Fruit of the Spirit - - 7 Faithfulness

We are called to walk bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Because we are new creations in Christ Jesus we can abide and the fruit will be produced in our life. The fruit of the Spirit is faith.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is … faithfulness!

Galatians 5:16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

See the command in verse 16 and 25 let us walk in the Spirit.  It is the lifestyle of the believer.  Here in this passage the works of the flesh are made clear and the conclusion that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Let no one deceive you with fancy words telling sin does not matter.  Those living a lifestyle of the flesh will not and indeed cannot inherit the kingdom of God.  Wherever the works of the flesh are listed there is an immediate admonition to the believers. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  We are not the children of darkness; we are the children of light.  We are called to walk as children of light.  Because we have been born of the Spirit, the fruit should be brought to bear in us!

FAITHFULNESS OR KJV IS FAITH

G4102. pistis, pis'-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstr. constancy in such profession; by extens. the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.  244

Romans 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

I love this verse!  God has given to every man the measure of faith. There is nothing wrong with your faith believer friend.  It came from God and is all that it should be.  Yes, we need to mature in it, nurture it, and allow it to grow strong in us; however the faith that God has given us is pure.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.“ 

The law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  This covenant of grace is operated by faith.  The exclusive way to be made right with God is found only in the object of our faith being in Jesus Christ and the work He performed at the cross.  Revelation of God is revealed from faith to faith; the just shall live by faith.

Jude 1:3  Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

We have  been commanded to earnestly contend for the faith.  The greatest thing we possess as a believer is our confession of faith.  Guard it, contend for it, live in it.  God’s best can be found there!

Romans 3:26  to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.

Justified is just as if we never sinned.  This only comes to those who place the object of their faith in Jesus Christ alone.  There is no other way to justification.  Note we now live by the law of faith!  The fruit of the Spirit is faith.

2 Corinthians 4:13  And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak,

Whatever a man believes that is what comes from his mouth.  However in the spirit of faith we see the Word, we believe the Word, we speak the Word, we watch the Word come to pass. 

Galatians 3:1  O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?  2  This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  3  Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?  4  Have you suffered so many things in vain; if indeed it was in vain?  5  Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Everything we receive from God is by faith.  You begun with the Spirit by faith, you will finish by faith, and everything in between is by faith in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

When the object of your faith is in Jesus Christ it pleases God.  People pursue what they believe in.  Putting your faith in Jesus is the greatest place for reward.  Faith is the substance of your confident expectation of the truths of God’s word.  Faith is the evidence that you have what has not yet manifested!  Faith is the evidence of things not yet seen.  Faith is the substance and faith is the evidence; the fruit of the Spirit is faith!

1 John 5:1  Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.  2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.  3  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.  4  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.  5  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 

What a powerful word; “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
That is whoever has put the object of their faith that Jesus is their Messiah is born of God.  Jesus said the whole kingdom of God would be built upon the rock of confession that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God.  Faith works through love; your revelation of His love moves you to loving God and loving others.  “And this is the victory that overcomes the world; our faith.”  I love saying it, what you think about Jesus Christ determines your destiny now and forever.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.  The fruit of the Spirit is faith!

Fruit of the Spirit - 6 Goodness

The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness!

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is… goodness!  God is good all the time; and all the time God is good.  Goodness springs eternal from the heart of God.  Walking in the fruit of the Spirit is total reliance upon His goodness and allowing the overflow to change the way we live.  It is not trying to update and improve the old man of flesh; it is learning to live as the newly created being God has made us.

Ephesians 5:1  Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  2  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.  3  But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;  4  neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.  5  For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  7  Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Many believer’s have accepted that for the rest of their life they will fight this battle between walking in the flesh and or walking in the Spirit.  However it does not have to be so; one can walk in victory all the time.  Walking in the Spirit comes from intimacy with God; walking in the flesh is trying to live out the codes rules and regulations of law in ones own strength.  Grace teaches us to live as imitators of God as dear children!  Our love walk is a refection of the love we have received from Christ.  Here in Ephesians 5 it list some of works the flesh and establishes once again that those who live in such a way shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Believers do not be partakers with them.  Walk as  the dear children that God has made you.

