The Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
A Path to True Transformation.
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Hey there! Today in our weekly study we’re diving into something called the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re a Christian or not, stick around – this stuff is pretty important for everyone to think about.
In the Bible, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit refers to nine amazing qualities:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control
Now, you might be thinking, “These sound great! I can work on developing these on my own, right?” Well, here’s the thing – while these qualities are awesome and universally appreciated, there’s more to the story.
The Christian Perspective.
Christians believe that truly developing these qualities isn’t something we can do just by trying really hard. You know like the “New Year’s Resolution” Why? Because we all have what the Bible calls a “corrupted nature.” Basically, this means that even when we try to do good things, our efforts often fall short or are mixed with selfish motives the Bible calls this “falling short” or if using an archery term “missing the mark.”
Think about it – have you ever tried to be patient but ended up snapping at someone anyway? Or tried to love someone but found yourself being judgmental instead? That’s our corrupted sinful nature at work.
This is where Jesus comes in. Christians believe that the only way to truly become a better version of ourselves is through a relationship with Jesus. It’s not about self-improvement; it’s about transformation. It’s about becoming someone entirely new again the Bible calls it being “born again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us this “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new.” What does “man is in Christ mean?” Simply it refers to a spiritual union that a believer has with Jesus as a result of their salvation
When we accept Jesus as our Saviour, something amazing happens. We receive forgiveness for all the ways we’ve messed up, but it doesn’t stop there. God gives us the Holy Spirit, who begins to work in our lives, producing these “fruits.”
This is crucial because it means these qualities aren’t just things we try to imitate. They become part of who we are. The Holy Spirit actually changes us from the inside out. If you want to think of it this way – Our hearts become like a fertile field and in it God plants seeds and these grow and are called the “Fruit of the Spirit.”
What about people who aren’t Christians Yet?
Now, you might be wondering, “What about people who aren’t Christians? Can’t they be kind or patient etc?” Absolutely! Many non-Christians display these qualities, and that’s awesome. But, without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, without “good seed” our efforts will always be limited, fall short, missing the mark and overall will never ever be pleasing or acceptable to God because they are tainted by the corruption mentioned earlier.
So, how does this transformation happen?
So, how does this transformation happen? It starts with recognising that we can’t be “good enough” on our own. We need God’s forgiveness and help. This realisation leads to repentance, which means – turning away from our old ways and towards God putting our trust in Jesus.
When we put our trust in Jesus, we’re not just getting a ticket to heaven. We’re starting a journey of becoming more like Him who in every conceivable way manifested to perfection all the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit begins, at that trust point, (mine was on 4th April 1968) when we give ourselves to Jesus and call upon Him to be our Saviour and to work in us, gradually producing these fruits in our lives.
This doesn’t mean Christians suddenly become perfect. Far from it! But it does mean we have help – supernatural help – in becoming more loving, joyful, peaceful, and all the rest.
God’s Call to Action.
For those of you who aren’t Christians right now, I encourage you to think about these qualities and how they might impact your life. And if you’re curious about how a relationship with Jesus could transform you, don’t be afraid to ask questions or explore further and contact us at – www.worldwidechristianministries.org – or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/c/AlbertMMartinWWCM – where there are many free to access resources.
For those who are Christians, remember that developing these fruits isn’t about striving harder. It’s about staying connected to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in you.
No matter where you’re at in your spiritual journey, here’s a challenge: – This week, pay attention to how these qualities show up (or don’t show up) in your life. If you’re a Christian, ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in these areas. If you’re not, consider how your life might be different if you had supernatural help in developing these qualities.
Remember, true transformation – becoming the best version of yourself (a new person) – isn’t about self-improvement techniques or positive thinking. It’s about a relationship with Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. That’s where real, lasting change comes from.
God Bless You in your Journey of Faith.
Albert
