(Robb Brunansky – The Cripplegate) By way of review, let us look at the fruit of the Spirit again at a high level:
- Love: A holy, divine affection toward others
- Joy: An unshakeable, dynamic feeling of divine gladness in the Lord
- Peace: The supernatural experience of reconciliation, harmony, and freedom
- Patience: The expression of a heartfelt trust in God’s sovereign plan
- Kindness: Concern for others leading to acts of grace for their benefit
- Goodness: Morally upright generosity toward others
- Faithfulness: An unwavering commitment to the truth
- Gentleness: A courageous, compassionate humility
- Self-control: Mastery over natural desires
There’s one vital part omitted from each of those definitions, which is that the virtue is being produced by the Spirit in all believers, which links all the fruit. The Holy Spirit’s involvement separates Christian virtue from pagan virtue.
The final part of this definition indicates these virtues are true in measure in every Christian’s life. All believers manifest these virtues at some level, and, over time, increasingly in their lives.
Throughout our study, we’ve looked at some practical things we can do to cultivate the Spirit’s fruit. However, in all these strategies, there is one vital thing we have not mentioned, and that factor is foundational to all these virtues. To succeed at cultivating the Spirit’s fruit, we must know who we are as Christians. Paul gives us three things to define believers that are crucial to spiritual gardening and cultivation of the Spirit’s fruit (Galatians 5:24-26).
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The Fruit of the Spirit: Introduction
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