirit. As you do, your joy will be full, and the Father will be glorified. Pray that believers in Congress deepen their abiding in Christ and exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Today’s Verse: Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 15:1-11
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