GOODNESS:

G19. agathosune, ag-ath-soo'-nay; from G18; goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence:--goodness

Psalm 31:19  Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men!  20  You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues.

How great is the goodness of our God.  Those who have come into covenant with God can trust in His goodness.  God will keep you securely from the plots of men.

Psalm 33:3  Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.  4  For the word of the LORD is right, And all His work is done in truth.  5  He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. 

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord!  Sing it, shout it, put it in your mouth.

Ephesians 5:8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  9  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),  10  finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  12  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  13  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.  14  Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

If you have been born again, you are light in the Lord; Walk as children of the light.  When the light is abiding the fruit of the Spirit will abound with all goodness, righteousness, and truth. The word of instruction is “find out what is acceptable to the Lord”.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, rather expose them.  The Spirit Himself cries out “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.

James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  18  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

God the Father is good!  Traditions of men and false doctrine try to paint a different view.  However, the good gift and the perfect gift is from the Father and there is no exception, no variable, no story to cast dispersion upon the truth.  God the Father is good and all the time He is good.

Romans 12:19  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.  20  Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.“  21  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Out of the goodness of God abides the goodness we can walk in.  Walking in the goodness of God overcomes the evil.  If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty give him a drink.  Walking in the goodness of God causes the favor of God to be stirred up on our behalf.  Our experience and traditions have taught us to put complaint in our mouth about our enemies; God’s divine order calls us not to curse but to bless.

2 Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.“  20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  21  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.  22  Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  

Each believer decides for themselves to be a vessel of honor or dishonor.  However if you depart from iniquity you will be a vessel of honor you will be useful for the Master, and prepared for every good work.  We are called to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.  Walking in the fruit of the Spirit is intentional living.

Matthew 7:11  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

The Father’s heart and intention is to give good things to those who ask.  Can you hear his heart beat for you?

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

As a master piece of God’s we have been created for good works and we are called to walk in them.

Psalm 65:4  Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple. 

You have been called to come close and you will be satisfied with the goodness of His house.  Believer the Father has made you the dwelling place and His goodness abide in you; walk it, live it!

Fruit of the Spirit - 5 Kindness

The Fruit of the Spirit is Kindness! Lesson 5 We are called to consider the kindness of our Savior! Truly we serve a good God who has crowned us with His loving Kindness!

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is … kindness.  The fruit of the Spirit is not of human origin; it is of the nature and character of God.  God has deposited this into every believer.

Galatians 5:16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Whenever a list of the works of the flesh are listed in the new covenant, it is always followed by reminding the believer this is not who they are.  Those who belong to Jesus Christ have already crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  The calls is clear.  If God has brought you life in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit.

KINDNESS or GENTLENESS IN THE KJV

G5544. chrestotes, khray-stot'-ace; from G5543; usefulness, i.e. mor. excellence (in character or demeanor):--gentleness, good (-ness), kindness.

Psalm 117:1  Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! 2  For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!

All us Gentiles have been called to praise the Lord!  Why and for what occasion?  For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.  Behold the merciful kindness of our Savior.  He indeed has redeemed us from this present evil age.  How great is this God whose kindness is great toward us?

Romans 11:22  Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

This word goodness is the same Greek word translated kindness in our Galatians 5:22 passage.  The command is … consider!  Contemplate, think about, meditate upon the kindness of our God.  Yes meditate upon His kindness and severity.  The children of Israel knew the severity of God because when they heard the word of God they did not mix it with faith.  If the believer continues in His goodness, found through faith in Jesus, the severity of God will never be known by the believer.

Ephesians 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6  and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  7  that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

God is rich in mercy, with His great love made us alive together with Christ.  His kindness is so great we have been given a heavenly sitting with Christ Jesus.  Verse 7 shows purpose and intent God has for us.  In the ages to come He will show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:4  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  5  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,  6  whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  7  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

When Jesus came there was a greater revelation of the kindness and the love of God.  It was the righteousness He would work in the believer not based upon their works but the perfect work of Jesus Christ.  Yes, the fruit of the Spirit is kindness.  He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing the of Holy Spirit; this is the work done at the point we genuinely put our faith in Jesus Christ.  We are justified by His divine influence to make us heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Colossians 3:12  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  13  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Because God has made us a new creation in Christ Jesus we are able to put on this list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  As the elect of God, holy and beloved put on…  We are called to no longer behave like mere men; we can walk as the newly created in Christ Jesus.  We can put on tender mercies, kindness,  humility, meekness, longsuffering, and bear and forgiveness.  It is what God put in us when we were joined to God Spirit to spirit.

