What IS the “fruit” of a “13:23 Christian”?

 

Christian “fruit” is often thought of as “converts”.
Christian “fruit” is much more than that.

There are NINE “Fruits of the Spirit” (remember, “watering the corn patch”)

LOVE – Christian Love is not a feeling, but rather a lifestyle. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35) – We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14) – A commitment and a determination to treat others well, to put others before ourselves. WE KNOW HATRED WHEN WE SEE IT. LOVE IS AN OPPOSITE.

JOY – “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” – Rick Warren’s wife Kay (I think, might be Rick…) – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Nehemiah 8:10 – “the joy of the Lord is your strength”

PEACE – One definition is “Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.” – Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee. A TORNADO IS AN OPPOSITE OF PEACE

LONGSUFFERING – “The word longsuffering in the Bible is made up of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper”; literally, “long-tempered.” To be longsuffering, then, is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. Longsuffering is associated with mercy and hope. It does not surrender to circumstances or succumb to trial.” – Got Questions Ministries

GENTLENESS – “Sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior, founded on strength and prompted by love.” – biblestudytools.com

GOODNESS – “in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.” –biblestudytools.com

FAITH – In the listing of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, every modern translation renders the word that the KJV translates into “faith” as “faithfulness,” “fidelity” or “good faith.” – John W. Ritenbaugh – Dependable, Reliable, Sincere

MEEKNESS – “a calm temper of mind, not easily provoked” ( James 3:13 )

TEMPERANCE – “temperance has to do with the self-control of the mind, or will, and that all words and actions are also kept under control.”

REMEMBER – FRUIT COMES FROM A HEALTHY CORNSTALK!!!!! Trying to force an unhealthy cornstalk to bear fruit (corn) is a complete waste of effort!

IF A CORNSTALK IS HEALTHY, IT WILL BEAR “FRUIT”.

IF A CHRISTIAN IS HEALTHY, HE / SHE WILL BEAR FRUIT. – Fruit of the Spirit