Bearing Fruit
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Bearing Fruit
Bearing Fruit
I have a peach, pear and apple tree in my back yard. They have produced little or no fruit. Shall I cut them down? Give them another year? Do nothing? What should I do?
And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.
“And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’
“And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;
and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’ ”
Bearing fruit is part of our responsibility as believers. If we are not bearing fruit, what are we here for?
Key Text:
Key Text:
Bearing fruit is part of our responsibility as believers. If we are not bearing fruit, what are we here for?
“An apple tree becomes an apple tree as a gift from God, but it proves it’s an apple tree by making apples” Keith Green “No compromise” page 251
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so.
God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
Josephus reports a massive golden vine decorated Israel’s temple during the New Testament period, hanging over the columns at the entrance to the sanctuary (Josephus, Antiquities 15.11.3; Mishnah, Middot, 3.8; Tacitus, Histories 5.5). The grapes on this vine were as tall as a person (Josephus, Jewish War 5.5.3) (The Lexham Bible Dictionary.)
It is a possibly that Jesus was looking at this - perhaps at a distance - when he spoke of the vine to his disciples in
The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.Key Text:
Jesus’ last supper was over and he was giving his disciples some last instructions before his death
- Jesus predicts his betrayal
- Jesus comforts his disciples and tells them of the Holy Spirit that He will ask the Father to send to be there Helper and Comfortor
- Jesus comforts his disciples and tells them of the Holy Spirit that He will ask the Father to send to be there Helper and Comfortor
John 15 - Jesus tells of the importance of abiding in Him so the Holy Spirit can do His work through the disciples
- Jesus gives information about the convicting work of the Holy spirit and how He will operate
- Jesus’ high priestly prayer
- Jesus leaves for Gethsemane
(READ )
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Some thoughts about vinyards
Some thoughts about vinyards
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Tyndale Bible Dictionary Vines, Vineyard
VINES, VINEYARD Plants cultivated for the production of grapes, raisins, and wine. The grapevine is mentioned frequently in Scripture both in a literal and a figurative sense. Probably originating in the Ararat region (Gn 9:20), the vine was also cultivated in ancient Egypt, where tomb murals depict the wine-making process. The Canaanites provided wine for Abraham (14:18), and Moses described the vineyards in the Promised Land (Dt 6:11). Excellent grapes from the valleys and plains (Nm 13:20, 24; Jgs 14:5; 15:5) provided fruit and wine to enhance the bland diet of the Hebrews. Wine was traded extensively in the late monarchy (cf. Ez 27:18), as well as in the Greek and Roman periods. For the Hebrews, an ideal picture of life was a sedentary one in which a man could remain peacefully in one place, cultivating his plot of land, and sitting under his vine (1 Kgs 4:25).
Vineyard - probably originated in Ararat region () - first mentioned was negative yet God works with the bad to make good
For Hebrews, the ideal picture of life was a sedentary one in which a man could remain peacefully in one place, cultivating his plot of land, and sitting under his vine () - picture of the believer’s life
The vines were planted in rows within the enclosed area, and as the plants grew, the tendrils were trained along supports to the fruit-bearing branches off the ground (Ez 17:6) - Believers are groomed and trained in the ways of the Lord to be produce fruit
Vines were pruned and tended by the vinedressers - Just like our heavenly Father
At harvest time grapes were taken to the winepresses - we will go through tribulation
A festive atmosphere accompanied the treading of the grapes (; ) and fermenting juice was collected in new goatskin bags () or large pottery jars - Judgement seat of Christ
People working in the grape harvest were exempted from military service - We do not fight, the Lord fights for us
Nonproductive vines were used for producing charcoal (Ez 15:4; )
Tyndale Bible Dictionary Vines, Vineyard
The typical vineyard was surrounded by a protective hedge or fence, and at harvesttime a watchtower was manned to guard the crop from thieves (Jb 24:18; Is 1:8; Mk 12:1). The vines were planted in rows within the enclosed area, and as the plants grew, the tendrils were trained along supports to raise the fruit-bearing branches off the ground (Ez 17:6). The vines were pruned and tended by vinedressers (Lv 25:3; Is 61:5; Jl 3:10; Jn 15:2). At harvesttime the mature fruit was picked and taken to the winepresses (Hos 9:2). A festive atmosphere accompanied the treading of the grapes (Is 16:10; Jer 25:30), and the fermenting juice was collected in new goatskin bags (Mt 9:17) or large pottery jars.
