But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
The capital letter “S” used for “Spirit” in the verse above is quite misleading to the original meaning of that verse. Many have thought that because it’s a capital “S”, then Paul must be talking about the Spirit. But that couldn’t possibly be, because the Holy Spirit doesn’t bear fruits. There is nowhere in the scriptures that suggests that he does. The opening verse actually refers to the recreated human spirit; the spirit that is born again.
Recall the words of Jesus in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches…” The branches are the fruit-bearing part of a tree. Jesus didn’t say, “I am the vine and the Holy Ghost is the branch. No, he said “you”, referring to the believing ones: we’re the fruit-bearing part of the vine. When Jesus uttered those words, he conveyed a deep spiritual truth showing us that, first, we have the same life as he does. Second, we have the same name. This is indicative of a life of ever-increasing glory, as you keep bearing fruits. Halleluiah!
The master also said in John15:16, “ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” This isn’t talking about a one-off experience, but a life of limitless possibilities and unending productivity. God isn’t interested in you just producing fruits, but that your fruits continually increase. Just as the farmer prunes his trees in order to harvest more fruits, so also the Lord prunes His body that it may bear more fruits (John 15:2).
Confession
I’m a member of the body of Christ, of his flesh and of his bones. I’m manifesting the fruits of the new creation life. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance are products of my recreated human spirit. I live out the life of righteousness in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Further study: Ephesians 4:22-24; John 15:1-5
One-year bible reading plan – Acts 21:37-22:1-21; Job 32-35
Two-year bible reading plan – Galatians 3:23-29; Isaiah 33