(A) Last week we looked at the first cluster of fruit that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in our lives — Love, Joy, and Peace. From these foundational fruits, we see the next cluster.
(B) The second cluster of fruits produced by the Holy Spirit … Longsuffering, Kindness, and Goodness. Galatians 5:22
1. Longsuffering – Some translations use the word patience. In Greek, this is a compound word that means “far from anger.” People with this fruit do not exhibit a spirit of retaliation. It shows that the believer is following God’s plan and timetable rather than their own. They are not insistent on having their own way. This is not easy in our fast-paced, self-seeking world. Patience is desperately needed but doesn’t seem to be in high demand. It is a quality that cannot be worked up. It must be produced by the Holy Spirit.
2. Kindness – Means showing goodness, generosity, and sympathy toward others. This too is an attribute of our God. In Romans 2:4 we read “Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance, and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
In Ephesians 2:7 Paul wrote, “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
This verse reveals to us why God has loved us so lavishly. It was so that we would marvel for all eternity about His kindness toward us that we are to demonstrate to others in His name.
In Proverbs 11:17 we read “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
Paul, in Ephesians 4:32, wrote, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” In Zachariah 7:9 we read “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.’”
(Illustration – “How would you like me to rearrange your face?”)
3. Next, Paul introduces the fruit of Goodness.
In Acts 10:38 we read that Jesus “went about doing good; “The whole verse reads like this — “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.’
· Are you a believer?
· Are you trusting in God?
· The Holy Spirit is with you.
· Each of us, as we are relying on the indwelling Holy Spirit should go about doing good to others, because God is with us.
Maybe before Christ, we were impatient, now we have the ability to suffer long.
Before we may have been self-centered, now we are able to show kindness to one another.
Whereas at one time we may have been seeking what we thought was best for us, now we are seen as going about and doing good toward others. Holy Spirit please develop this fruit in us.
Amen.
Pastor Leonard
