Recognized by Our Fruit

03/09/24 – 03/22/24

A Higher Law

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  03/10/24

It is easy to view the fruit of the Spirit as part of a nice Sunday school lesson. We read through Paul’s words in Galatians and think he’s writing about how to live the Christian life and relate to others.

This is true, but there is another profound purpose for the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. When trials and difficulties come, God’s Spirit gives us the tools to deal properly with pain, discomfort, sorrow, and suffering: the fruit of the Spirit.

If God’s fruit has not matured in our lives, however, we will face even more problems. For example, when the fruit of the Spirit is not mature in us, we will fail to love the way Christ loves us.

We will still be abrupt, harsh, or unforgiving even though we know that God calls us, and even commands us, to love others the way He loves us. In fact, we are to love and have a sense of joy and peace within our lives so much so that others want the same for their lives. We are also to be patient because God is patient with us, and we are to be kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Each of these reflects the true nature of God and His grace toward us.

Refuse to take Satan’s bait by becoming angry, frustrated, or bitter over life’s blows. Instead, seek to display God’s fruit of the Spirit by asking God to empower you to lay self aside and submit to His will. He will surely bless you in such a purpose.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me so well. I give You the areas of my life where I have failed to love others because of frustration or selfishness. Cleanse my heart daily, that I may freely give grace to others as You do. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).