Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

 

Christian character:

      Christian character is more than mere moral or legal correctness, but possession of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit, manifested in our lives. The nine fold expressions of the fruit of the Spirit can be divided into groups of three, each representing an aspect of our character. Love, joy and peace are inward qualities of the Christian. Longsuffering, gentleness and goodness express our fruit toward our fellow man. Faith, meekness and temperance as character qualities toward God, all representing the moral portrait of Christ. Taken together they present the explanation of Paul in (Gal 2:20)  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

      Exemplifying this nine-fold expression of fruit of the Spirit is possible only as Jesus outlined in Jn 15:1-8; and can be exhibited only when three criteria are followed. First, there must be cleansing (Jn 15:2). The Spirit cannot indwell an unclean vessel (2 Tim 2:21); cleansing is accomplished through the word (Eph 5:26; Jn 15:3; 1 Pet 1:22). Second, there is abiding (Jn 15:4; 1 Jn 2:6); there can be no fruit if we do not abide in Him. Third, there is obedience (Jn 15:10; 14:21). Christ is that Spirit and we can only live these nine-fold fruit as we follow Christ’s word and yield to the Spirit (Ro 8:2, 10, 4,5; Gal 5:25).

 

What is joy?

      Joy has been defined as an inner feeling of satisfaction and bliss brought about by spiritual blessings and faith in God. Happiness is gladness and good feelings brought about by external attractions and gain.

 

Joy in Scripture:

      Various passages talk about our joy and what it means to us. Joy is strength (Neh 8:10). Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord (Phil 4:4). God’s word is a joy to us (Jer 15:16); we should receive joy when we study and obey it. There is joy in salvation (Psa 51:12). There is joy knowing we are tested for our faith (Jam 1:2; 1 Pet 4:13; 1 Jn 1:4).