Fruit of the Spirit: Summary Part 2

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Gal 5:22  the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, beneficence, goodness, faith-fullness, 23 meekness, self-control 24 those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also march by the Spirit. 26 not...

 1. Dynamic of Dependence/Abiding: Spirit of God (Truth) uses the Word of God (Truth) to produce in us the Mind of Christ (Jn 14:6)

 2. Fruit is always the result of seed  (word of God), soil (fertile heart), and cultivation (Spirit -light, water, weeding, time/maturity).

 3. HS at work in us to will & do God's pleasure (glorifying fruit) Phil 2:13; Filled w/ HS = Word of HS dwelling richly in us Eph 5:18; Col 3:16

I. Patience/Longsuffering is choosing to suffer offenses/difficulties as God's test (Ps 11), knowing (insight into God's perfect purposes, ways promises) that: as you dependently draw on His HS/grace do His will, He will act in perfect hesed/justice and timing. 2Pt 3:9

Phil 1:29 to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. 2Tim 3:12 all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Heb 11:25 choose to suffer affliction v37 enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming..reward 27 he endured as seeing Him invisible

A. Ps 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers 2...cut down 3 Trust in the LORD, and do good...cultivate faithfulness 4 Delight in LORD- 

B God is longsuffering (grieved by sin, yet warns then delays eventual/inevitable just judgment) hoping people will repent Lk 9:41 how long

Ex 34:6 LORD..merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in hesed and faithfulness/truth, yet... Rm 9:22 God, desiring to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering <3115> the vessels of 

C. In doing God's will, prophets suffered in hope of folks repenting; we must obey God in obeying/proclaiming His Word, then wait

Js 5:7 be longsuffering, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits/expects the precious fruit of the earth, being longsuffering 8 You also be longsuffering. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grieve/grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering (evil passion) and patience. 11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. 

D. We need God's power and perspective to walk worthily in doing His will, as we love and serve, while trusting in His Revelation.

2Cor 6:6 (servants) by pureness, knowledge, by longsuffering, benevolence, by the HS, by love unfeigned 7 by Truth, power of God, armor...

II. BENEFICENCE a decision to deny oneself to bless others/(enemies) by doing the good that is in their best interest, profiting them and us

cx gentleness v23 kindness benignity DR cf goodness/integrity/useful/profitable/serviceable; loan v; worker bee; wound; noble farm;

A. We should mirror God's beneficence in doing good to others, blessing them by meeting their real needs so they are profited.

Mt 11:30 My yoke is beneficent/useful/profitable;  My burden is light.  Lk 6:35 love your enemies, do good, lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. He is beneficent to the unthankful and evil. Lk 5:39 wine

B. Being fruitful in doing good to those who reject God & our beneficence requires drawing on the HS motivation and power Phil 2:13

Col 3:12 Therefore as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on compassion, beneficence, humility, meekness^F, longsuffering^F 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

Eph 4:30 do not grieve the HS of God...31 Let all bitterness...be put away from you 32 be beneficent to one another...forgiving...

1Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts beneficent habits." 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; no knowledge 

2Tim 2:21 if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work

III. Goodness is being permeated (Rm 12:1-2) with God's original creation design and purpose so that one edifies others eis glory

A. God created things as good; not good man alone  Tree gave knowledge of good vs evil  Good horse fit for the purpose; 

Classical: well-born. gentle vs wild; noble, brave, valiant; ability (good cook), capable; moral goodness; serviceable, beneficial, blessing; admirable.

B. Rm 15:14  persuaded, that you also are full 1:29 mind of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Js 3:17 wisdom from above pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, w/o  partiality-hypocrisy cf Mt 23:28

Eph 5:9 fruit of Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; 1Th 1:3 work prompted by faith. 2Th 1:3 faith grows exceedingly

2Th 1:11 pray God count you worthy this calling (glory), fulfill every desire/intent of goodness and the work of faith w/ power 12  glorify Christ

C.”Well Done! Good and Faithful Servant!” (Lk 19:17) is said to those who are good and have done good serving, faith-fully. Cf Neh

D. Good lives, words, and deeds flow from a heart/decisions of goodness that mirrors our Creator's original design and purpose

Good Sacrifice Heb 13.16 do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices (Lord of All or Leftovers?) God is well pleased.  

1Thess 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Cf Gal 6:9-10

Good Tree Mt 7:17 good tree bears good fruit, Mt 12:34 being evil, speak good things? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35  good treasure of his heart brings forth good things....evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36  every idle word...account

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What calls for more long-suffering: circumstances or people?  How does our mindset influence things? \What's the Biblical mindset?

2. How can you make yourself more useful to God and more profitable to others in serving them? What should be the result?

3. Why is it difficult to serve and benefit others when they are ungrateful or even evil toward us? How/why does God do it?

4. How can you embrace the work the HS wants to do in your life by using His Word to produce in you the beneficence of Christ toward others?