- How well do you know the fruit? It’s sort of like the books of the Bible – really an important basic!
- OK, so you know the list – so how well do you show the fruit?! Obviously that’s where God wants us.
- Let’s commit to know these important truths and making them a priority in our life!
A Portrait of Christ Godward…
• Love – Greek, “agape”, self-sacrificing affection, commitment to others; the benchmark set in 1 Cor.13; the command, Eph.5:2; 1 Jn 3:14; 4:7; accomplished by the Holy Spirit - Rom 5:8; Jn 11:33-35; 15:13; 1 Jn 3:14-17
• Joy – Greek, “chara”, compare to “charisma”; deep-seated gladness regardless of circumstances; Phil 4:4; An exhilarated heart, spirit, based on knowing lasting Truth, not dependent on circumstances
• Peace - inner quietness and repose regardless of circumstances; Tranquility of mind, harmony; Rom 5:1, peace with God, of God; Rom 8:28-29; Jn 14:27; Phil 4:6-7; the Hebrew greeting “Shalom” שׁלם
Manword…
- Patience – forbearance even under provocation; tolerance, longsuffering “in the midst”, calm in the storm, courageous endurance; Hebrew “hesed”, loyal love, mercy, Psalm 136:1
- Kindness – benevolence and graciousness; sensitivity, concern for/with others, give consideration to others rather than yourself; Matt 11:28-29
- Goodness – constructive action reaching out to others; Moral excellence, the outward action of inner quality
- Faithfulness – reliability, trustworthy; trustworthy, another perspective: full of faith! Lamentations 3:22; 1 Cor 4:1-2
- Gentleness – consideration of others, respect of authority, Meekness humility, submitted to, Col 3:1
- Self-control – discipline with purpose and goal, ability to master oneself, Discipline, restraint; only perfect holiness possesses perfect control… 1 Cor 9:25 (7:9)
• Remember that Christ expects us to be fruitful! If we are truly one of His, the Holy Spirit does indwell us, and He will produce fruit, that is, the likeness of Christ in us – 2 Peter 1:8
• Also, this godly fruitfulness can’t be “conjured up” – we must “walk in”, “yield to” the Holy Spirit. We must be teachable and guidable.
• There is no law against these evidences of godliness – all men agree on these virtues
• These capacities, even the “bent” towards them, are in God’s design for man – but disabled by sin nature!
• Gal. 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit” - the right environment for the fruit to grow – the Fruit is the result of a long “organic” process – not sudden, not forced, not manufactured
• We live in a world drawn to spectacle – we instead are drawn to holiness, reverence, adoration
Study for the Week
1. Identify some ways in your life that show your support and care for others?
2. Read Galatians 6 - think of ways that this passage guides us in ministering to others.
3. In this final practical section of Galatians (ch.5-6), what would you say is the most important thing you have learned to apply in your life?
