Fresh fruit
I truly enjoy the variety of fruits that are available during the summer months. Grapes, berries, apples, bananas, peaches, plums, pears, kiwis, bananas, watermelon, mangos to name just a few. The colors and smells of the produce aisle or farm stand are so inviting. Paul talks about fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. The kind of fruit that should be evident in our lives no matter the season.
Paul contrasts two lives – one lead by the sinful nature and one lead by the Spirit. He gives us two lists. Galatians 5:19 -21 and the other in Galatians 5:22-23. I have included the Message and the NIV translation. Both translations show such stark contrasts.
“It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. “Galatians 5:19 -21 The Message
“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” Galatians 5:22-23 The Message
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 NIV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
I found this beautiful explanation of the fruit of the Spirit by Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Joy is love’s strength.
Peace is love’s security.
Patience (forbearance) is love’s endurance.
Kindness is love’s conduct.
Goodness is love’s character.
Faithfulness is love’s confidence.
Gentleness is love’s humility.
Self-control is love’s victory.
Lord, thank you for the yummy fruit that fills my belly but thank you even more for your Spirit that fills my life.
I love fruit too! In fact I eat it everyday, you’ve reminded me today that each day I eat it to remind myself of the fruits of the Spirit that need to pour out of me for the day. Blessings.
I have never read the passages in the Message version. Really gets the point across. Thank you for sharing.