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NASB | Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, |
Bible Question:
Fruit vs Works: are they the same thing? Jesus said, in regards to bearing fruit, we can do nothing outside of Him (John 15:5). He says we must abide in Him. In verse 9, He says if we abide in His love we will keep His commandments. While doing a study today of John 15:5 and surrounding text, I realized I was trying to equate fruit with works. Is this an incorrect assumption? Are they two separate things? I'd greatly appreciate any Scripture showing that they are either equal or two separate things. In Christ, Karen |
Bible Answer: I do see some close correlation between fruits of the Spirit, fruit of our vine being connected to the Branch of our Lord and the works or acts of Christianity as discussed in James 2. It seems from the verses as given in the Bible that the fruits are reflective of our spiritual personality. We see some christians who are more talented in showing their fruits than others. Thus, some are better at showing patience or others may find it easier to be loving or kind. Some of these fruits are also inter-related but we should strive to add them all to our spiritual person and upon adding them, strive to improve them and grow in our spiritual relationship with our Lord. This results in a better, well armed christian to ward off sin in our life. Now as to works or acts of Christianity, the fruits of the spirit help support those works. When we're truly kind and loving to our fellow man, then we can show those acts of kindness with genuineness and Agape type love. The wonderful thing about working in the Lord's vineyard in this way has a receprical return as the Lord told us it would. Acts of Christianity has a way of spreading the love and enthusiasm in His Name, all to His Glory. We experenice growth both spiritually and numerically. We see our fellow christians round about us grow and mature in their relationship. They help us grow as we help them. We talk about our weaknesses and exchange them for each other's strengths. Thus the body of our Lord grows all the more. So you see, all of this is very closely intertwined as it should be. But I would also add that our Lord does expect to see some of the evidence of Christianity both in our lives now and on Judgment Day after living a faithful live. Rev 2:10. Blessings to you. Country Girl |