Paul’s words about living in the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of the flesh comprise one of the greatest admonitions from God. Within the context of that passage of Scripture, Paul contrasted the desires of the flesh and the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
By making your own contrast you can see that we all want the fruit of the Spirit. As I have often said, “sometimes we don’t want to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, but we always want other people to do so.” That’s what Paul meant when he said, “against such there is no law.” Who in their right mind would ever legislate against love, joy, peace, kindness and all the other facets of the fruit of God’s Spirit?
What should we know about the fruit of the Spirit?
First, it is fruit (singular) and not fruits (plural). The fruit of God’s Spirit within us produces fruit with many qualities or characteristics. Many theologians and biblical scholars would say there are many more than nine qualities but that these are representative of all the others.
Second, like other fruits, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the natural produce of the tree. God produces fruit in our lives because of who He is not because of who we are. He works within us to produce fruit and change us into His image.
Third, there appear to be three groups of three qualities each. The first group–love, joy, and peace–describe what happens because of our connection with God. We experience His love, joy, and peace.
The second group describes how we relate to other people. We are patient (long-tempered), kind, and good toward others as a result of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The final group describes our own attitudes–faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Finally, we should covenant with God to let His Spirit have free reign to produce His wholesome fruit within us. As we do so, we experience even greater blessings.
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Have a great week!
Waylon
One Response
This is always a great issue to visit and reflect on ones relationship with the Father in Christ Jesus. I find the humanity of Christ interesting in His relationship with His disciples as well as His ability to express His frustrations. He sees what is right in front of all to see and laments on the inability of others to see it. He gives witness to the craftiness of others who employ their aggressive base behavior to twist the fruit of others.
It seems a fitting direction to anyone who chooses to be a martyr, forsaking all worldly possessions. I have witnessed some who have taken just such a path. Those individuals are not well taken by the “christian” community. The contrast is interesting. Without the application of Romans 12:5 regarding the Fruit of the Spirit much is lost. If you have ever ministered to those who are dying alone, you may have some ability to relate. How quickly they are forgotten. Yet, it would be arrogant to think that they lived just to give me purpose. I am thinking of Claude Nu at the moment. His landlady, who found him, and I were the only two at his service. Because he had recently joined the Church his pastor did his duty and gave a service to the audience of two, that we could see, anyway. I have to say, he did a fine job. There are others whom I have known who had spent their whole lives preaching, ministering, and caring for others. I am sad I could not do more for them as their “brothers and sisters” of the church relegated their plight of being underfunded to be self sufficient as “their problem.”
Therefore, it is wonderful thing to see any group of “Believers” who organized themselves to do the kind of ministry I have witnessed at First Baptist Covington. Yes, “the poor you have with you always” is true; and there is a struggle between want and need in the battle field of life, yet, there is a Joy to see others do what one has always done, even if only in part. It is indeed more Blessed to give than to receive.
Thank you Sir!
Blessings