July 6, 2016 – Galatians 5:22-23

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 5:22-23We treasure the taste of fruit here on earth, crisp apples, a ripe cherry picked straight from the tree.  So is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  This fruit ripens when our faith  in God matures and is perfected in us.  This fruit is not what we can see with earthy eyes, but we see with our inward hearts.These qualities are only possible in our everyday living when we walk with Jesus, keeping in step with the Spirit.  These characteristics of a mature spiritual being comes when we allow the Holy Spirit to live within us.  Have you ever simply read these verses aloud, repeating them daily?  At first, they seem to be impossible. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”  Matthew 19:26How easy it is to stray by becoming conceited or arrogant.  Or by provoking one another, or the sin of envy of others. The beginning of keeping in step with the Spirit, is ‘loving one another’.  And the last is ‘self-control’ — controlling our impulses, our tongues and behaviors.  None of these characteristics can be found in us unless we give ourselves wholly to Jesus and allowing Him to be our Guide each moment of each day!The Fruit of the Spirit is not a list of rules to follow outwardly, but the attitude of our hearts when we truly know Jesus.  When we love like Jesus and learn to look on the heart and trust Him no matter what, we will find peace and joy.  Our patience with others grows kindness, goodness and gentleness in our hearts.  Our faithfulness becomes a given.If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:25-26