Fruits of the Spirit Part 1: Introduction – By Their Fruit You Shall Know Them

The world is a very competitive place and children are taught from the earliest of ages that performance will bring life’s rewards.  It has been an age old axiom that every person needs to protect their reputation.  Although society has become much more fast paced as technology continues to explode in advancement; personal interaction also continues to be something that demands character development.  From standards on a little league team, to placement in college and the work force; no one can ignore that character, especially high moral character of loyalty and trustworthiness; is something to possess, value and protect.  By our fruit, in the area of character development, or lack thereof; we are known.

If character is of such high regard and value in this short physical life of maybe 100 years; why should it surprise anyone; that Almighty God would scrutinize our moral fiber rewarding us with an eternal position in  the Kingdom of Heaven  Could Jesus Christ be any more clear than to say, “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” In a clear analogy of the “tree,” representing each individual human life?

Matthew 7:16-20 KJV  “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

Ultimately, every person will have to give an account of their own life before God.  We will all have to bear our own burden, bear or own sin.  Sometimes in this world, it seems that evil wins out over good; but we only see through human eyes and it is not over at death.  It is over when God says it is over and God will not be mocked.  Evil will receive it’s just penalty and righteousness it’s just reward.

Galatians 6:4-8 KJV  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  (5)  For every man shall bear his own burden.  (6)  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  (7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  (8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

All will be judged and stand alone at the White Throne Judgment.  Physical death of the flesh is not the final act of our existence.  Every soul will be resurrected to judgment.  All graves and even the sea will give up the death

Revelation 20:11-15 KJV  (11)  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The fruit of our lives will be individually judged.  Are we bearing fruit of Christ and the Holy Spirit; or are we bearing fruit of the Devil and his evil world?  We are talking about heaven and hell issues here.  When it all comes to the bottom line; it is all a heaven or hell issue.

Galations 5:22-23 identifies nine fruits of the Spirit; nine characteristics of the Holy Ghost living in a Christian’s life.  Dr. Cyrus I. Scofield divided them into three categories of character:

1.     Character As An Inward State
Love, Joy, Peace

2.     Character In Expression Toward Man
Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness  

3.     Character In Expression Toward God
Faith, Meekness, Temperance

Over the next nine days, we are going to look at each of these fruits of the Holy Ghost, fruits of the Spirit of God.  When we embrace these fruits of God’s own character, He will change our heart and mind; preparing us for an eternal position in His Kingdom forever to be present with Christ our Lord.

Prayer:  Father in Heaven, I know that I can not embrace your character by myself.  You have created me flesh, so that I can be perfected by your truth living inside of me through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.  Fill me with the Holy Ghost.  Transform my carnal thoughts into the heart and mind of God.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.