“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25
It would be wonderful if when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour, we were suddenly transformed into the vessel He desired us to be. But this is not the way it happens. We are human and will make many mistakes. As we let the Holy Spirit work in our lives, we begin to change our thoughts and our attitudes towards the Lord and others.
Jesus repeatedly taught His disciples that the greatest commandment was to love God, and the second was to love one another. Is it any wonder that the first fruit mentioned is love? As we grow in our love for the Lord, we begin to show love to others. This results in joy and peace as we live in harmony with those around us.
The more we love the Lord, the more patient and long-suffering we are with people. We become gentle and kind in everything we do. Jesus has forgiven us so much, that we are willing to forgive others.
As our faith in Jesus grows, we realize that we are nothing in ourselves, and seek to manifest the meek and quiet spirit that He showed while here on earth. We desire to walk in holiness before Him, forsaking anything that would draw us away from His presence.
In John 15:5 Jesus said: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your work in our lives, showing us how we need to change to bear good fruit. May the world see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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