Untitled Sermon (5)
Holy Spirit: Fruit
Until a spirit from on high is poured out on us,
and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field,
and the fruitful field is deemed a forest.
Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
The effect of righteousness will be peace,
and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
(Is 32:15–17 NRSV;
The first place in the list, the place of emphasis, is given to love. Love is the focus of the entire ethical appeal: “serve one another in love” (v. 13). Love fulfills the law (v. 14); love is the expression of faith (v. 6). Love is demonstrated in a tangible way in the sacrificial love of Christ (2:20) and the service of Christians (5:13). All the other moral qualities in the list define and flow from love.
Joy is the result of healthy relationships. When relationships fall apart because of broken commitments, there is a loss of joy (see 4:15). When there is conflict and bitterness, as there was in the Galatian churches, there is no joy. But the first result of true love in relationships is the renewal of joy.
Peace is also the result of relationships built by loving service. Instead of “hatred, discord, … dissensions, factions” there is harmony and order in relationships.
Patience is the opposite of “fits of rage” or short temper. It is the quality of staying with people even when constantly wronged and irritated by them.
Kindness and goodness are joined with patience to teach that a sweet disposition and doing good toward people (see v. 10) is the way to stay with them in love.
Faithfulness is the quality of keeping commitments in relationships. The Galatians had proved to be fickle in their attitude toward Paul (4:13–16). Only the Spirit can produce the quality of loyalty no matter the cost.
Gentleness is the opposite of “selfish ambition.” Gentle people are not “conceited, provoking and envying each other” (v. 26). Gentleness is an expression of humility, considering the needs and hurts of others before one’s personal goals.
Self-control is the opposite of self-indulgence. Those who are Spirit-led will not indulge the sinful nature (v. 13). They are not characterized by “sexual immorality, … drunkenness, orgies.” They do not use other people to gratify their own appetites. They have the strength to say no to themselves, to the desires of their sinful nature.
In Paul’s ethical appeal this list of