Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22


The Holy Spirit ushered in new birth, according to Acts 2. A few followers of Christ, including eleven of the original twelve and the added one had a life changing encounter with the Holy Spirit. The experience gave life to the Christian church. The power of the Word brought in numerous converts on the same day from various cultures hearing in their own language. In one sweep thousands joined.

There are local churches today having similar accounts of church growth. The Word is preached and soul winning is accomplished. The church grows in thousands. Still there are those with very little growth in numerical count, yet small in membership they are experiencing spiritual growth. The hope of the mission of Christ has always been to win souls, so we cannot discount the importance of membership growth numerically or spiritually.

The great commission has to do with going to the uttermost parts of the world and making disciples of people, while baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In this view the mission is to win souls for the building of the Kingdom of God with numerous persons. We must never ignore the commission of bringing persons to Christ. The need and purpose of the church is for more than growth in number of persons, it has to deal with spiritual development. John 6:54-69 is clear on the fact that some who become disciples will reject the teachings of Christ, refusing the Eucharist, and complain in disbelief of the meaning of the Body of Christ. Still the Church is to be built on the confession of faith maintained by the faithful, who believe and know the Son of God.

The difference between leaving and staying is believing. And in believing living with authority given through the Holy Spirit. This authority is described by Paul as the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, alone, gives us the power to live in love. The only way to fulfill the will of God is to become love inspired, driven, and propelled. Without love, we are just religious people looking for physiological satisfaction to get our shout on - making noise. The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of love in joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Through the experience of the Holy Spirit we become strong, secure, patient, orderly in conduct, good in character, humble, and victorious.

Living in the Holy Spirit, we remain constant in moving forth in the will of God. We have no fear of the law, because we lay our all at the throne of God, so as to be filled with the love of God. Come and experience the life freeing gift of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, Son of God, feed us the fruit of the spirit. Amen.