Matthew 5:38  "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.‘  39  "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40  "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.  41  "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  42  "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.  43  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.‘  44  "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,  45  "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

Grace empowers us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us.  The God nature has been imputed unto us we can walk in His perfection.  The Father make His sun rise on the evil and on the good so can we walk in love.  Many believers who walk in defeat are doing so because they hate their enemies and curse the situations that are in front of them.  We cannot afford to walk in the old man; putting on the new man allows us to love the unlovely and yes even our enemies.  Do good and pray for those who hate you, spitefully use you and persecute you.  Some believers still walk in defeat because they ignore the principals of grace.  Jesus brought revelation to a new way of living that is the course to victory.  If we ignore and refuse to make pursuit we will miss the blessing found in grace.  This is living life in the proactive kindness of God.

Psalm 103:1  Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!  2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:  3  Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  4  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,  5  Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

There is way of life in walking in the fruit of the Spirit.  Leaving the complaint of our soul and putting a praise in our mouth is a great place to start.  Bringing our emotions and intellect in line with the Word of God is so important.  Bless the Lord, O my soul.  When we turn our attention upon the greatness of our God we are empowered to let go of our complaint.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy name.  A lifestyle of praise opens our eyes to His goodness and kindness.  Forget not all His benefits.  Here is a listing of the benefits provided at the cross of Jesus Christ.  He forgives all iniquities, heals all our diseases, redeems our life from destruction, and crowns us with loving kindness.  Jesus alone satisfies our mouth with good things. God calls us to look upon His loving kindness; and in the overflow walk in loving kindness.

Fruit of the Spirit - 4 Longsuffering

The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering. The kindness of God included His longsuffering toward us. We too can walk in longsuffering knowing God can use it to reach the unlovely.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering.  When teaching begins on the Fruit of the Spirit we get excited about love, joy, and peace.  However, longsuffering, God I’m not sure I signed up for this.  By inference alone it does not sound pleasant; can it possibly hold a value that glorifies God?  Answer with another question.  Did the longsuffering of Christ yield something good in every believer?

Galatians 5:16  I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  19  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Some have viewed this passage as a never ending battle and the believer walks in chaos between the walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh for all their life.  The truth of the matter, tradition has taught us that!  If we view the word carefully we shall see the intended purpose of God.  Verse 24 holds the key to rightly dividing the truth.  Christ has taken ownership of the believer.  If you belong to Christ you have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Verse 25 is not some unachievable truth that we must spend the remaining of our lives working toward.  It is coming and abiding in Christ and the fruit of the Spirit will be produced.  However, it is a choice and a pursuit of that choice.

LONGSUFFERING:

3115. makrothumia, mak-roth-oo-mee'-ah; from the same as G3116; longanimity, i.e. (obj.) forbearance or (subj.) fortitude:--longsuffering, patience.  Patient endurance of hardship, injuries, or offense.

2 Peter 3:14  Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;  15  and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

Verse 15 is so powerful… consider the longsuffering of our Lord and Savior and what it produced in our lives.  God is longsuffering because his heart is to bring as many to salvation as possible.  We are commanded to consider the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.  Meditate on the truth His longsuffering has produced a harvest of men being reconciled to God.

Ephesians 4:1  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,  2  with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,  3  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Longsuffering is not something we have to conjure up in our old man.  When we became new creations in Christ Jesus, longsuffering was put in us.  As we yield to the goodness of God it will produce the fruit of the Spirit including longsuffering.  Paul is begging the church to walk worthy by submitting to and walking in longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. 

Romans 15:1  We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  2  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.  3  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.“  4  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  5  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  6  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7  Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Longsuffering is characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit.  We who are strong have been called to bear with the scruples of the weak.  Being patient with the weak has the power to strengthen the weak.  Being intolerable of the weak can drive them off.  God calls the strong to bear with the infirmities of the weak.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded…  Receive the weak as Christ received you!  While you were still a sinner Christ died for you!

