TREASURY OF SERMONS
Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
By Rev (Dr) Jeffrey Khoo
Today there is a lot of stress on the work of
the Holy Spirit. The Charismatics talk a lot about the baptism or
slaying of the Spirit and the accompanying gifts like tongues
speaking, demon casting, prophesying, healing etc. There is however
hardly any serious teaching on the fruit of the Spirit. Rather than
focusing on the miraculous gifts of the Spirit which actually belong
only to the Apostles (2 Cor 12:12), we should pay more attention to
cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. So let us study
Gal 5:13-6:2 to find out what the fruit of the Spirit is all about.
Context
In order to better appreciate Gal 5:22-23, it is
important to read those verses in the light of its context. Verses
22-23 are sandwiched between the commandment of love given in 5:13
and 6:2. In those verses we are told to love one another. The fruit
of the Spirit must thus be seen in the light of God’s commandment to
love one another. The purpose for the fruit of the Spirit is not so
much personal (I have the fruit and it is mine), but relational (I
have the fruit for the sake of others). Paul here reminds Christians
of the need to love by serving others and bearing their burdens. But
how to do so? In the following ways:
Love
It is no surprise that love is mentioned first.
Love is the most important virtue. Paul has already said in 1 Cor
13—the classic love chapter—that though a man may be spiritually
gifted, may know the Scriptures and theology very well, may even
give a lot of money to the poor or to the church, but if he lacks
one thing most important, namely, love, he is a big zero. A person
may be able to speak in tongues, but if at home or at work, he is
unable to control his tongue and is vituperative, indulging in
name-calling, backbiting, backstabbing, complaining, gossiping etc,
he is a big zero. A person may be a pastor, or theological
professor, Bible study leader, Sunday School teacher, but if he puts
on an holier-than-thou air, he amounts to nothing. A man may be a
philanthropist, giving thousands or millions of dollars to charity
or to the church, but in so doing, he does it to show off or promote
himself, what is the use? He is a big zero. So if we have love, we
will always think of others—how we can help them, how we must guard
our words etc. The Law is fulfilled by Love (5:14, 6:2).
Joy
Joy is not just an emotion, it is also a virtue.
As a virtue it has power. It has the power to heal. Ps 57:22 says,
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." The virtue of joy heals
relationships. Joyfulness begets good and happy relationships. There
is really a difference between a man who perpetually wears a long,
black face, and one who manifests a happy disposition because of the
joy of the Lord in his heart. This person knows the meaning of life,
knows where his eternal destiny is, knows that God is in control of
everything, and in knowing all these things exudes that joy of the
Lord because He rests secure in the Lord’s loving hands. He is not
unduly worried in life. He is confident that God is taking care of
him.
Peace
When a relationship heals, it brings peace. No
longer do we see each other with an evil eye. There is no more
tension when in each other’s company. Normal, friendly conversation
resumes. No more grudges, no more telling others that this person is
your enemy. However, peace once gained must be sustained. How to
maintain a peaceful relationship with others? The following virtues
tell us how:
Longsuffering
Longsuffering here is patient endurance. It is
the super ability to withstand injustice done against us. God, for
example, is longsuffering toward us; He does not destroy sinners
immediately when they rebel against Him, but patiently waits for
them to repent. Peter was told by the Lord to forgive 70 x 7
times—that is longsuffering. Not micro-patience, but macro-patience.
Gentleness
This word may be translated "kindness."
Longsuffering has a more passive sense—we suffer in silence.
Gentleness or kindness has a more active sense—when wronged against,
we return the hurt with kindness; not tit for tat. You do not put
out fire with fire, but with water. Likewise fight evil with good. A
soft disposition will usually diffuse quarrels.
Goodness
This is moral excellence. This virtue compels
you to do things in the correct or straight way. You are not crooked
in your dealings with your clients. No under-the-table deals. Your
yes is yes, and no is no. You mean what you say, and say what you
mean. People trust you. You are honest.
Faith
This is faithfulness or loyalty. You are loyal
to those whom you have made a commitment. Especially for businessmen
who travel often; if they are married this faithfulness demands that
they do not keep a mistress abroad.
Meekness
The word has the idea of submissiveness. We are
teachable, humble and courteous. We are not aggressive. We do not
insist that everything must be done our way. When others disagree
with us, we do not bulldoze our way through, forcing them into
submission.
Temperance
This is self-control. It refers to the
discipline possessed by athletes. A whole lot of self-denial is
required if we want to live a Christlike life. You would not want
sinful desires to control you. You try hard with the Spirit’s help
at controlling your attitude and behavior so that they conform to
Christ’s.
Against such there
is no law
There is no law against doing good. As a matter
of fact, we are so wayward that we need laws to keep us on the right
track. So Singapore is called a "fine" country. There is this ugly
Singaporean in us. Laws have to be passed to discourage antisocial
behavior. Now, we hear a lot about becoming a gracious society.
Well, Christians should set the pace and the example with God’s
help.
Not all Christians manifest the fruit in its
fullness, but we should be showing signs that we are fruiting. As we
mature in our faith, we should be showing more and more of the fruit
of the Spirit. Let us continue cultivating!
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