The Fruit of the Spirit

What a contrast to the works of the flesh there is in the Spirit’s fruit! “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22‑23)). These are not called “works,” implying effort, but fruit, the natural result of life. The Holy Spirit is a living power in the Christian: Here we have the blessed and varied result of His operations. “Love” is God’s own nature and is rightly placed first. Everything else pales before this. It is that which will abide when not only prophecies, tongues and knowledge are no more, but when faith and hope have given place to sight and realization (1 Cor. 13:8-138Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13:8‑13)). “Joy” and “peace” follow naturally. As our souls abide in the divine nature, so we are happy and calm. Things that would otherwise disturb and ruffle our hearts pass by and leave us quite unmoved. Then long-suffering, gentleness and goodness in all our dealings with others fall into their blessed place. Turning inwards again, “faith [faithfulness], meekness and temperance” develop themselves, enabling us to walk trustfully with God, imparting that lowly brokenness of spirit which God values, and enables us to keep all our members well under control.
The Bible Treasury, Vol. N1 (adapted)