A Sure Pathway To Living An Overcoming Christian Life.
Bible Passages – Matthew 7:15-23 | Luke 3:1-9 | Galatians 5:16-23 | Revelations 1:7b, 11b, 17b | Revelations 21:8 | Matthew 7:15-23 – Key Verse – 18.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Luke 3:1-9 | Galatians 5:16-23 | Key Verses – 22-23 | Revelations 2:7b; 11b; 17b
PURPOSE OF STUDY
It is apparent from the scriptures that it is not just those who hear the Word of God shall be blessed but those who hear and do them. It is also very clear that the Lord is interested in seeing the work of salvation help us live in the spirit and not in the flesh. We also understand that the Lord’s purpose is to be perfect and holy as He is.
Yes, we can work miracles and do so many other things but if we are not like sheep, a child as we live our life of relationship with and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit – all amount to works of unrighteousness and iniquities.
The question and quest to live in the Spirit and by the Spirit which are manifested in being like Jesus adjudged by the fruit of the Spirit then becomestoo important to be neglected nor taken for granted. The above therefore are the reason and reasons for our new series of study in the fruit of the Spirit.
INTRODUCTION
No fruit comes to be or grow except the farmer has a vision, makes a decision, with great determination, and is intentional with work. The process of farming suggests that there is a plan, a land, a clearing, making of ridges, a planting or sow, a watching, weeding, watering, mercy and benevolence of God for good weather and land to yield increase, and great expectation.
The purpose of farming is to have harvests which are made up of fruits in order to live physically, financially and otherwise, take care of a number of other things. In the same token when a man becomes born again he gains the power to be fruitful in holiness and begin to live a perfect life unto God in the process of time.
He also losses intentionally, by decision and the power of the Holy Spirit, the power to sin, continue to live in iniquity and unrighteousness. A born-again child of God has created a state of warfare directly and indirectly. This shall be his/her pattern of living. It is outside his/her control. Ephesians 4:22 | 2 Timothy 2:22 | James 4:1 | 1 Peter 4:2. The joy however is that he or she is in warfare from a position of victory in Christ Jesus – Romans 8:37.
WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ?
We shall consider Ten Ways To Understand – living in the fruit of the Spirit Consider these Bible Passages – John 1:12-13 | Galatians 5:22-25 | John 1:14 | John 1:12-13.
THE TEN WAYS/DEFINITIONS TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
1. It is living the life of Christ. Galatians 2:20
2. It is living in the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8
3. It is being led, guided and directed by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit working upon your life as a farmer and you are the land bringing forth fruit and harvests. Romans 8:14 | Luke 3:9 | Luke 8:5.
4. It is submission and complete obedience to God. James 4:7.
5. It is living holy and not in sin. 1 Peter 1:15
6. It is the opposite of living in the flesh. Galatians 5:16
7. It is living according to the Word of God. Colossians 3:16
8. It is living as a resemblance and representative of Jesus. Matthew 10:25a
9. It is completely pleasing the Lord. Colossians 1:10.
10. It is living as a citizen of heaven here on earth. Hebrews 11:16
WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?
Galatians 5:19-21 | 1 John 2:15-17 | Romans 1:18-23 | Romans 1:29:32
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
CONCLUSION
However, the mercies and the steadfast love of God do not fail but calling all to repentance and received grace and power to life in the spirit to bring forth godly fruit of repentance and holy living. John 3:16-17.
Luke 4:18-19
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
