BACKGROUND:
Paul’s introduction of the word "fruit" is filled with meaning. By it Paul conveyed the meaning of a full harvest of virtues. Fruit is a by-product; it takes time to grow and requires care and cultivation. The Spirit produces the fruit; our job is to get in tune with the Spirit. Believers exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, not because they work at it, but simply because the Holy Spirit controls their lives. The fruit of the Spirit separates Christians from a godless, evil world, reveals a power within them, and helps them become more Christlike in their daily lives. In contrast to the list it follows, Paul did not describe these characteristics as obvious. The previous ones reside in us; the following ones come as a result of the Spirit’s presence.
Again, the characteristics fall into categories. The first three are inward and can come from God alone:
- Love. Love as shown by Jesus, whose love is self-sacrificing and unchanging, and as demonstrated by God who sent his Son for sinners (Romans 5:5). Love forms the foundation for all the other fruit listed.
-Joy. This is the inner rejoicing that abides in our souls despite outer circumstances. This characteristic has little to do with happiness and can exist in times of unhappiness. It is a deep and nourishing satisfaction that continues even when a life situation seems empty and unsatisfying. The relationship with God through Christ remains even in the deserts and valleys of living.
-Peace. An inner quietness and trust in God’s sovereignty and justice, even in the face of adverse circumstances. This is a profound agreement with the truth that God, not we, remains in charge of the universe.
The next three concern each believer’s relationships with others:
-Patience. Patiently putting up with people who continually irritate us. The Holy Spirit’s work in us increases our endurance.
-Kindness.Acting charitably, benevolently toward others, as God did toward us. Kindness takes the initiative in responding to other people’s needs.
-Goodness.Reaching out to do good to others, even if they don’t deserve it. Goodness does not react to evil but absorbs the offense and responds with positive action.
The last three present more general character traits that ought to guide a believer’s life:
-Faithfulness.Reliable, trustworthy.
-Gentleness—Humble, considerate of others, submissive to God and his word. Even when anger is the appropriate response, as when Jesus cleared the Temple, gentleness keeps the expression of anger headed in the right direction. Gentleness applies even force in the correct way.
-Self-control.Mastery over sinful human desires and their lack of restraint. Ironically, our sinful desires, which promise self-fulfillment and power, inevitably lead us to slavery. When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, initially we feel as though we have lost control, but he leads us to the exercise of self-control that would be impossible in our own strength.
Paul made it clear that the sinful nature and the Holy Spirit oppose each other. Believers, while receiving the Holy Spirit, also have sinful desires within. So how do believers gain the victory? The answers lie in the last three verses of the chapter.
The picture conveyed is this- “crucifixion of the sinful nature”. This shows us that God has broken the power of sin at work in our body. That remains a fact even when it may not feel that way to us. We need no longer live under sin’s power or control. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots; we will still experience the temptation to sin, and sometimes we will sin. Before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful desires, but now we can freely choose to live for Christ (Colossians 2:11; 3:9).
But what happens when we sin? Christ’s death made forgiveness available to us. As believers continue to repent of sin, they will always receive God’s forgiveness—all because of Christ’s death on the cross on our behalf. We can experience victory over our sinful human desires because we are united with Christ in his death, having “crucified” that sinful nature. Our evil desires, our bondage to sin, and our love of sin have been nailed to his cross. Now, united by faith with him, we have unbroken fellowship with God and freedom from sin’s hold on us. Our conduct and attitudes change, and the fruit of the Spirit grows within us because of what Christ did for us.
Because it is the Holy Spirit who gives new life, believers ought to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of their lives. When the Holy Spirit leads, believers must follow. Since believers have been made alive by the Holy Spirit, he ought to direct the course of their lives. Unless we actively pursue contact with the Holy Spirit and obey his leading, we will be unable to resist the passions and desires of our flesh.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)
Oh Lord, help me - help us to be controlled and empowered by Your Holy Spirit. Remind us of the truth that is found in Ephesians 3:20- "With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine."
Today, I want all I do, every action, every conversation, every relationship - to bring honor and glory to You.
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