THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRITThe fruit of the Spirit is spoken of in three different places in the New Testament. These are 1 Corinthians 13:13, Ephesians 5:9 and Galatians 5:22-23. Combining these three sections together we find that there are 12 "flavours" of this fruit all together. They are: faith, hope, love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, self control, righteousness and truth. These things are fruit, singular. In other words, together they are one fruit of one Spirit, therefore every Christian should exhibit every one of these things. "Love is patient and kind, it is not jealous, conceited or proud. Love is not ill mannered, selfish or irritable. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up, its faith , hope and patience never fail. Love is eternal" (1 Corinthians Chapter 13). Let us consider the things that "love" is in this passage:
The fruit of the Spirit is very important in our lives. The branch which does not bear fruit is taken away. If we have no love, we do not have Christ in us because God is love (1 John 4:8). Jesus said "You have not chosen me but I have chosen you that you should go and bring forth fruit and your fruit should remain... love one another" (John 15:16-17). Here is the beginning of the equipping of the saints. The fruit of the Spirit is love. What is love? God is love ( 1 John 4:8). If God dwells in us through the Holy Spirit then we know love, not human love, but the love of God "which passes understanding" (Ephesians 3:19). It is the Holy Spirit who fills us with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). |
Created: 23 - Jan - 1997. |