God And His Word - A Question And Answer Approach To Understanding The Bible

in John 15:1-8, 16. Compare Philippians 1:11- "Fruit of righteousness" (singular in Greek). Ephesians 5:9 - "Fruit of the Light" (R.V. Amp. New Testament and others). 5. HOW CAN WE PRODUCE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT? Someone has said that "It is not so much what we do FOR Christ that counts as much as what we do IN CHRIST." Paul shows us that the works of the flesh involve hard, grinding, fruitless toil, which yields in the end the wages of death. Fleshly endeavor, even when it is FOR Christ, cannot yield the fruit of the Spirit that comes by simply allowing the Spirit to move in and through us - like the sap of life in the vine bringing fruitfulness into the branches. We can affect the environment (just as a tree can be cultivated and pruned), but it is the Life within that brings forth the fruit. 6. HERE IS THE NINE-FOLD FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT THAT CHRIST DESIRES TO PRODUCE IN AND THROUGH US. Additional definitions will help clarify. A. LOVE - l Corinthians 13. B. JOY - Gladness (A). "In the Lord" (Philippians 4:4), not through circumstances. C. PEACE - Of God, which guards the believing heart (Philippians 4:7). D. LONGSUFFERING - Patience (A, W.), an even temper (A, B.), forbearance (A, W.), despite injuries or wrongs. E. GENTLENESS - Kindness (A, B, W, WM, RV); kindly disposition toward others. F. GOODNESS - Benevolence (A, WM); active beneficence (NBC). Note the life of Barnabas, Acts 11:24.

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