The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit!

 

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

As Christians, it is necessary to examine ourselves whether or not this fruit is in us and abound. Because, a tree is known by its fruits, so likewise, without the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us, it is a clear indication that the Holy Spirit is not dwelling in us and that means in whatever we do, we are not led by the Holy Spirit and we cannot call ourselves Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. Paul said something about the Jews. “He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly… He is a Jew, which is one inwardly. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel. Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they children…” Rom. 2:28, 29; 9:6,7. This is something to think about as we apply this counsel to ourselves in the light of this post. True, if the fruit of the Spirit is not in our lives, then we are far from the truth of being sons of God. Paul admonished the Corinthian Christians to emulate the liberality of the Macedonian Churches in their giving spirit in spite of their great trial of affliction and poverty. That, as they (the Corinthians) are known for their faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence and love, they should excel also in the grace of giving; because no Christian is complete by only one or two virtues, until he manifests all the nine fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Long suffering, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Meekness, Self control- as a single unit, just one fruit. The giving spirit, according to Paul, would make the Corinthian Christians complete as they are already abound in everything.

POINTS TO PONDER:

1. WHAT IDENTITY SHOULD A CHRISTIAN POSSESS: Luke 6:27-28; John 13:35; Romans 5:3-5; 2Cor.6:6; 87:4,5,7; 2Peter 1:5-7. The Christian grace is exemplified in giving, service, love, kindness, temperance, patience, hope and true purity without wax.
2. ENABLING POWER TO RELEASE THE VIRTUES: Romans 5:5; 12:2; 2Cor. 8:1,3,11; Gal. 5:16, 17, 25; Col. 3:16; 4:2, 5-6; 1John 4:4. The grace of God, our willingness and readiness, the Holy Spirit within us, the word of God, prayer and the renewed mind gives the enablement to manifest the virtues of true Christianity.
3. THE BLESSEDNESS OF SHOWING FORTH THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: Luke 6:38; John 15:2b, 8; Acts 20:35; 2Cor. 8:2, 4, 9,14-15; 9: 2, 6-9; 2Peter 1:8. Our fruit will enrich others and supply for their want, it will return with multiple harvest of similar fruit that we sowed and the Lord will be glorified.

GOD BLESS YOU!!