THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-25
[22]But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
[23]gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
[24]Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
[25]Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
This letter to the Galatians was written by the apostle Paul around AD 50-70. The letter was written primarily to combat the Judaizers who had infiltrated the church at Galatia and were trying to bring a number of OT ceremonial practices, especially circumcision, into the NT church. They also argued that Paul was not a genuine apostle and sought to undermine his authority. Paul refuted this by establishing his apostolic authority and substantiating the gospel he preached.
Before we look at the fruit of the Spirit let me state at the beginning that Paul deliberately says ‘fruit’ singular. We have no liberty to pick and choose these qualities - they must be all evident in the life of a believer. If one is missing then we can assume we are either not a Christian or we are quenching the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In nature bearing fruit is not an optional extra, it is the major purpose of the tree’s life cycle. The fruit is the fundamental proof of inner life of the tree. If we are unsure as to a tree’s identity all will be revealed when it produces fruit. We decorate a Christmas tree but we know the decorations are not actually the fruit of a tree - no one would buy apples from the greengrocer and go and tie them on a tree in the garden because it bears its own fruit.
In contrast to the works of the flesh which lead to exclusion from the kingdom of God Paul lists the Fruit of the Spirit (verses 22-23). There are 9 Christian graces listed which cover our attitude to God, to others and to ourselves. Let us quickly look at each of these.
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JOY– this is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends upon circumstances, whereas joy does not. Joy is seen in what was once lost spiritually is now found – as in the parable of the lost sheep. Our chief joy is joy in God’s salvation of us lost sinners.
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LOVE – Paul uses the word ‘agape’ here for love and it this words association with God that gives the word its distinctive character. Divine love is unmerited, transforming and unchangeable. It is the love which sent Christ to die for us. Now because the Holy Spirit is living within the believer this love is to be shown towards other Christians and the world. We are also exhorted throughout scripture to Love God because he first loved us. We are commanded to Love him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Our love is a response to his love towards us. By our love for one another and for the world, the world is to come to know that we belong to Christ.
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PEACE--our deepest peace is peace with God. Our deepest restlessness is the broken relationship we have with God because of our sin and He restores peace in our hearts and lives by saving us from our sins. This peace with God is expressed in peace of mind and in a very practical peace between all who know and love the Lord Jesus. This peace is to be seen in our homes, between Jew and Gentile, in the church and indeed in our relationships with all men.