Good Spiritual Fruit

When getting my insurance license, I had to pass two tests on the same day. I told myself that failing the tests was not an option. Since I took failure off the table,  I had to study even when I didn’t feel like it. I had to pay close attention in class even when I was tired. I gave up lesser things like tv shows in order to reach the goal of passing my tests.

But I had a coworker who was studying at the same time. She told me she was nervous but would feel okay with herself if she only passed one half of the test. She, as a result, had not determined to conquer. And in the end, she failed one half and I passed both halves.

Our Christian walk is similar. We have a list of characteristics to focus on in order to guide us in difficult situations. We need to memorize the list of characteristics that we are supposed to follow. Otherwise, we strand ourselves by focusing on the bad behaviors.

One more example, this week I sent a text message that did not send. I decided it wasn’t important so I was going to delete it rather than resend it. I repeated over and over in my head, “do not resend, do not resend.” What button did I click? “Resend.” That word was stuck in my head. Instead, I should have been reminding myself of what I wanted to do rather than focus my energy on what not to do.

If we get lost in the list from the previous post, we will flounder because rather than striving for what we should do, we beat ourselves up over what we should not do.

Here’s the list of the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians chapter five:

1.   Love – This should not be a surprise that love is first on the list. Our love for people comes from our love for God. We love people in order to show them God’s love.

2.   Joy – Believers are to rejoice in all circumstances, trusting that God is working all for His glory. This is not the same as happiness. I am happy with an icee but sad when it’s gone. However, I’m joyful when we get bad news because I know God is still in control.

3.   Peace – Christ brought ultimate peace through the cross because we are once and for all rescued from slavery to sin.

4.   Patience – Do not lose your cool no matter how people are responding to you. Here’s an important lesson to learn young: You are responsible for you. No one else.

5.   Kindness/goodness – God’s kindness  is shown when he provided salvation for us lowly sinners.

6.   Faithfulness – We are to be loyal and dependable. People should be able to  count on us to fulfill our responsibilities.

7.   Gentleness – This is especially important when we correct sin in others’ lives.

8.   Self-control – We need to be able to restrain ourselves unlike those dominated by fleshly desires. Another word for this is discipline.

 The Spirit produces fruit that the law cannot create. Don’t forget doing these good things doesn’t save you. It only helps us remember daily how to live for God rather than for people.

Read the next post in this series: http://wp.me/p2xHae-9J