Fruit of the Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And
those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
 

Barnes: “That which the Holy Spirit produces. It is not without design, evidently, that the apostle uses the word “Spirit” here, as denoting that these things do not flow from our own nature.”

Ellicott: “The fruit of the Spirit is that which naturally grows out of the operation of the Spirit, in which it naturally results.”

Gills: “… as they are fruits, and are rightly and properly so called, so they make men fruitful, and to abound in divine things…”

MacArthur: “Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of only those who belong to God by faith in Christ and posses the Spirit of God. “

Poole: “The fruit of the Spirit; those habits which the Holy Spirit of God produceth in those in whom it dwelleth and worketh, with those acts which flow from them, as naturally as the tree produceth its fruit…”

Note: How often we ignore the power which the Holy Spirit can change each individual. It is the work of the Holy Spirit we need to call upon to empower us with the fruits of the Spirit. Fruit which can wart off sin and enrich our spiritual well being, therefore gifts to draw others to Christ. Why are the fruits of the spirit over-looked? How is it we give up on continuing to pray for these attributes? Let’s take an in-depth look at the fruits of the Spirit.

Next post we’ll start with love…

 

Abide

Sometimes it’s hard loving the brethren (family, church members, friends, etc.) and to love the unsaved is difficult too. Yet, Lord, You want us to have a heart of love for those people in our lives. How do I do that?

I need to remember Jesus laid down His life for my sins. I had to be unlovable at that time. Yet He sacrificed all (His position in Heaven) to become God-Man to die on a cross for sin. He opened closed gates of heaven for eternity for those who freely accept His gift of salvation.

I do believe I’m a child of God, since Christ died for my sins, I then can abide in love with His help. Lord, help me abide.

I John 4