FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15
Isaiah 44:2-6
Galatians 5:22-25

Enoch walked with God;
God took him.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (II)

The fruit of the Spirit is sweet, wholesome and delightful. Believers who produce the fruit of the Spirit glorify the Master. Galatians 5:22-23 enumerates nine of the graces which together form the fruit of the Spirit. These nine may be divided into three groups:

(a) love, joy, peace: our Godward graces,
(b) longsuffering, gentleness, goodness: our manward graces,
(c) faith (fidelity), meekness, temperance: our inward graces.

Love flows from God, for God is love. It is God’s love in us that moves us to love Him and our fellowmen. Joy arises from reconciliation with God, communion with Christ, service to God and in the hope of Heaven. Peace comes from the knowledge of sins forgiven, debts cancelled, guilt removed and conscience at rest. Longsuffering is patient forbearance when provoked or injured, not aggressive or fault-finding. Gentleness refers to a kind and tender disposition. Goodness is to seek the benefit of others without thought of reward. Faith, fidelity or faithfulness means being trustworthy, honest and keeping to one’s word. Meekness implies self-abasement and genuine humility. Temperance is moderation and self-control.

“The Fruit of the Spirit is an affectionate, lovable disposition, a radiant spirit and a cheerful temper, a tranquil mind and a quiet manner, a forbearing patience in provoking circumstances and with trying people, a sympathetic insight and tactful helpfulness, generous judgment and a big souled charity, loyalty and reliableness under all circumstances, humility that forgets self in the joy of others, in all things self-mastered and self-controlled…. It is not by striving, but by abiding; not by worrying, but by trusting; not of works, but of faith” (S. Chadwick).

But we have also a responsibility to cherish and cultivate our graces, and to reject everything which opposes or hinders them. Keep out the weeds; only then can we bring forth fruit in season.

THOUGHT: I need the illumination and teaching of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: Lord, please illumine me and teach me Thy Truth.