People working in the grape harvest were exempted from military service, which attests to its importance. Taxes and debts were often discharged by payments of wine, and the law provided for the poor to glean in the vineyards as in the wheat fields (Lv 19:9–10). Nonproductive vines were used for producing charcoal (Ez 15:4; Jn 15:6).
Tyndale Bible dictionary
(There is another story of a vine owner found in )
I. The necessity of bearing fruit (1-3)
I. The necessity of bearing fruit (1-3)
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Who is the vinedresser” The heavenly Father
He prunes, he dresses, he destroys the useless branches
Jesus is the vine.
Who is the vine? Jesus
The vine is the symbol of Israel - God’s chosen people.
The vine is the symbol of Israel - God’s chosen people.
Jesus was chosen by God the Father to be the vine we can get strength from
“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.
No fruit can be produced without his nourishment
Who is the branch? The belivers
“Every branch” not just some!
“Every branch” not just some!
What does “in Me” speaks of? Our relationship with Jesus
Branches “in Me” speaks of our relationship with Jesus
What happens if you don’t bear fruit? He takes you away.
Who? The Father
What happens if you bear fruit? The Father prunes so it will bear more fruit
Pruning can be painful and hard, but is necessary
Jesus wants to make you more fruitful and if he sees some he will prune you to make it better
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
You are clean because of the Word (faith in Christ) therefore the ground is ready to produce fruit
(Judas Iscariot had already left at this time)
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
What does Abide mean? - to dwell, to continue a certain state, condition or activity
Who produces fruit? We do
How is it produced? By abiding
Who was Jesus giving to help us (context) - the Holy Spirit
II. The procedure of bearing fruit (4-7)
“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Without Jesus you can do nothing. you cannot bear fruit but with Jesus you will bear not some fruit but much fruit
Without Jesus you can do nothing. you cannot bear fruit
What is the difference between worldly fruit and Godly fruit?
Example: Love
The world offers philia (brotherly love), eros (erotic love)
God gives us Agape love - The essence of agape love is goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of love. (gotquestions.org) Even to the point of being walked all over on. (For God so loved the world…)
What is fruitfulness? The manifestation of the Holy Spirit in us through the abiding of Christ in our lives.
“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.
no abide, no fruit, withered and burned. It takes a little time but the lack of fruit will be evident
Burned - tuned into charcoal
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.
Matt
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
What must abide in you? The Word of God must abide us
Then you can ask what you will
Walk in the spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
The Father is glorified. How? by bearing much fruit! So shall you prove to be Jesus’ disciple.
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This is agape love
III. The purpose of bearing fruit (9-11)
“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
What compels us to bear fruit? - Christs’ love compels us
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;
-Love covers a multitude of sins
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
-Love covers a multitude of sins
-Love is commanded of Jesus
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Why should we bear fruit?
-Love is commanded of Jesus
Love God
Love your neighbor
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.
Daniel
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
The only way to keep God’s commandments is to abide in God’s love
Our faith and dependency must be on Jesus and His finished work completely
Requires:
Humility - realizing your unworthyness
Submission -humble or compliant behavior
Dependency - reliable and trustworthy
Trust - to have absolute belief in someone
24
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
What are the commandments we must keep?
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
12-1
(Just like John 3:16)
So that God’s joy will remain (meaning it could be lost) in you
So that your joy might be full
IV. The Description of the fruit (:22-23)
he Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit
THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LOVE (agapē) love is the love of the mind, of the reason, of the will. It is the love that goes so far...
(Taken from POSB)
KJV
THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LOVE (agapē love is the love of the mind, of the reason, of the will. It is the love that goes so far...
that it loves regardless of feelings—whether a person feels like loving or not.
that it loves a person even if the person does not deserve to be loved.
that it actually loves the person who is utterly unworthy of being loved.
Note four significant points about agapē love.
a. Selfless or agapē love is the love of God, the very love possessed by God Himself. It is the love demonstrated in the cross of Christ.
It is the love of God for the ungodly.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" ().
It is the love of God for unworthy sinners.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" ().
It is the love of God for undeserving enemies.
