Galatians 5:22,23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
God's creation and plans are wonderful. Today's passage illustrates more of that. The fact that these traits come forth from the lives of His children is amazing. When we associate with people, they begin to have similar habits or mannerisms. Luke says in Acts 4:13, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus." This is more than adopting similar slang, because the Holy Spirit was within them providing power.
The same charge should be made of us, others should be able to say that we "had been with Jesus." Even though we have never met him while on earth, His Spirit lives within us and His fruit becomes more evident in us as we walk with Him.
In what ways are we to be like Jesus? His summarizing the commandments into loving God and people show us His priorities. We will love God and people more and more.
How is this done? Being in Christ causes some of it to exude from us. Other times it involves our partnership. We will have our difficulties which often involve others. We'll be in one another's space and we will feel irritated. We'll feel convicted as we know we should be loving, so we pray and ask for help. We roughly do our best to love. That is the act of faith He looks for. We'll find it a little easier next time. In time His love is flowing through us.
This is just like the fruit tree. We don't see fruit then all of the sudden there are little buds. Then they blossom into apples and apricots. So, also we usually don't see it when we toss up the prayer. Then in time, we realize that person doesn't bother us as much as they used to. Not that they've changed, but we can tolerate them better. He's causing us to be more loving.
He often uses the adversity we go through to produce this fruit in us. I Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you." Then Hebrews 12:5 says, 'And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him."' The Lord uses tough times to cause His fruit to be born within us.
The verse says, "do not be surprised". Who would have thought God would use difficulties to be the springboards for growth and blessing. We often feel we've made a mistake or taken a wrong turn. Not necessarily. Some times He authors the trouble, sometimes He just takes advantage of is.
Faith tells us to believe at these times. Instead of getting frustrated, we are to trust. Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him ; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him." He wants us to see these as opportunities to trust, knowing rewards and blessing await. It's true.
Not only is faith born in us at these times, but gratitude. David says in Psalm 23, "Surely goodness and mercy follows me all the days of my life". It just takes a pause to reflect and see all His blessings. Thank You, God.
His fruit is the natural output of a believer's life. Instead of anger and frustration, come grace and mercy. What a great God.
Lord, thank You for all of this. We don't deserve it. You are a giver. Thank You.