FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT A tree is considered fruitful when it grows into maturity,has branches and bears eatable fruits. A tree can survive with its branches removed because new branches will grow from it with time,but no branch can grow on its own without the tree because its growth is dependent on the tree. The relationship between a tree and its branches is the same relationship between the church and Christ. We being the branches and He the tree as He illustrated in John 15:1-10. Without Him,we cannot survive. For every tree,the fruits it bears signifies its growth. Same way,what signifies our relationship with Christ is the fruit of the spirit. Hence,the bible listed the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22,they are characters that are revealed in the life of a Christian-the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.....These characters results from a spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. I will group them into three parts as follows: 1. Love,joy and peace(first group). 2. Patience,kindness and goodness(second group). 3. Faithfulness,gentleness and self-control(third group). THE FIRST GROUP:This part consisting of love,joy and peace centers on our personal relationship with God. Love is God,He defines love and its expressions. Because love originates from God and not human ideas ,we cant love others knowing Him( John 4:8). The more of God we know,the more loving we become. Hence we manifest love as explained in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. A loving person is always joyful because true joy is a product of love. Joy is not happiness because happiness is a state of emotion which is limited to external circumstances. But joy is an inward virtue that is unlimited by any circumstance,it reveals to the world that Christ resides in our hearts. For a spirit-filled Christian,joy is an unconditional attitude as stated in Philipians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!,also Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Peace is a state of calmness or harmony with God and man(Romans 14:19).To love is to be at peace with God,ones self and others. Peace cannot be induced by drug,neither can it be experienced by change of location nor can it be purchased. It is established in the heart of every believer because Jesus,the prince of peace who gives us His peace which transcends all human understanding(Colossians 3:15) lives in our hearts. Someone has defined joy as peace dancing and peace as joy at rest in God. THE SECOND GROUP:This group consisting of Patience,kindness and goodness centers on our individual relationship with others. The access we have to getting most things we want almost instantly-instant noodles,instant coffee,instant messaging e.t.c- through technology has cause many of us to be very impatient. But patience as a fruit of the spirit is not limited to science nor technology,it is the ability to endure or forbear external influence(pressure,shortcomings,behaviours) and internal influence(pain,anxieties)coming from our environment,under all circumstances. In George W.Brown description of it,he wrotePatience is that quality of love that never quits loving no matter what.Patience is love that is not easily offended. It is love stretched out. Kindness is love expressed in a magnified way. It is an act of love that expresses itself in being concerned for others and doing good to others. For a Christian,being kind is not a weakness,it is a strength,it is manifesting the attribute of God-unfailingly kindness or loving kindness. It cannot be faked and has no boundaries. Goodness is having a high standard of morality. It is behaving in a way that is morally right and acceptable to all. It is a character of love which manifest in words,thoughts and deeds when relating with others. For a Christian,being good is not for men praises,nor for fame,it is a nature of God in us that always have the best interest of others at heart. Paul encouraged us in Ephesians 4:1-2 sayingI urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. THIRD GROUP:This group consisting of faithfulness,gentleness and self-control centers on a our personal life and character. Faithfulness is living a life that is dependable and trustworthy. It is love that can be trusted completely. It is a way of life motivated by absolute confidence in God. The extent to which we have faith in God is revealed in the faithfulness we exhibit in our relationship with others. We should be as faithful to men as God is faithful to us.(Luke 16:10). Gentleness is not being a gentleman or gentlewoman,it goes beyond being calm or quiet in public,it is a nature implanted in us by the Holy Spirit giving us a moral control and security. Gentleness is the softer side of love which is humble,submissive and extremely tolerant. Self-control is a restraint exercised over ones impulses,desires,emotions and temperance resulting from total submission to the Holy Spirit and productive efforts. Only a Spirit-controlled person is truly self -controlled. George W.Brown defined it thus-Self-control is like a single coin having two sides-moderation and abstinence. It is abstinence from what is harmful and the moderate use of that which is good Conclusively,it is important for us as believers to manifest the fruit of the spirit as fruitful branches of Christ,because the fruit of the spirit is the evidence of our fellowship with God manifesting in our relationship with men. A branch must be a part of a tree before it can bear its fruits,same way you must be actively in Christ before you can bear the fruit of the spirit. Are you in Christ? Do you bear the fruit of the spirit? PRAYER STARTER:Holy Spirit,help me to live a fruitful Christian life in commitment to advancing Gods kingdom,growth of others and edification of myself. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 08:55:01 +0000
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