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The Fruit Of The Spirit
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Galatians 5: 22-23 Ephesians 5: 9-10 2 Peter 1: 3-12 Matthew 5 Ephesians 6: 11-18 John 17 |
Fruit | Armor | Beatitudes | Commandments | Divine Nature | ||
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Galatians 5: 22 | Ephesians 6: 11-18 | Matthew 5 | Exodus 20 | 2 Peter 1: 3-12 | ||
Love, joy | - | - | All | Love | ||
- | Salvation | Helmet | - | - | Life | |
Moral | Righteousness | Breastplate | Righteousness | All | Moral excellence | |
Truth | Truth | Belt | - | Do not lie | Truth | |
Faithful | Faith | Shield | - | - | Diligent Faith | |
Goodness | - | Pure in heart | Adultery | Godliness | ||
Self control | - | - | Do not steal. Do not covet. | Self control | ||
Gentle, kind | Meek | Merciful | Brotherly kindness | |||
Peace | Peace | Shoes | Peace makers | Do not kill | Grace and peace | |
Patience | Perseverance, prayer | Alert | Persecuted | - | Perseverance | |
Learn what pleases God. (Knowledge) | Word of God | Sword | Salt of the earth Light of the world | The first four commandments | Knowledge |
Therefore, the fruit of the Spirit is our armor and protection against evil. They make us share the divine nature of God which is obedient to the laws of God.
The Better Way
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul calls these the better way - they are far superior to the spectacular gifts.
While the gifts will expire at the Second Coming, the Fruit will last forever.
The fruit are permanent changes in us that is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit.
While we may have only some of the gifts of the Spirit, we must have all of the fruit.
The development of the fruit is God's method of fulfilling the covenant by writing the law in our hearts.
These things are more important than the law. Why?
The law (Ten Commandments) is still in effect, but it is inadequate. It is written for sinners not for those who want to share God's nature.
If you notice the law, it is very limited. It is written in negative words.
They law can only tell you what you cannot do, it cannot tell you what you should do
because that list will never end.
If the law listed ten good things that people should do, then people could assume
that any other good thing is unnecessary.
Therefore, the law does not attempt to tell you what you can do.
That is why Jesus calls it the perfect law of liberty. You are free to do good!
The law can never describe the full dimension of good.
While the law can tell you not to steal, it does not tell you to give generously of what
you earned legally. It cannot legislate kindness.
It cannot put a quantity on kindness.
Yet, if a person lived only by the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law
He is guilty of breaking the law of Love.
The fruit of the Spirit is the moral and spiritual aspect of the law.
The Fruit And The Gifts
High Priest | ||
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Sacrifice |
Fruit Gifts | |
Justified | Fruitful | Useful |
Eternal Life |
The Sign To The World
Many people believe that the sign of the presence of God, and the sign of the Holy Spirit
are the miraculous gifts. Others focus on the gift of tongues.
But John 17 clearly states the only sign that God wants to show the world as proof of His love.
It is our love and unity. This happens only because of the mature fruit of the Spirit.
That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they may also be in Us,
so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know
that You sent Me, and loved them even as You loved Me.
(John 17: 21, 23)
The Fruit And The New Covenant
God promised a better covenant, built on better sacrifices.
A part of this better way is to write the law of God into our minds and hearts.
To take away the heart of stone.
To accomplish this He sent the Holy Spirit to teach us God's ways, to write the law in our hearts
and to make us obedient to God.
The result of this process is that we have the nature of God in the fruit of the Spirit.
By this Jesus magnifies the law.
Instead of abandoning the Ten Commandments, He shows how inadequate they are to describe the behavior of people who will live in heaven.
The Ten Commandments are designed for people who want to continually do evil.
It is the minimum standard.
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Study to show yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2: 15 | Time: 12 minutes Print: 3 pages |
Copyright
Updated : August 30, 2004
Credits: Author: Laverna Patterson. Editor: Patterson (January 2008) |