Galatians 5:22-26
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another," Galatians 5:22-26. Let us get into part two of this message.
We are to be faithful and fruitful and rejoicing in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "Joy" in this verse means to rejoice; joy, rejoicing, gladness. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full," John 15:11. Romans 8:28-39 assures us that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Christ. Knowing this truth produces joy. "The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ's love is continual feast." Matthew Henry. "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice," Philippians 4:4. "The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing," Zephaniah 3:17. The Christian is joyous knowing that no matter what happens on this earth, he is secure in Christ Jesus.
The Christian is also in a state of peace, and this peace passeth all understanding. We trust in God's Sovereignty in all things all the time. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world," John 16:33. Even though this world is against us, we rest in Jesus Christ. Turn to II Timothy 1:7-12. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution," II Timothy 3:12. Right teaching will make us strong in the faith. How great it is knowing and believing what the Scriptures teach. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," Philippians 4:7.
The Christian is also longsuffering. This means forbearance, long-suffering, patient endurance when others attack or make our lives difficult. We are patient with people because Christ was patient with people even when they attacked Him. "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls," I Peter 2:18-25. At one time we were producing the exact opposite of longsuffering, but now we live peaceable with all men. What a great difference in how we respond to people.
The Christian is also gentle. This means the Christian is kind. It is the grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing all which would be harsh and austere. The word is descriptive of one's disposition. This means the Christian is also approachable. Others know they can go to him, and he will point them to the Scriptures. When you see someone who is mean spirited and hates others because of the color of their skin or because of their nationality, you really have to question if they are truly saved or not. If this is their lifestyle, then according to these Scriptures, they are not truly saved no matter how much knowledge they have of the Scriptures. The self-righteous people hated Christ, but sinners would be found coming to Him. Christ was stern when He needed to be, but was also gentle when He was supposed to be.
The Christian is also overflowing with goodness. This means beneficence; acts of charity. This flows out of you by the person and power of the Holy Spirit. You put the needs of others before your own. You love in deed and in truth. Turn to I John 3:11-19.
The Christian is a person of faith. In this verse faith means good faith, faithfulness, sincerity. Turn to I Timothy 1:17-20. Some shipwreck their faith by being unfaithful and doubting what the Scriptures teach us. First and foremost, we are faithful to the Lord, the Scriptures, the Lord's church, and to mankind by sharing the gospel.
The Christian is also meek. "Meekness" in this verse is gentleness; (by implication) humility; - meekness; not easily provoked; power under control. We see this with the life of Jesus Christ. Christ was never intimidated by others, or by things.
The Christian is also temperance. This means he has self-control (especially continuance):- temperance. Especially self-restraint of the fleshly desires, "works of the flesh"; verses 19-21. The Christian is known for restraining the desires of the flesh.
There is no law from God to condemn, limit, or punish the fruits of the Spirit. This is in direct contrast with the works of the flesh. You cannot have too much of the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are evidences that Christ has saved you. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new," II Corinthians 5:17. Turn to I Corinthians 6:9-11; "And such were some of you."
It is wonderful to have the assurance from the word of God that Christ has saved you. We are told to examine ourselves by the Scriptures to make sure we are in the faith. So, we examine ourselves by the Scriptures to see what kind of evidences we are producing. Please understand that the bible is speaking about our lifestyles. We understand that we all sin in thought, word, and deed every day, but what we are looking for is a consistent lifestyle. All of us are maturing in the faith, and we do this at different rates. So do not look at others, but instead look at yourself through the Scriptures. Maybe even ask someone who will tell you the truth to examine you by the Scriptures. We are thankful for the fruits of the Spirit. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