Romans 2:4  Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

The goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering of God leads to repentance.  Let it change your prayer life for those who are doing you wrong.  God if your goodness leads to repentance let the sinner man see your goodness.  God if your goodness and longsuffering lead to repentance let me imitate my Savior’s longsuffering.

Colossians 1:9  For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  10  that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

I pray that every believer will be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.  This prayer is for the body of Christ to be fruitful in every good work.

Colossians 1:11  strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12  giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  13  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,  14  in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

God wants to strengthen you with His might for all patience and longsuffering with joy.  It is amazing how longsuffering is connected to the joy of the Lord.  When you see that your longsuffering can do a loving work in someone else’s life you can go through with joy.  The bases of longsuffering with joy comes from the greatness of the work the Father has done in our own lives.  The Father Himself has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  The Father bringing us redemption is the source of strength for our longsuffering toward others.

Hebrews 12:1  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  4  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Verse 2 is the focal point.  Jesus, who the for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.  You believer friend are the joy set before Him.  He could see His suffering could bring many sons to glory.  You are the desire of God and it brought Him pleasure to allow His only begotten Son to suffer that He might gain you.  Yes, the fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering.

The Fruit of the Spirit - 3 Peace

The fruit of the Spirit is peace... God's intended purpose is for the peace of God to rule and reign in our hearts. The blood of Jesus has bought us our peace with God.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

We have come unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith.  We are called to walk in the Spirit.  As we walk in the Spirit we will bear all the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit.

Colossians 3:5  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  6  Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,  7  in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.  8  But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.  9  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,  10  and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,  11  where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

One cannot speak of walking in the Spirit without understanding walking in the works of the flesh.  This is one of the parallel passages of the works of the flesh.  It is important to note whenever the list of the works of the flesh are listed the believer is quickly drawn to this is not who you are but who you used to be.  Put on the new man; know who you are in Christ.  Christ alone has set men free from sin and has brought us reconciliation with the Father.  Christ is all and in all!

PEACE:

G1515. eirene, i-ray'-nay; prob. from a prim. verb  eiro (to join); peace (lit. or fig.); by impl. prosperity:--one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

John 14:27  "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The fruit of the Spirit is peace!  Jesus gave us His peace; when we accepted Jesus as our Messiah His peace was imputed to us.  We can walk free of turmoil and fear by turning our hearts to His peace.  At one with God.  When we come to Jesus, we enter into His rest.  God’s intended purpose is for us to live our life from this place of rest.

Romans 5:1  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  2  through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  4  and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  5  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  This peace comes with access into His divine influence in our lives every minute of every day!  This divine influence will bring us through the toughest of times; all the while His divine influence allow us to glory in tribulation.  His divine influence changes our very character in the midst of the bad circumstances.  This divine influence keeps hope alive even in the fiery trials of life.  We are resting in the goodness of His love.  Faithful God indeed.

Romans 10:15  And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!“

It is the gospel of peace we have been called to preach.  So many messages being heralded; however the prophetic message has declared “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”  The church needs to examine what it is preaching and come back to it’s true calling.  Preach the gospel of peace, the glad tidings of good things!

1 Thessalonians 5:23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

He is the God of peace who will sanctify completely your whole spirit, soul, and body.   He who has called you is faithful, he will do it.  Let the object of your faith ever be Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Ephesians 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  14  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,  16  and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.  17  And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.  18  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 

False doctrines and traditions of men tell us how far off God is from us.  However, the word declares those who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.  Jesus Christ Himself is our peace.  God is not mad at you believer friend; the enmity that separated you was abolished.  The law of commandments contained in ordinances have been nailed to the cross.  That which stood between God and man, Jesus nailed to the cross putting to death the enmity.  We have peace with God and have access to the Father; we are invited to come boldly into His throne room.

Philippians 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  7  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit works through us and works in us greater when we come with thanksgiving.  Peace is magnified when one comes to God with a grateful heart.  When we come  to God with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving we can then make our request made know unto God.  Divine order is so important.  When we come God’s way the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.  Christian without peace need to come back into the divine order; God’s word will not fail to bring peace.