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" ().
b. Selfless or agapē PWS: 2428 love is a gift of God. It can be experienced only if a person knows God personally—only if a person has received the love of God, that is, Christ Jesus, into his heart and life. Agapē love has to be shed abroad (poured out, flooded, spread about) by the Spirit of God within the heart of a person.
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" ().
c. Selfless or agapē love is the greatest thing in all of life according to the Lord Jesus Christ.
"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" ().
d. Selfless or agapē PWS: 2428 love is the greatest possession and gift in human life according to the Scripture ().
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" ().
2. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF JOY (CHARA): an inner gladness; a deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. (See note, Joy— for full discussion.)
SEVERAL THINGS NEED TO BE SAID ABOUT THE BELIEVER'S JOY.
1. Joy is divine. It is possessed and given only by God. Its roots are not in earthly or material things or cheap triumphs. It is the joy of the Holy Spirit, a joy based in the Lord. It is His very own joy (; ; ; ; ).
2. Joy does not depend on circumstances or happiness. Happiness depends upon happenings, but the joy that God implants in the believer's heart overrides all, even the matters of life and death (; ; ).
3. Joy springs from faith (; ; ; cp. ).
4. Joy of future reward makes and keeps the believer faithful (, ; ; ).
THE SOURCE OF THE BELIEVER'S JOY IS SEVERALFOLD.
1. The fellowship of the Father and His Son brings joy ().
2. Victory over sin, death, and hell brings joy (; ).
3. Repentance brings joy (, ).
4. The hope of glory brings joy (; ; ).
5. The Lord's Word—the revelations, commandments, and promises which He made—brings joy ().
6. The commandments of Christ and the will of God bring joy. Obeying and doing a good job stirs joy within the believer's heart (; ; ).
7. Prayer brings joy ().
8. The presence and fellowship of believers brings joy ().
9. Converts bring joy (; ; ).
10. Hearing that others walk in the truth brings joy ().
11. Giving brings joy (; ). The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit
Pt 2
(Taken from POSB)
KJV
THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LOVE (agapē love is the love of the mind, of the reason, of the will. It is the love that goes so far...
that it loves regardless of feelings—whether a person feels like loving or not.
that it loves a person even if the person does not deserve to be loved.
that it actually loves the person who is utterly unworthy of being loved.
2. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF JOY (CHARA): an inner gladness; a deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior.
3. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF PEACE (EIRĒNĒ): it means to bind together, to join, to weave together. It means that a person is bound, woven and joined together with himself and with God and others.
The Hebrew word is shalom. It means freedom from trouble and much more. It means experiencing the highest good, enjoying the very best possible, possessing all the inner good possible. It means wholeness and soundness. It means prosperity in the widest sense, especially prosperity in the spiritual sense of having a soul that blossoms and flourishes.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
a. There is the peace of the world. This is a peace of escapism, of avoiding trouble, of refusing to face things, of unreality. It is a peace that is sought through pleasure, satisfaction, contentment, the absence of trouble, positive thinking, or the denial of problems.
b. There is the peace of Christ and of God.
The peace of God is, first, a bosom peace, a peace deep within. It is a tranquility of mind, a composure, and a restfulness that is undisturbed by circumstances and situations. It is more than feelings—even more than attitude and thought.
The peace of God is, second, the peace of conquest (cp. ). It is the peace that is independent of conditions and environment; the peace which no sorrow, danger, suffering, or experience can take away.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" ().
The peace of God is, third, the peace of assurance (cp. ). It is the peace of unquestionable confidence; the peace with a sure knowledge that one's life is in the hands of God and that all things will work out for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" ().
The peace of God is, fourth, the peace of intimacy with God (cp. ). It is the peace of the highest good. It is the peace that settles the mind, strengthens the will, and establishes the heart.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
c. There is the source of peace.
Peace is always born out of reconciliation. Its source is found only in the reconciliation wrought by Jesus Christ. Peace always has to do with personal relationships: a man's relationship to himself, to God, and to his fellow men.
A man must be bound, woven, and joined together with himself in order to have peace.
A man must be bound, woven, and joined together with God in order to have peace.
A man must be bound, woven, and joined together with his fellow man to have peace.
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one [both Jew and Gentile, all men], and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" ().
