Galatians 5: 22-26
“Fruit” is singular, not plural.
The fruit is all unified
All of the fruit is manifested in our life from the Holy Spirit.
The fruit is not ours, but God’s.
Contrasting the fruit with the works of the flesh
Works speak of toil and effort
Fruit grows as the new nature comes from Jesus Christ
2 Corinthians 5:17 - new nature comes from Jesus Christ
Paul compares a Spirit-led life to fruit
How is fruit produced?
All of the elements that produce real fruit (sun, fertile soil, water), come from God
Fruit is produced from a tree/vine that is living.
Numbers 17 - Aaron’s rod budded and it also yielded almonds. (God is the source of life).
Psalms 1:3 - A blessed man is like a tree, planted, fruitful, and prosperous, yielded to God.
Psalms 92:12-15 - The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, to show that God is upright.
John 15:1-5 - Jesus Christ is the vine, the life. God cares for it. Plants it in fertile soil, waters it. There is a season for harvest.
Fruit is not produced by human effort
It comes from the life of Christ living in you
It is born from trials
Looking at the Fruit of the Spirit:
1. Our Vertical Relationship
a. love - a self-sacrificing, Calvary love. This Divine love always seeks reconciliation. A giving love.
b. Joy - Expectation comes with joy. Psalms 30:5 - Expect joy in the morning. Look forward to it after a terrible night. Luke 2:10 - The angels proclaim great joy which SHALL be to all people. Looking ahead and expecting this joy. Hebrews 12 - Jesus Christ looked beyond the cross to see me. His expectation caused Him joy.
c. Peace - bound together.