The Fruit of the Spirit: Evidence of the Christian Walk
"The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ's control—we can't obtain them by trying to get them without His help." ~ Billy Graham
Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t get a handle on your temper or impatience? Or maybe the problem is more about having peace in a really difficult situation.
I know exactly how you feel and it can be like an overwhelming burden. And the more you try, the more difficult it gets! It's a vicious cycle.
The fruit of the Spirit should not be this difficult! Well, here’s the thing: it truly isn't! The problem is, we humans feel like if something isn’t difficult to attain, then it must not be worthwhile.
We have to strive to get it! We have to work really hard, because almost everything in life that’s worthwhile having takes a lot of work.
But here’s where the Christian life is different. Especially when it comes to the fruit of the Spirit.
And in order to understand why it's different, we need to know what the fruit is and why Paul wrote about it to the Galatians.
This concept of the "fruit of the Spirit" is central to Christian theology and personal conduct. It provides a framework for understanding the virtues that should be evident in the life of a believer.
However, in the practical aspect, we tend to subconsciously think that it’s the fruit of the Christian. While, yes, the Christian does display the fruit. But, the Christian is not the one who produces the fruit. The Holy Spirit does.
Before we get into what the fruit is, it's important to know who talked about the fruit and who he was talking to.
Who Was the Apostle Paul?
The Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was a pivotal figure in the early Christian church. He was born a Jew and a Roman citizen, and he initially persecuted Christians.
However, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus transformed him into one of Christianity's most ardent advocates. He became an apostle to the Gentiles, spreading the gospel across the Roman Empire and establishing numerous churches.
Paul's writings constitute a significant portion of the New Testament. His letters to early Christian communities address theological issues, ethical behavior, and church organization.
Why Did Paul Write to the Galatians?
Paul's letter to the Galatians was written to address a specific crisis within the Galatian church.
Issue: False teachers (Judaizers) insisted Gentile converts follow Jewish law
Paul’s Message: Justification by faith, not by works of the law
Focus: True Christian life is marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit
This was in direct opposition to Paul's teaching that salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by works of the law.
In his letter, Paul strongly defends the doctrine of justification by faith. He emphasizes that the true mark of a Christian is not by obeying the law, but by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
It's within this context that Paul introduces the concept of the "fruit of the Spirit," contrasting it with the "acts of the flesh.” He highlighted the virtues that should characterize a life led by the Spirit.
The Fruit of the Spirit: A Basic Synopsis
The "fruit of the Spirit" is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. These are not separate virtues that can be selectively applied; rather, they are interconnected attributes that collectively represent a Spirit-filled life.
We'll get into these individually in future posts, but for now, let’s look at a brief description of them:
Love (Agape)
Description: Agape is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It is the highest form of love, embodying care and concern for others without expecting anything in return.
Application: Christians are called to love others as Christ loved them, demonstrating patience, kindness, and forgiveness.
Joy (Chara)
Description: Joy is a deep-seated sense of happiness and contentment that is not dependent on external circumstances. It is rooted in the believer's relationship with God.
Application: This joy transcends difficulties and trials, providing strength and hope in every situation.
Peace (Eirene)
Description: Peace is a sense of tranquility and wholeness that comes from being reconciled with God. It involves inner calm and harmonious relationships with others.
Application: Believers are encouraged to live at peace with everyone and to trust God amidst life's storms.
Long-suffering (Makrothumia)
Description: Patience, or long-suffering, is the ability to endure hardships and delays with a calm and forgiving spirit.
Application: Christians are called to be patient with others, showing forbearance and restraint even in challenging situations.
Gentleness (Christotes)
Description: Gentleness (also kindness) involves being considerate, helpful, and benevolent towards others. It reflects a gentle and compassionate attitude.
Application: Acts of kindness demonstrate the love of Christ and can have a profound impact on those around us.
Goodness (Agathosune)
Description: Goodness is moral excellence and virtue. It is the inclination to do what is right and just.
Application: Living a life of goodness involves making ethical choices and striving to reflect God's holiness in our actions.
Faith (Pistis)
Description: Faith is the belief in salvation through Christ. It is also loyalty and reliability. It signifies steadfastness in faith and commitments.
Application: Christians are called to be faithful in their relationship with God and in their responsibilities to others.
Meekness (Prautes)
Description: Gentleness is strength under control. It involves being humble and considerate, even when facing provocation.
Application: A gentle spirit helps maintain unity and peace within the community and shows Christ's love to others.
Temperance (Enkrateia)
Description: Temperance (self-control) is the ability to regulate one's emotions, desires, and actions. It is essential for overcoming temptations and living a disciplined life.
Application: Practicing self-control enables believers to resist sinful behaviors and pursue righteousness.
So let's be real here. It would be incredibly difficult for us to "work up" these characteristics. It's pretty much impossible. Honestly? We can't do it.
That's the whole point. I know I keep saying it, but the Holy Spirit has to do it.
The Significance of the Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life.
I know I keep mentioning this, but it's very important to understand. As hard as it is to believe, it's not achieved through human effort. I mentioned earlier that we tend to view things in the Christian life as hard. Difficult. The harder we have to work, the more it "feels" like this is the way to go!
But it's not meant to be difficult! That's the beauty of it! It's the natural outcome of a life surrendered to God. Of a life plugged in to the Vine (Jesus Christ). It's as simple as choosing to obey the Holy Spirit's direction in our lives.
Paul's emphasis on the fruit of the Spirit underscores the importance of inner transformation over conforming to religious rituals.
It is so easy to have a list to check off. I did all the things. That must mean I have the fruit of the Spirit.
Notice the main word in those sentences: I. It's all about me and how much I do. But like I said before. It's not the Christian's fruit. It's the Holy Spirit's.
As a result, it highlights true Christian maturity as measured by character and conduct rather than by mere adherence to rules.
The fruit of the Spirit offers a comprehensive guide to Christian living, rooted in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Paul's teachings to the Galatians remind us that our faith should be evident in our actions and attitudes.
The desire to have these attributes in our lives should draw us closer to God. By embracing these qualities, Christians can make a profound impact, living out their faith in a way that draws others to Christ.
