Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16
The fruit of the Spirit is extremely powerful and valuable to … God. The work of the Holy Spirit to plant, nurture, and grow His fruit within us very important to God. I’m learning that there are deeper purposes God has for His fruit beyond just my own character development. God can utilize our obedience and faith to accomplish great things for … Him to others. God’s love points us to others. Patience has a purpose and reward. That fruit of patience brings repentance and salvation. Could my ability to utilize that fruit … see others come to the realization that Jesus is who He says He is?
Take the example of Paul and Silas in Acts chapter 16. Their ability to sing hymns and songs to the Lord after being beaten and thrown into jail and chains. Who was affected? The other prisoners? The jailer and his family? The fruit of patience is probably better translated ‘long suffering’. And not only that, but to suffer long for something that wasn’t your fault. This certainly was the case with Paul and Silas. And the result? Many came to know Jesus. Could the fruit of patience the Holy Spirit is nurturing in me – be more than just for me? Could it be when I activate that fruit – that others come to know who Jesus is? Especially when I am attempting to do those things He has given me to do?
This is what the Holy Spirit has had me pondering the last few days. God’s ways are SO much deeper and complex than we know. When I allow His fruit of the Spirit permeate my life – the rewards are beyond what we know. Some day we will know – as He reviews with us our obedience to Him in His Kingdom. Can I push into His fruit and dig deep to understand them? How do they work? What is their reward? What character flaws in me keep me from producing some of them? What do I need to clean out / repent of? Can I ask Him to plant His fruit deep within me … for His purposes and plan… beyond myself?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
There are nine listed here. Nine to be sought after. Nine to be prayed about and nurtured within us. All of us are given gifts by God. But our character must be shaped and built. Gifts without the character to carry them correctly can be dangerous for the individual and those around them. The Fruit of the Spirit are FOR our character and soul development. Which fruit of the Spirit is God trying to get you to learn and grow in?
Father … YOUR way is perfect. Jesus …YOU showed us what the fruit of Spirit looks like, thank you. Holy Spirit teach me the depths of YOUR fruit and what YOU want to do with them in me.
Which fruit of the Spirit is currently being tested in you?