John 16:33  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Your peace is based upon the accomplishment of Jesus Christ.  He has overcome the world.  Indeed Jesus has made us over comers.  We can get through the tribulation with the peace Jesus has afforded us.

John 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The eternal promise is the Father and Jesus will make their abode with the one who has surrendered to the love He has loved us with.

Colossians 3:14  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.  15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Put on love… it is the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of God rule in your heart.  The most common way God leads His children is through His peace ruling and reigning in our hearts.  We have been called to let His peace reign in our hearts with unity and thankfulness.  Let peace reign!

The Fruit of the Spirit - 2 Joy

The joy of the Lord is something God desires for His children to know and walk in.

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Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

The fruit of the Spirit has all the characteristics listed in this passage.  This week the fruit of the Spirit is joy!  The source that causes fruit to bear and mature is the root.  Jesus is the root; abiding in Christ makes the branch fruitful. 

1 Corinthians 6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,  10  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Keeping the fruit of the Spirit in context is important.  In Galatians 5 it is the works of the flesh are… then the fruit of the Spirit is…  There are four parallel passage that list the works of the flesh last week we read Galatians 5 list.  This week its 1 Corinthians 6.  When the works of the flesh are listed it is made clear, those who do these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  People who make claims to live for Jesus and continue in an ungodly lifestyle fool themselves; don’t be deceived they will not inherit the kingdom of God.  Where the works of the flesh are listed the next truth comes out “and such were some of you.”   Those who are born again are not any of those things; you are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:24  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  This is a principle of grace that is often misunderstood.  When a man comes to Jesus he dies to himself and the sinful nature he was born with.  He becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit; indeed this is a command of grace.  Now that God has made you a new creation walk in it!

JOY:

G5479. chara, khar-ah'; from G5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy (-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

Romans 14:17  for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

The substance and reality of the kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  God has an intent for His children.  That they live in the joy of the Holy Spirit

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  4  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  5  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  6  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  7  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,  8  whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,  9  receiving the end of your faith; the salvation of your souls.

What is source of the joy?  The Father has begotten us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The source of joy is come from the work of the living God.  We indeed have an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and cannot fade away, reserved for us!  IN THIS YOU GREATLY REJOICE!  The greatness of your Savior is joy inexpressible and full of glory.  An old song says “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory”.    Rejoice and you will receive the end result of your faith the salvation of your soul.  You have a spirit to Spirit connection to God at the point of salvation, when you renew your soul with this truth you will experience the joy God intends.

Acts 8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.  6  And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  7  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.  8  And there was great joy in that city.

The source of joy remains the same today as it was for the city of Samaria; the preaching of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It time for the church to come and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Isaiah 12:2  Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.'“  3  Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.  4  And in that day you will say: "Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.

Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  Trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord is the way to make a withdraw from the well of salvation.  Jesus says come and drink; the result is the joy of the Lord.  Praise the Lord put it in your mouth!

John 15:10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.  11  "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Abide in His love.  Jesus loves us as the Father loved Him.  The Father’s heart is revealed!  His desire is for us to remain in the joy of Jesus and live our lives full of that joy!

Psalms 16:11  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

The Father has desire for you to be in His presence; He has made the way into His very presence by Jesus our forerunner.  In His presence is fullness of joy; you are invited to come boldly into His throne room of grace.

James 1:2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  4  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The fruit of the Spirit will bring you through the good and the bad!  Count it joy when you fall into various trials?  It is not we are looking for and crying out to God for the trials; however in the midst of the trial we can rejoice that the God of our salvation is on our side and will bring us through.  We can rejoice because the trial will produce patience; and patience will have it perfect work.  What is the perfect work?  Read it, “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  Rejoice in the Lord, the trial, the rejoicing in the middle of the trial, then the outcome, the lacking nothing.  This is the good news of the gospel.

Hebrews 12:2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus having seen the completed work of the Father and was able to endure the cross.  Who for the joy set before Him…  We are called to walk in His joy.

Romans 15:10  And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!“  11  And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!“  12  And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.“  13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice and praise the Lord!  Laud Him, declare His goodness in the midst of the trial.  The God of hope will fill you with ALL JOY and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit!  The joy of the Lord is our strength.