but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… [galatians 5:22]
galatians 5 is full of lists. for organized, visual people, these lists are fantastic. easy to read, understand, categorize and… check off. instead of rushing through this list to check the boxes (spoiler alert: we can’t), let’s rest in how these fruits of the Spirit are reflected in the character of the Holy Trinity:
love – “in this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” [1 john 4:10]
joy – “… who for the joy set before him (Jesus) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” [hebrews 12:2]
peace – “for to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” [isaiah 9:6, emphasis added]
patience – at the wedding at cana:
“when the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘they have no wine.’ and Jesus said to her, ‘woman, what does this have to do with me? my hour has not yet come.’” [john 2:3-4]
{Jesus knew how to wait. he could have come into earth as this powerful military force, doing whatever he pleased. however, he chose to wait for God’s timing to reveal himself.}
kindness – at the scene where judas comes to help arrest Jesus:
“and one of them (disciples) struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. but Jesus said, ‘no more of this!’ and he touched his ear and healed him.” [luke 22:50-51]
goodness – “oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” [1 chronicles 16:34]
faithfulness – in the garden of gethsemane, Jesus prays:
“…Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. remove this cup from me. yet not what i will, but what you will.” [mark 14:36]
it is written regarding the crucifixion:
“when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘it is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” [john 19:30]
{Jesus’ prayer was not answered in the way he initially desired, but he was faithful to follow God’s will anyway, to our benefit.}
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it’s important to note that we are not called to manufacture these fruits. these are not “fruits of the christian.” these are fruits of the Spirit alone. Jesus graciously lifts that burden off of us in john 15:
“as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” [john 15:4]
Father God, more of you, and less of me. thank you from freeing me from the act of making something good into a weight for myself to carry. Holy Spirit, thank you for faithfully dwelling in me and changing me to look more like Christ. teach me to abide. i surrender myself to you; please continue to mold me into a reflection of Christ to show my neighbors. remind me of how you purely live out these fruits and draw me to worship you today, tomorrow, and forevermore. amen.
~ jm