The Fruit of the Spirit - Part Two

Ephesians 5:1-10 “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 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. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 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. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”

The conditions of the sinful nature (the ungodly desires of the flesh) and the conditions of the fruit produced by walking in the Spirit of God are heart conditions. If the light of the Holy Spirit, through the repentant and regenerated heart of the born-again Believer by the atoning and redeeming death of Jesus for our sins, the resurrection of Christ defeating sin & the power of death, and the ascension of the Savior to the right hand of God in Heaven to intercede for the Saints, to judge, rule and reign as Lord of all, where the fruit of every heart, could you imagine the wonderful world that God’s green Earth would be? Not tolerating sinful and ungodly behavior, but crucifying them to live in the true Spirit. Let’s continue now with the list of the “Fruit of the Spirit” and see the blessings from God.

Faithfulness – keeping faith; maintaining trustworthy allegiance marked by a loyal sense of duty and responsibility – full of faith and true to your word and God. Joshua 24:14-15 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Psalm 100:4-5 "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” The faithfulness of God.

Gentleness – having been brought under the subjection of the Lord, connotes a new natural disposition of being mild, docile, polite, refined, serene, soft and soothing; taming the old nature. Philippians 4:4-6 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” 1 Timothy 6:10-12 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Peter 3:13-16 “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” The gentleness of God.

Self-control – control of one’s emotions, desires, and actions; oneself and one’s passions.
Proverbs 25:28 “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2 Peter 1:3-7 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

The passage comes to this godly conclusion: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Our Creator God, our Maker, our Heavenly Father, in his loving mercy & grace, sent Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Savior, to take the penalty and pay the price for our sins with His innocent blood, taking our place on that cross to buy our forgiveness, restore our right relationship with God, free us from bondage, condemnation and eternal damnation, to citizenship and eternal life in Heaven with Him. Shall we not live for our Lord and Savior? By rebirth in the Spirit, shall we walk in the Spirit? May we nail the sinful nature and flesh desires to the cross and follow the fruitful life discipleship and serving Jesus. May this message be a light to those in darkness.

2 Corinthians 6:2-10 “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” Living and walking in the Spirit; alive in Christ!

In Christ, Brian