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The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Love
Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 22, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: The Fruit of the Spirit is love
March 3rd Gal. 5:22,23
Theme - The fruit of the Spirit is love; joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control are its by-products.
What are the ways that people misunderstand the nature of the fruit of the Spirit? A person’s wealth does not depend so much on what he has as on what he can without. The fruit of Spirit allows a person freedom from dependence on the works of the flesh. Paul tells us that He gives the fruit in a singular not plural form. Love is the crowning virtue of a Spirit controlled believer. Love is an unselfish concern that seeks anothers’ good. It is the true expression of the Spirit that lives within each believer. God is love. Those who do not love, do not know God. When one loves through the power of the Spirit, joy will follow. Joy is the deep satisfaction gained through His will. Peace is given to those love, resting in the Spirit. Patience is an expression of love’s endurance. Kindness is shown through those who love with an understanding of God’s considerations to weaknesses. Goodness is the quality of a sterling character softened by love. Love endures all types of suffering without losing control of one’s emotions. The wealthiest man is the most spiritually fruitful. Spiritual fruit abides forever, riches fly away with time. The fruit of the Spirit gives one a many-sided virtuous character. Do not be content to blessed by the Spirit, produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
Question - What are the ways that we can determine if we are deficient in the fruit of the Spirit?
Prayer - Lord, help us to abide in you so your Spirit can produce much fruit through us.