In our third week of discussing the Holy Spirit we set our attention on Galatians 5:22-23, “the fruit of the Holy Spirit”. Paul uses the word “fruit” here, I believe to show us that these attributes are not things that we work for or attain by our effort, but they are characteristics that the living Spirit of God, dwelling within us, has planted seeds for. The most amazing part of this realization is that each one of these “seeds” is planted, living inside of me, being prepared and waiting to become harvest of fruit.
Jesus said in John 15, the the two things necessary to bring forth fruit are for us to abide in Him and for Him to abide in us. His part of abiding is already accomplished for those that have put their faith in Jesus and received the Holy Spirit, so how do we abide in Jesus? I don’t believe there is a simple formula, but I believe that abiding in Him is found in our relationship with Him, our belief in the Spirit that lives within us and our willingness to be more than just Spirit-filled, but to be Spirit-led.
Finally, in this message we quickly go through the “fruit of the Spirit”. What do these words truly mean? What do they look like when they are being manifested in and through our lives and what do they do for our community of faith and then for the communities that we live in. I believe that “the fruit of the Spirit” is the glue that takes us from being “many members” to being “one body”. “The fruit of the Spirit” creates unity, generosity, freedom, forgiveness, boldness and courage. As Paul wrote later in Galatians 5, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” I believe that Spirit-led lives will lead us to an abundance of fruit, may we listen closely, pray always and obey the Spirit as He leads so that He can bring forth a 100-fold harvest in our lives.