“But when the Holy Spirit controls, our lives will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.”

God’s living word reminds us that the real fruits of the Spirit are not works, but defining characteristics of one within whom the Holy Spirit not only resides but also is in true relationship. The Spirit will only express the life of Christ through us in proportion to our surrender to Him. Many attempt to substitute works and service for the Spirit-filled life. When we do, we lower the fruit-standard to the work-standard. The fruit of someone’s life, not his works, is what tells us about that person’s spiritual condition.

OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME. PLEASE HELP EACH OF US TRULY COME TO UNDERSTAND AND EMBRACE THE SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE THOU HAS MADE AVAILABLE TO US ALL.THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, I PRAY. AMEN.

– Shared by “In Touch” Magazine and Chet Dickson