Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
I’ve never seen this until today. Never heard it taught until I saw it below in the lesson summary by Dr. Stone. Allow me to state, and then expand the thought. Dr. Stone observes that there are three groups of fruit of the Spirit. I have never heard this taught, but it is clearly in line with scripture. The nine gifts of the Spirit break out into three groups of three: They see, something, say something and do something. In the case of the fruit of the Spirit, there appears to be a similar pattern: three groups of three. Let’s take a closer look.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
Romans 5:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
Luke 7:47
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
The fruit of redemption:
Love, Joy, Peace: these first three are literally first fruit. When you are freed from the bondage and torment of sin, these three are most likely to be the result: the love of God is shed abroad in our heart, peace and joy begin to redefine our character. In essence, they show something. They reveal images of the Kingdom in you and through you.
Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Galatians 5:13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another
Fruit of service:
The next group of three does something: they minister. Patience, kindness, goodness; these all come to fore as we reach out to others, first, our brothers and sisters in Christ, then to the lost who would have no hope unless someone showed them the way. This group will be important, in that without them, who would put up with you? Spiritual gifts not tempered with spiritual fruit is like sounding brass or tinkling cymbals.
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Luke 7:47
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
The fruit of worship:
The third group emphasizes this point: Faithfulness, gentleness, self control exemplify someone who is walking in the shadow of the Almighty. They exemplify the growth of worship in the heart of the believer; fruit borne out of an attitude of gratitude and reverence. As we come to a place of worship, our spirits are renewed and we find more love, joy and peace flowing from our hearts, kind of a never ending cycle. To worship is to enter into the very splendor and glory that is the throne room of Heaven.
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
May you be fruitful!
Selah
.wb
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