Commentary on "The Fruit of the Spirit: The Essence of Christian Character"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 2: Sunday, March 21, 2010

 

Overview

“Notice that righteousness, peace, and joy are the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, we should seek first the fruit of the Spirit before anything else. In the end, we can have everything the world offers, but what does that mean if we don’t have righteousness, peace, and joy?” (Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, Page 150)

 

Observations

At first glance, this statement looks reasonable. It is true that our prayers do tend towards what we want God to do for us rather than seeking His kingdom first.

Here’s the problem: The “fruit of the Spirit” is the Spirit’s fruit. It is not something to seek. It is not a struggle to obtain it. If the Spirit lives in a person, then that person will exhibit the Spirit’s fruit. It is as much the result of God’s grace as is salvation. Therefore, looking for fruit is the wrong activity. Jesus told us to abide in the vine (see John 15), not to grow grapes.

This is very much like Peter’s experience in walking on the water in Matthew 14 and Mark 6. As soon as Peter took his attention off of Jesus, he sank. His failure was in looking at the fruit instead of continuing to abide in Christ.

 

Summary

1. Humans truly do spend far more time initiating to God than in responding to Him.
2. One of the misunderstandings that come from this attitude is imagining that we can produce the Spirit’s fruit.
3. Seeking first the kingdom of God does not mean that we are to seek fruit.
4. It means that we are to rest in Him, keeping our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfecter of our faith while He produces fruit in and through us.

 

GO TO DAY 3

 

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