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Author: Laura Coyle, from the Charis Community in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Fruits of the Spirit - Day 1

In the letter to the Galatians Paul writes, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Fruits grow. They are seen and their seeds can be planted and grow new fruit. Take an apple for example. It grows on an apple tree, it gets harvested when ripe for eating, and its seeds are replanted. Fruit is consumed, it’s tasty, it’s good for you, and it adds flavour to a simple salad or dessert. There’s a law of nature and a science around it. But it’s got a limited purpose.

The fruits of the Spirit, however, are unlimited. There is nothing to stop them from doing what they are intended to do. Well then… what are they intended to do? They are intended to bring to full blossom the Kingdom of God. Through us! 

What a privilege that we, mere humans, are given the seeds of wisdom, courage, knowledge, right judgement, reverence, wonder, awe and understanding. What a privilege that these seeds blossom in our lives through work of the Holy Spirit, for all to see and to give witness to the goodness and generosity of our God. 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. May we open our ears and hearts to the promptings of the Holy Spirit to unlock these within us, so that the fruits of the Spirit might grow in our lives. Fruits, in which there is nothing to be said to stop them from doing what they are intended to do.

Scripture quotations from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright © 1973 1978 1984 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.