Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22 – 23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
Obtaining the Spirit
- Luke 11:13 “…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
- Jesus had spoken briefly concerning being “born of the Spirit” previously (John 3:5 – 8, 4:23 – 24)
- Prophets of old also had spoken of this concept (Joel 2:28, Isaiah 44:3, Ezekiel 39:29)
- By the time Luke wrote, teaching about the indwelling Spirit was well known.
- Acts 2:38 “Repent and let every one of you be baptized upon the essence of Jesus Christ into the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”
- The attractive force was the quality of Jesus (2 Peter 1:3), His name.
- Presumably, Jesus had entered the Tabernacle in heaven to complete is sacrifice by offering His own blood (Hebrews 9:11 – 15). So, redemption for the whole world (1 John 2:2) was complete, never to be repeated.
- Since remission had already been accomplished, this facet of baptism was to illustrate to God that one accepted the efficacy of the event and that the conscience was to be clear.
- Trusting God to this extent was to result in the “gift of the Holy Spirit.”
- Romans 8:9 – 11 “…if indeed the spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”
Other results of the Spirit that dwells in the faithful are given in other places.
- Puts to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13)
- Leads us (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18)
- Helps with our prayers (Romans 8:26 – 27)
- That we may abound in hope (Romans 15:13)
- Makes us consistent (Galatians 3:2 – 5)
- Strengthens the inner man (Ephesians 3:16)
- Renews (Titus 3:5 – 6)
- Enlightens (Hebrews 6:4 – 6)
- Makes the church a dwelling place for God (Ephesians 2:22)
- Seal of pledge (2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:5, Ephesians 1:13)
- Understanding (1 Corinthians 2:9 – 12, 2 Corinthians 3:18)
- And more.
Can We Work Against the Spirit?
- Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
- Endeavor to be filled full with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
- Pray to receive the Spirit (Luke 11:13)