The Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit comes automatically when we yield to the Holy Spirit.
The gifts come in demonstration. The fruit comes in holiness.
We have just described the Sprit-filled life. This supreme love dares and does the impossible. It will still remain firm when the last selfish act, the last cruel ambition, the last deed of hate has been done. Love lies at the root of all nobility, goodness, or heroism. The fruit is an indication that the life of the plant is vital and that the true purpose for which the plant exists is being realized. The fruit is for the benefit and sustenance of other living things. There is no natural process by which a plant devours or absorbs the fruit it bears. If we are concerned with what fruit-bearing may do for us, we are probably misguided in the whole purpose of fruit-bearing.
Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who remains in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, MEV). The Holy Spirit uses the human “vine” to produce spiritual fruit that will minister to others. The fruit may benefit the Spirit-filled Christian producing the fruit, but basically it is to enrich the lives of others and to glorify the Son of God Himself. As a result of constant union with Christ, submitting to His prunings, and as a result of the life of the Holy Spirit flowing through us, the fruit in us will ripen in profusion.
PR
Read each of the chapters in the series: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control.
Category: Spirit, Winter 2018