THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS PT 4

TEXT: Hebrews 12:11
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

MESSAGE
Its been great studying the fruits of righteousness. Righteousness is the foundation of all things that we ever got by coming to Christ. No wonder Jesus says to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then shall all other things be added to us (Matt 6:33).  Today we shall be examining a very important fruit that we can and should bear as righteous beings. This fruit is called the fruit of the spirit.

The fruit of the spirit refer to the manifestation of the nature of the regenerated spirit of man.the new person, that God has made to be like him. That person only does what is right. That person is really and completely good, like God." (Eph 4:24 Easy English Version).

The regenerated spirit of man has the exact nature of God. He is fashioned to have the exact form and characteristics of God. He is "..

That characteristics of God which your righteous spirit naturally possesses is is called the fruit of the spirit if it is allowed to manifest. So what is the nature and character of God? The bible says that God is love (see 1John 4:1John 4:7 1John 5:2). His nature and character is love. Thus the fruit of the spirit is love. Galatians 5:23 confirms it. It says the fruit of the spirit is love... Notice that Paul didn't refer to FRUITS (as in plural) but FRUIT (as in singular) and he didn't say " the fruits of the spirit ARE he says "the fruit of the spirit IS..." You may wonder why he made mention of nine characteristics then. Actually, the fruit of the spirit is one fruit that manifests in 8 other ways depending on the demand of the circumstances.

God wants us to bear these fruits so that men (not God) may be able to identify our identity and give glory to God.The farmer may know what tree he planted. But only by the fruit do others know what tree it is. God does not need your fruits to know you are his child but men do! Since a tree is known by its frits, Jesus says "by this shall all MEN know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another".

This love trait is in all born again children of God. It is programmed as part of our D.N.A. (Divine Nature Attributes). But manifesting them is a function of strengthening your spirit to influence and lead your mind by feeding him with the word of God as well as using the word of God to training your mind to submit to the spirit. This training process is not palatable but it is worth it. It involves denying yourself (denying the mind what will gratify its usual desire) and carrying your cross (an equivalence of signing your death warrant saying, I'd rather died than gratifying my sensual desires). Then follow Jesus through your spirit. Remember, do you want to glorify God or you want to gratify your sensual desire? The former leads to life and peace but the other leads to death. The choice is yours. Be fruitful!

PRAYER
Father I thank you for creating me in your image and likeness. I receive grace to be fruitful in Jesus Name.
Father prune me and make me more fruitful in Jesus Name.
I refuse to yield myself to sin. I yield myself as instrument of righteousness to the glory of God

FURTHER STUDIES
Galatians 5:19-24
Romans 6:11-18
1John 4:
1John 4:7
1John 5:2

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