But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23 NLV
The Holy Spirit within us manifests itself with the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If we have the Holy Spirit these gifts should be evident in our lives. One translation of this passage says that these gifts come into our lives the same way fruit appears in an orchard. I remember being in orange orchard in Florida as a child. I could see countless oranges in every direction for as far as I could see. This was the first image that came to my mind when I read this passage. If we live God’s Way – the abundance of gifts into our lives will be evident. What a vision for our best life to have more than enough of the gifts of the spirit -love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We desire these gifts to appear in abundance in our lives – like an orchard.
But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22- 24 MSG
Terri's Wellspring 