In my articles on Bearing Fruit, we looked at each aspect of the Spiritual Fruit as laid out in Galatians 5:22-23.  We also looked at how we can receive God’s Holy Spirit which will help us to produce the healthy fruit needed to live successful spiritual lives.

In this article we look at how the fruits manifested themselves in Jesus Christ’s life and how this will help us in our own quest to use the spiritual fruits successfully.

Love

Love is the first of the fruits listed in Galatians 5:22-23.  One of the things Jesus told his disciples is to remain in his love, and to do this by obeying him, just as he obeyed His Father.  So the first love we must show is toward Christ by obeying his teachings.

The second way to show love is by giving your life to your friends.  This may not necessarily be literally, but by doing things for them, as well as others, without looking for anything in return.  Love is an unselfish act, so we must do what we need to with a pure heart. 

John 15:9-13 sums all this up like this:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love… I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends”. 

Christ literally laid down his life for us, by shedding his blood to save us from our sins.  This is true love indeed.

Joy

Jesus was also filled with Joy.  Even at his crucifixion, not only because it saved humanity, but also because of the reward he received afterward - being with His Father in heaven.  This is something we need to look forward to also and be joyful about.  Once we endure and live as Christ taught us to live, we too will be with Him in heaven at the appointed time.

“…And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.  He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward.  Now he is seated in the place of highest honour beside God’s throne in heaven.”  Hebrews 12:1-3

Peace

Jesus’ ultimate role is to bring peace to this troubled world.  This peace will be established in the coming Kingdom of God.

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders.  These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  His ever expanding, peaceful government will never end…”  Isaiah 9:6-7.

Just before His crucifixion, he gave his disciples the gift of peace.  This enabled them to carry out their duties despite the threat of persecution.

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  John 14:27

Patience (Longsuffering)

I think the best example of Jesus’ patience was the torture he endured just before His crucifixion.  It may not have been humanly possible for anybody to survive that kind of suffering before being actually crucified.  But Jesus, knowing that he had to endure to the end, took the tremendous pain and humiliation so that we can have life.

Another way Jesus showed patience was the way he dealt with sinners as we can see from the Apostle Paul.

“This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it.  Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – and I was the worst of them all.  But this is why God had mercy on me, so that Chrsit Jesus could use me as a prime example of his patience with even the worst sinners.  Then others will realize that they too, and believe in him and receive eternal life.” I Timothy 1:15-17

Everyone has the opportunity to receive eternal life once they repent and believe in Jesus.  This is why we must not judge, but learn to see the Christ in everyone.

Kindness and Goodness

Throughout Jesus’ Ministry he displayed kindness and did good for others.  When you read the Gospels, you will notice how many times he had compassion and proceeded to heal and forgive sins.

Take for example Matthew 9:36

“…And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness.  He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help.  They were like sheep without a shepherd.”

Jesus Christ was, of course, “the good shepherd that laid down his life for his sheep.” (John 10:11).

Faithfulness

Jesus remained faithful to his Father.  He obeyed Him in every aspect and remained without sin.  He completed the job of dying for humanity’s sin and now is seated on the right hand of his Father.  Once we too remain faithful and loyal to Him, we too will be with him as he promised.

Gentleness

Remember the childhood prayer ‘Gentle Jesus meek and mild look upon this little child?’

Jesus was truly gentle and humble and this formed part of his kind and good nature.  Here’s what he tells us in Matthew 11:28-29:

“…Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you.  Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Even in the beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5, we notice that those who are gentle and lowly will inherit the whole earth (verse 5).

Self Control

Jesus also exhibited self control.  If he wanted to he could have saved himself as the priests, the two criminals who were crucified with him, as well as others, suggested he do when he was on the cross.  They even said they will believe in him if he did such (Matthew 27:41-43).  But Jesus did not fall for this.  He held on and as a result, mankind can now be saved from sin.

By studying Jesus’ life, we can learn how to use the spiritual fruits God gave through His Holy Spirit to lead holy and fruitful lives.