Being a Christian is not just limited to attending church or reading the Bible. True Christianity goes beyond that. It is more of a state of being reflected in one's character and actions. This is where the fruits of the Spirit come in as an integral part of a Christian's life. In this blog post, we will dive deep into these fruits and how they reveal true Christianity in a person's life.
The fruits of the Spirit are found in Galatians 5:22-23, which states, "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." These fruits reflect the character of God, and as Christians, we are expected to manifest them in our lives.
Love is the first fruit and the greatest of them all. It is the selfless act of caring for others without expecting anything. Joy follows, the feeling of contentment and happiness from knowing Christ. Peace is the third fruit, the inner calm and tranquility of trusting God.
Forbearance or patience is the fourth fruit that enables us to wait on God's timing and exercise tolerance towards others. Kindness comes next, which is the act of showing compassion and concern towards others. Goodness is the sixth fruit that reflects the goodness of God in our actions, whether big or small.
Faithfulness is the seventh fruit that enables us to remain steadfast in our beliefs and not falter in adversity. Gentleness follows, which is being considerate and humble towards others. Finally, self-control is the tenth fruit that helps us control our impulses and desires, enabling us to live a disciplined life.
In conclusion, the fruits of the Spirit are crucial to the Christian life as they reflect true Christianity in a person's character and actions. These fruits are necessary to claim to be a faithful follower of Christ. As we strive to grow in these fruits, it is worth remembering that God produces them through the Holy Spirit. We only need to be willing vessels and let Christ work in us. May we always be reflections of Christ, bearing fruits of the Spirit in our daily lives.