We call it repentance “unto life” because it is just that. We turn from dead works, from the futility of our own efforts to achieve righteousness. God gives us His own life. Stimulated by this new life, we bring forth fruit of Christlikeness. We produce in our own lives His character. His seed and His life will grow up like Himself. We call this “the fruit of the Spirit.” It is the result of our union with Him. Jesus periodically checks the fruit in our lives, just as He did the fig tree meekness. If our root has been changed, this will show in the fruit of our character.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law “(Gal. 5:22, 23).
Love (agape)
God sheds His own love through us by His Spirit. This is a self-giving love, demonstrated both in devotion to God and in concern for His people.
Joy
God’s Spirit shares Christ’s own joy and gladness with us. This inner rejoicing is not dependent on circumstances, but gives us the ability to bounce back in resiliency when pressures pile upon us.
Peace
What the world must find in tranquilizers and other artificial means for producing relaxation, the Spirit does within us. This inner peace also makes for concord or harmony in relationships and unity in the assembly.
Long-suffering
Long-suffering is exactly that. A better word is perhaps patience or fortitude. It is the ability to endure in expectancy of God’s help. It is slowness in avenging ourselves of injuries and forbearance because we hope in God.
Gentleness
We are obliging and easy to work with because of the Spirit’s work in us making us agreeable where most people would be touchy and ornery.
Goodness (agathos)
This is more than the absence of evil; it is positive virtue. It makes us generous in attitude and profitable to the kingdom. We are morally upright but we also have blessings to impart.
Faith or faithfulness
Because we are at rest inside through the Spirit’s inworking of firm assurance and confidence toward God, we are able to deal with others in good faith and we are known for faithfulness and truthfulness in all our dealings.
Meekness
Meekness is not weakness, or Moses would not have been cited as the meekest man on the earth. It is the ability to remain mild and gentle and forgiving under trying circumstances. It requires more strength than reacting.
Temperance
Self-mastery is the result of discipline, but this is only successful when stimulated by the indwelling Spirit. Self-control grows out of genuine relationship with God through the Spirit.