Fruit Inventory, Part 1 of 3

On most Saturdays in the fall, especially in the South, there is no doubt as to which college football team a person supports. We don’t try to hide our allegiance from anybody, even when we’re in what might be considered enemy territory. Whether or not I’m actually at a game, I’ll be decked out in my school colors, from shirt to cap to jacket, whatever I can find. I want everyone who sees me to know where my allegiance lies.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, says that Christians should live in such a way that everybody knows where our allegiance lies. People should be able to look at us and see that we are followers of Christ. Not because we’re wearing a cross necklace or have on a “What Would Jesus Do?” t-shirt. People should be able to recognize us as Christians because of the way we live:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Christians should be producing what Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to be in control, when we submit to his leadership in our lives, he will produce this fruit in us, one fruit that has nine characteristics. 

Remember that producing this fruit is not something we do. The fruit is simply something that the Holy Spirit produces within us if we allow him to. This isn’t a to-do list, but it’s what we should look like to everyone around us. 

So what exactly is the fruit of the Spirit?

The first characteristic Paul mentions is love. I’ve discussed love in two previous blog posts, here and here. I think Paul mentions love first because it provides the foundation for all the others. The other eight characteristics flow out of this one. It’s also a commandment given to us by Jesus:

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Jesus says that we are to be characterized by love. People should be able to know we are Christians because of our love. We should be known for our love of other people, people who are like us and unlike us, people who agree with us and who don’t agree with us, people who love us back and people who hate us. 

If you need a quick reminder of what love is, read 1 Corinthians 13. Love is a characteristic of the Christian life that is only possible because of God’s love for us. But because God loves us, we can love others. Ephesians 5:2 says that we are to “walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” Our natural reaction should be to love others so much that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves the way that Jesus sacrificed himself for us.

When people look at you, do they see love?

The next characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit is joy. Joy is a gladness or happiness that is not based on our circumstances. Since we know that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28), we can have joy even when things aren’t going well. 

That’s why James says we are to “count it all joy…when you meet trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). We can have joy in our hearts no matter what we’re facing because we know that God has already defeated sin and darkness. We can have joy because we know that God loves us and always wants what’s best for us, even if things don’t make sense and we can’t understand. 

When things are going well and when life is not so great, when people look at you, do they see joy?

Third, Paul mentions the characteristic of peace. I’ve mentioned peace here. 

One definition of peace that I read recently is “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation…and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.” Just like joy, peace doesn’t depend on circumstances. Peace is there even when something we’re counting on doesn’t happen. Peace is there even when something we’re afraid might happen does happen. Peace is resting on the fact that we belong to God, and we know that he will hold on to us no matter what we face. 

Jesus promised us his peace: 

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Paul told us how to find peace: 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Be honest, when people look at you do they see peace?

The first three characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, and peace. How are you doing so far?

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