Fruits of Redemption
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Key Verse: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Selected Scripture: |
BELIEVERS IN CHRIST attain a transformation of character under the influence of the Holy Spirit that enables them to walk in newness of life. Nevertheless, there continue to be evidences of the old sinful human nature in our flesh that must be fought against.—Gal. 5:16
“The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”—vss. 17,18
Paul then enumerates many evil works the fallen human nature produces and concludes this delineation by indicating that those who habitually manifest such qualities will not obtain a heavenly inheritance in God’s kingdom.—vss. 19-21
Our Key Verse, by contrast, describes the fruit of the Spirit which embodies such qualities as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
The need for Christians to manifest fruitage in their lives is underscored in other scriptures as well. Here is one such listing. “Beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [love]. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”—II Pet. 1:5-8
The indwelling power of God’s Holy Spirit enables believers to crucify fleshly lusts while seeking to glorify God and to walk in accordance with the divine will. (Gal. 5:24-26) Our concern is for the spiritual well-being of our brethren. We will be prompted to encourage them towards faithfulness and, especially, their assembling together for mutual edification.—Heb. 10:24,25
Despite our best efforts and intentions, however, we will fall far short of the divine standard for being acceptable. We may, at times, require special intercession by fellow believers. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”—Gal. 6:1,2
God does not esteem us according to our fleshly imperfections and, therefore, we also should not look upon our brethren’s flesh. If humble, we will appreciate that we should not compare ourselves to other brethren, believing that we are somehow superior to them. Additionally, we should work upon trying to improve our own deficiencies while at the same time exhibit a willingness to edify and bless others.—vss. 3-6
The evidence of our sincerity in serving God is manifested by a realization that whatever we do, even if not seen by others, is observed by the Heavenly Father. Let us engage our efforts along spiritual rather than fleshly lines, and strive to do good to all, especially our brethren. With such an attitude, we may be assured of being pleasing to God.—vss. 7-10