The Fruit of the Spirit is Longsuffering

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Longsuffering (makrothuméo) describes the believer as exhibiting patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs inflicted by others. It is the quality of a person who can avenge himself yet refrains from doing so. It is patience in respect to persons whereas another word often translated patience (hupomonḗ) describes one’s enduring attitude towards things or circumstances (Luke 8:15, 21:19; Romans 2:4, 5:3, 4).

The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

When God created the earth, it was a peaceful paradise. That peace was broken when Adam sinned. As a result of Adam’s fall, his posterity inherited a sin nature, the propensity for evil.

Since then, the generations that came failed to secure that most elusive “peace” which is the normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations or the world, a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations and the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community. This world has yet seen true peace. War characterizes all the history of mankind. There can be no true peace for mankind plagued by this inalienable disease of sin which the Apostle Paul calls “the works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21). Peace in the first family was broken, when Cain the elder son of Adam and Eve murdered his younger brother Abel (Gen. 4) because of uncontrolled anger.

The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Biblical joy is a cheerfulness, a calm delight and gladness in the heart of God’s children as the Holy Spirit’s fruit. It is the joy that comes with living a victorious Christian life according to God’s will. Jesus taught that obedience to God’s Word brings biblical joy in John 15:10-11 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

The Fruit of the Spirit is Love

(Galatians 5:22a)

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

The hallmark of a growing Christian is growing in love, biblical love! It is attested by an unfeigned, sacrificial love for our brethren.

Joy Amidst Trial (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Christians are to expect trials and tribulations. The Bible tells us in no uncertain terms that suffering is a normal part of a true Christian life (Behind a Frowning Providence, Murray, 12). It is the Christians’ response to trial and tribulation that authenticate the Christian’s faith.

When Christians exercise faith in God during trials, there is a joy which can subsist in the midst of sorrow (Leighton).

Reading Through the Bible In One Year

It has been more than two months since the launch of the holy endeavour to read through the Bible in one year. How have you been doing? If you have been keeping up with your daily reading, thank God for sustaining you. If you missed some readings, I urge you to set time aside on the Lord’s Day to catch up on your reading. May God grant you His grace to persevere in this resolution.

Trusting in God’s Mercy (Psalm 13)

In Psalm 13, the psalmist felt that he had been forgotten by His God.

Psalm 13:1-2 “How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?”

The fears and doubts in the psalmist’s heart were articulated in his prayer in the opening verses to his LORD.

Dare to Be a Daniel

Daniel 1:8a “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”

God’s people living in today’s troublous times are encouraged to “Dare to Be Like Daniel”. The book of Daniel tells us that in spite of what depraved leaders of this world system are doing, God is still the sovereign ruler of this universe. He is in total control of everything that is happening.

A Wonderful Saviour

– A Light out of Darkness

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), America’s most prolific hymn writer, authored more than six thousand hymns, blessing millions worldwide. Embarrassed by the volume of credits to her name, she used over two hundred pseudonyms. Fanny Crosby did her composing in a dark room – total darkness – for she was blinded in infancy by a doctor’s mistake. Her father died when she was a year old, requiring her mother to hire herself out to a wealthy family. When her grandmother heard that the little child was incurably blind, she said, “Then I will be her eyes.” She took long walks with Fanny and graphically described the sunsets, clouds, trees, flowers, birds, and beauties of nature. Her grandmother’s word pictures were so vivid that Fanny even had a favourite flower – the violet.