Kindness and other fruits

Dear Triumpher,

Have you ever grown a garden or tended to a plant before? If you have then you must know the discipline and diligence it takes but more so the joy that comes when it bears fruits and flourishes! Just as every garden or plant needs pruning, weeding and any other work required to help it grow, we also have a responsibility to do the same if we want to see growth and express the fruit of the Spirit.

We who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, not by our strength, but through the Spirit working in us as we walk with Him. 

A fruit of the Spirit that every believer must express is the Love of God. Just like every plant needs to receive sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to grow, the more we recognize and experience His love personally, the more we are empowered (and expected) to extend the same to others.  As you yield to the Holy Spirit and walk closely with Him, you will find yourself empowered to love like Jesus.

Another fruit that every believer should express is joy! Joy is more than a feeling, it is a nature and its source is the Holy Spirit. It is not fleeting because its source is from One who is constant. Regardless of your current situation, you can and should walk in joy because you have the Spirit of God (1 Thessalonians 1:6). 

We also have Peace as one of the fruits of the Spirit. Peace is beyond a calm situation, we also know that it is a person—Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace who has given us eternal peace with God (Isaiah 9:6; Ephesians 2:14).

For the rest of the world, peace depends on stability and ease, but God keeps the believer in perfect peace even in the midst of storms because we are anchored in Him (Isaiah 26:3).

Patience is a Christ-like expression we get by the working of the Holy Spirit in us. Patience is one of the identifying marks of a believer. Jesus, our perfect example, always showed us the example of patience we should also portray. By spending time in prayer and practicing being quick to listen and slow to speak, you will find it easier to walk in patience. (James 1:19)

Dear Triumpher, the strength or will of man cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit in any man. The fruit of the Spirit finds expression in us as we surrender to the working of the Spirit. 

Spend time in prayer and study the word. Be intentional about doing these things and in due time, you will begin to experience progress and joy in the faith.

See you next week! 

Tim.