"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled" ().
4. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia ): patience, bearing and suffering a long time, perseverance, being constant, stedfast, and enduring. Long-suffering never gives in; it is never broken no matter what attacks it.
Pressure and hard work may fall upon us, but the Spirit of God helps us suffer long under it all.
Disease or accident or old age may afflict us, but the Spirit of God helps us to suffer long under it.
Discouragement and disappointment may attack us, but the Spirit of God helps us to suffer long under it.
Men may do us wrong, abuse, slander, and injure us; but the Spirit of God helps us to suffer long under it all.
TWO SIGNIFICANT THINGS NEED TO BE NOTED ABOUT LONGSUFFERING.
a. Longsuffering never strikes back. Common sense tells us that a person who is attacked by others could strike back and retaliate. But the Christian believer is given the power of longsuffering—the power to suffer the situation or person for a long, long time.
b. Longsuffering is one of the great traits of God. As pointed out in this verse, it is a fruit of God's very own Spirit, a fruit that is to be in the life of the believer.
God and Christ are long-suffering toward sinners.
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" ().
God saves believers so that they may be examples of longsuffering.
"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting" ().
God withholds His judgment from the world because He is longsuffering, waiting for more and more to be saved.
"For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off" ().
William Barclay says that if God had been a man, He would have long ago wiped man off the face of the earth because of his terrible disobedience (The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians, p.56). But God loves and cares for man; therefore, God is longsuffering toward man. God is suffering a long, long time with man, allowing more and more men to be saved.
"Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness" ().
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" ().
Pt 3
(Taken from POSB)
KJV
that it loves regardless of feelings—whether a person feels like loving or not.
THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LOVE (agapē love is the love of the mind, of the reason, of the will. It is the love that goes so far...
that it loves regardless of feelings—whether a person feels like loving or not.
that it loves a person even if the person does not deserve to be loved.
that it actually loves the person who is utterly unworthy of being loved.
that it loves a person even if the person does not deserve to be loved.
2. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF JOY (CHARA): an inner gladness; a deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. (See note, Joy— for full discussion.)
3. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF PEACE (EIRĒNĒ): it means to bind together, to join, to weave together. It means that a person is bound, woven and joined together with himself and with God and others.
4. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia ): patience, bearing and suffering a long time, perseverance, being constant, stedfast, and enduring. Long-suffering never gives in; it is never broken no matter what attacks it.
5. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF GENTLENESS (chrēstotēs ): it is being kind and good, useful and helpful, gentle and sweet, considerate and gracious through all situations no matter the circumstances. A person who is gentle does not act...
that it actually loves the person who is utterly unworthy of being loved.
hard
indifferent
harsh
unconcerned
too busy
2. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF JOY (CHARA): an inner gladness; a deep seated pleasure. It is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. (See note, Joy— for full discussion.)
bitter
Gentleness cares for the feelings of others and feels with them. It experiences the full depth of sympathy and empathy. It shows care and gets right into the situation with a person. Gentleness suffers with those who suffer, and struggles with those who struggle, and works with those who work.
God is kind.
"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil" ().
3. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF PEACE (EIRĒNĒ): it means to bind together, to join, to weave together. It means that a person is bound, woven and joined together with himself and with God and others.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" ().
Believers are to be kind to one another.
"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another" ().
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" ().
4. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF LONGSUFFERING (makrothumia ): patience, bearing and suffering a long time, perseverance, being constant, stedfast, and enduring. Long-suffering never gives in; it is never broken no matter what attacks it.
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering" ().
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity " ().
6. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF GOODNESS (agathōsunē ): it is being full of virtue and excellence, kindness and helpfulness, peace and consideration. It means that a person is full of all good and he does all good. It means...
that he has a good heart and good behavior.
that he is good and does good.
5.THERE IS THE FRUIT OF GENTLENESS (chrēstotēs ): it is being kind and good, useful and helpful, gentle and sweet, considerate and gracious through all situations no matter the circumstances.
that he is a quality person.
Note that a good person lives and treats everyone just as they should be treated. He does not take advantage of any person nor does he stand by and let others take advantage. He stands up and lives for what is right and good and just. This means that goodness involves discipline and rebuke, correction and instruction as well as love and care, peace and conciliation. A good person will not give license to evil, will not let evil run rampant. He will not allow evil to indulge itself and treat others unjustly. He will not allow others to suffer evil. Goodness steps forward and does what it can to stop and control evil.
