THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT - PART TWO -- Devotional for November 20, from "Good Seeds"

What happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity, a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, and able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Romans 12:6-8 lists the seven GIFTS of the Spirit. But the question arises, is God giving all these gifts to all His children? A quick glance at verse 4 answers the question: No, each member of the body of Christ has been gifted by God in a different way to do a different task. But now, does this same rule apply to the FRUITS of the Spirit? Again, no. Galatians 5 makes no provision for a division of labor in the attitudes of a Christian. It is not okay if I’m squared away in my love and joy, but a bit lacking in my peace and patience. In fact, if we are strong in all the fruits but one, God says it is as if we had none. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that even if they were perfect in their teaching and preaching, or even if God chose to do amazing miracles in their midst, if they were amiss in just the one trait of love, they would have missed the boat entirely of what Christian life is all about. And so, as we continue to examine the nine fruits of the Spirit, let us remember we can’t afford to come up short in any of them. The third fruit of the Spirit is PEACE. This word immediately brings to mind peace between nations. But international peace cannot happen apart from interpersonal peace. And peace between individuals will never be a reality without those individuals being at peace with themselves, with their circumstances, and with their God. And the word for this internal and spiritual peace is serenity. The fourth fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE. Enduring difficult people and circumstances is one aspect of patience, often called forbearance. The other is perseverance, or “stick-to-it-ive-ness.” No one likes a quitter, and that includes our Lord, who said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). And He practiced the patience He preached. Seeing what was ahead of Him, the road of suffering, leading to the cross of shame, what did He do? He “endured the cross, despising its shame” (Hebrews 12:2). In fact, every time He was confronted with the temptation to take a shortcut, or to quit altogether, He shot back at Satan with His Scripture gun! “Do your worst, vile snake, and watch God do His best!” These are not passive traits. This is spiced fruit. There’s power in peace and patience!