0714. The Fruit of the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Gal_5:22-23).

Step by step we have seen the believer in his relationship to the Holy Spirit. (1) He made a beginning in the Spirit. (2) The Spirit dwelt within him. (3) We saw the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. (4) We saw the victory over the flesh, given to those who walk in the Spirit, and now, (5) We behold the fruit of the Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is impossible to those who walk in the flesh, for the simple reason that the corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. The thorn cannot bear grapes, nor can the thistle bear figs. The works of the flesh are distinct from the fruit of the Spirit. Read Rom_8:19-21, and you will find the works of the flesh listed for you. Another Scripture which gives a picture of the flesh and its outgrowth is contained in Rom_3:11-18; still another which you may read, if you wish, is set forth in Rom_1:29-31.

We suppose that everyone will grant that the old man is "corrupt according to deceitful lusts," not only does the Bible say so, but every daily paper records the works of the flesh.

We have come to the place in our study where we put off the flesh, where we have crucified him with his affections and lusts.

It is not necessary to ask if anyone is walking in the Spirit–all one needs to do is, to "judge them by their fruits." The sun need not say, "I am shining," for his rays reveal the fact; and so will the fruit of the Spirit, in our lives, reveal the fact that we are walking in the Spirit.

The writer once was asked by a young lady "Can you tell me how to be happy?" He suggested various ways to be happy, but the answer in each case, was, "I’ve tried it and it failed." He then told her "that the fruit of the Spirit is joy." Do you want more love, more patience, more peace, more longsuffering, more gentleness?–then seek the fruit of the Spirit. Do you want more meekness, more goodness, more faith, more self-control?–then seek the fruit of the Spirit.

And how are men to know that we truly are His disciples. "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, because ye love one another." And "the fruit of the Spirit is love." To bear fruit, does not mean primarily to do something for Christ, it does mean to be something for Christ.

In the 15th of John, Christ said, "Herein is My Father glorified that ye bear much fruit." What can bring more glory to God, than love, joy, peace, etc., in our Christian lives?

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR