Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
We are not by nature, loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled. It is only because we’ve chosen to cooperate with God that these characteristics can be manifested in us. The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian's transformed life, so what is this transformed life supposed to look like? We don't have to look far for a perfect example. Jesus Christ beautifully exhibited all of the traits through out His entire life, from birth until the day of His crucifixion. He was God in the flesh and through out His ministry He showed His disciples what can be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus wanted the disciples to understand that fruitfulness was His purpose for them and it is His purpose for us, as Believers, as well. He said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain'" (John 15:16). His yearning for for His children is that we would be fruitful which can only be possible by staying connected with Him, abiding in Him. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches and if we do not stay connected to the vine, then apart from Him we are not able to do anything of any eternal value for the Kingdom.
Only when a Believer is full of the Holy Spirit, continually surrendering to Him, can he disseminate the full realization of Christian virtues. When Christ takes residence in the Believer through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, true Christlike character will be as natural a result as a bumble bee pollinating flowers. Thus, if one who professes to be a Christian is lacking fruit, he obviously does not have the Spirit of Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is produced automatically and effortlessly when we are yielded to the Holy Spirit and are walking in obedience to Him.
Are you confident that you belong to Jesus? How is the Holy Spirit developing the Fruits of the Spirit in your life? Are there certain fruits that still have yet to ripen?
_____________________________________
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the indwelling of Your Holy Spirit. I have seen Your power manifested through me at times when I had no idea how I was going to carry out a task. You are so faithful and I am so undeserving; however, I welcome You. I realize that my efforts alone are of no value to the Kingdom so I surrender my all to You so that I can join You in Your endeavors. Fill me, use me, and speak through me at any time You desire. I will forever praise Your matchless name and glorify Your wondrous works. You alone are the radiance of all that is good and all that is pure. Your praise will be on my lips from the moment I rise until I lay my head down in the evening.
In Jesus Name,
Amen