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Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness"

GRACE CARLSON

 

Day 6: Thursday, February 11, 2010

 

Overview

In Thursday’s lesson, the author concludes his thoughts throughout the week by stating, “As human beings we are sinners; we have violated God’s law; we all need a Savior. But at the same time, we have been given promises in the Bible that if we surrender to Jesus, if we choose to live in the Spirit and not in the flesh, we can overcome and live a life that reflects the goodness of God... We can be ‘good’ in the biblical sense of the word, not ‘good’ as if we deserve salvation but ‘good’ in the sense that our hearts, our motives, our deeds reveal to the world the reality of the God whom we profess to serve.”

 

Observations

There is no direct problem with this lesson as it is stated. However due to the perspective of the author, as well as the perspective of most of the readers, it it important to reiterate what it means to “live a life that reflects the goodness of God”.

It is important to remember that in reality, the “fruit of the Spirit” is not our fruit, but rather God’s fruit. God bears it, not us. And the only way we can become fruit-bearers is if the Holy Spirit indwells us. It is when we give the indwelling Spirit full control over our flesh, that the Spirit bears His fruit that manifests itself through our lives. It is ALL God.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

 

Summary

  1. The fruit of the Spirit is God’s fruit; He is actually the one bearing it.
  2. In order to have this fruit evident in our lives, we must be indwelt by His Spirit.
  3. When we give our lives to God, we are surrendering ourselves to His Spirit. He takes up residence in our lives and transforms every aspect of it.

 

GO TO DAY 7

 

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