"And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another" ().
God is full of goodness.
6. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF GOODNESS (agathōsunē ): it is being full of virtue and excellence, kindness and helpfulness, peace and consideration. It means that a person is full of all good and he does all good.
"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" ().
"Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power" ().
"He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the lord" ().
"O taste and see that the lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" ().
7. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF FAITH OR FAITHFULNESS (pistis ): it means to be faithful and trustworthy; to be loyal and stedfast in devotion and allegiance. It means to be constant, staunch, and enduring. A faithful person denies and sacrifices himself—all he is and has—and trusts God. He believes God and knows that God will work all things out for good. Therefore, he casts himself totally upon God and becomes faithful to God.
"And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me" ().
Believers are to be full of all goodness.
"And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another" ().
"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" ().
8. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF MEEKNESS (prautēs ): it means to be gentle, tender, humble, mild, considerate, but strongly so. Meekness has the strength to control and discipline, and it does so at the right time.
Faithfulness does not doubt God—not His salvation, provision, or strength to help.
Faithfulness does not begin with God then back off and give up.
Faithfulness does not walk with God then give in to the lusts of the flesh.
Faithfulness begins with God and continues with God. Faithfulness continues on and on; it never slackens or surrenders.
God is faithful.
"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord" ().
"Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" ().
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" ().
"Blessed be the Lord, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant" ().
"I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations" ().
Believers are to be faithful.
"And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities" ().
"Moreover it is required in stewards [believers], that a man be found faithful" ().
"And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after" ().
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine" ().
8. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF MEEKNESS (prautēs ): it means to be gentle, tender, humble, mild, considerate, but strongly so. Meekness has the strength to control and discipline, and it does so at the right time.
9. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF TEMPERANCE (egkrateia ): to master and control the body or the flesh with all of its lusts. It means self-control, the master of desire, appetite and passion, especially sensual urges and cravings. It means to be strong and controlled and restrained. It means to stand against the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life ().
b. Meekness has a strong state of mind. It looks at situations and wants justice and right to be done. It is not a weak mind that ignores and neglects evil and wrong-doing, abuse and suffering.
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
If someone is suffering, meekness steps in and does what it can to help.
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
If evil is being done, meekness does what it can to stop and correct it.
If evil is running rampant and indulging itself, meekness actually strikes out in anger. However, note a crucial point: the anger is always at the right time and against the right thing.
c. Meekness has strong self-control. The meek person controls his spirit and mind. He controls the lusts of his flesh. He does not give way to ill-temper, retaliation, passion, indulgence, or license. The meek person dies to himself, to what his flesh would like to do, and he does the right thing—exactly what God wants done.
In summary, the meek man walks in a humble, tender, but strong state of mind; he denies himself, giving utmost consideration to others. He shows a control and righteous anger against injustice and evil. A meek man forgets and lives for others because of what Christ has done for him.
Jesus Christ was meek.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" ().
Believers are to be meek.
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" ().
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" ().
"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth" ().
"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men" ().
"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls" ().
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation [behavior] his works with meekness of wisdom" ().
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" ().
9. THERE IS THE FRUIT OF TEMPERANCE (egkrateia ): to master and control the body or the flesh with all of its lusts. It means self-control, the master of desire, appetite and passion, especially sensual urges and cravings. It means to be strong and controlled and restrained. It means to stand against the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life ().
… but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
The believer is to proclaim self-control to the lost.
"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee" ().
The believer is to control his sexual desires.
"But if they cannot contain [control], let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn" ().
The believer is to strenuously exercise self-control, just as an athlete controls himself.
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" ().
The believer is to grow in self-control.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
The aged believer is especially to be on guard to control himself.
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience" ().
In concluding our discussion we should remember that the fruit of the Spirit is the very nature of God (; ). The believer is to walk in the Spirit; that is, he is to walk in such a consciousness of God and in such open confession that he is kept constantly clean from sin. God keeps him clean and pure and acceptable as though he were perfect. As the believer so walks in such an awareness of God, he assimilates the very nature of God and the Holy Spirit's fruit is produced.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.