Fruit of the Spirit
There are two ways to know if someone is truly a follower of Christ
The first one is physical:
Water Baptism
It is the only physical evidence that we can give to confirm that we are Christ followers. It is the only physical evidence that Christ requires of us
The second one is spiritual:
The qualities and characteristics produced in our lives that show evidence of the spirit of Christ is in us
The spiritual fruit of our existence
The bible calls it the fruit of the spirit
Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
The common explanation of this is that there are nine characteristics of one fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
What if the verse read this way?
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives love: joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
When it was first written it had no punctuation marks. Later writers added the colon
There is a good argument to say that love is the fruit and it has eight qualities.
Enough theology!
Over the next weeks we are going to talk about the fruit called love and its eight qualities
And it will be done through story.
The Quest of George
This is the verse that sets up today’s story
James 5:7-8 meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Masters arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.
The message
Summary
People of patience value perseverance, right timing and controlling anger
People of patience are people of justice and mercy