The Fruit of the Spirit

We know that all Christians have the Spirit living within them and, therefore, all Christians have some fruit of the Spirit. But we can’t take that fruit for granted. Second Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” Fleeing and pursuing are not passive words—so we are not to be passive, but to work diligently at cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. How? Well, primarily by prayerful, regular study of the Word of God, including meditation on it and obeying it. And, of course, that’s why you’re part of the Men’s Ministry, isn’t it—to pursue the fruit of the Spirit in your own life?

Galatians 5:22-23 lists some qualities of the fruit of the Spirit. The nine listed in Galatians are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Remember that “fruit” is singular. There are not nine fruits, but only one, with many facets or aspects. That means that when the fruit is present in your life, you can’t have only one or two of the qualities without any of the others. You can’t have joy and peace, but no self-control. You will have at least some measure of all the qualities. Taken together, as a unity, they represent Christ-likeness. And Christ-likeness is worth pursuing.

We are starting this first week with the quality of love, which is the sum and source of all the other qualities. Let’s examine love as we see it in John 13:1-7, which tells of an event in the life of Jesus when the Spirit’s fruit was ripe. Jesus showed love, the kind of love we all need to have for others.

1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." 9Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, "Not all of you are clean."
12When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Men, we can learn a lot by studying Jesus’ behavior. Although he was God, he was also a man—a man who was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. A man who “learned obedience through what He suffered.” Think about the love he showed here as he faced Gethsemane and the suffering of the cross.

Remember that this was his last evening with his disciples. Jesus knew that Judas was lost and full of hate for Jesus and would betray him. Jesus knew that the disciples were weak and confused and that they would fail him. Jesus knew too that he would soon—within hours—undergo the greatest suffering and agony that any man would ever face. In that circumstance, he chose to show the extent of his love for his disciples by washing their feet, including the feet of Judas, his enemy.
Why was foot washing such a big deal? Because it was a task that only the most menial, inferior slaves did. It was so demeaning that Peter was embarrassed by what Jesus was doing. But Jesus had a point to make, and when he explained it to them afterward, he said: I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Jesus taught them that they were to be known by the same kind of self-sacrificing love toward one another. Jesus’ followers are here to love God and love other people for God’s glory. You can make God look great by what you do!
Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you are looking for ways to show love:

1. Love is practical. Look for simple things that need to be done for someone else, and do them.
2. Love involves doing unpleasant things (like washing feet). Look for things that need to be done that perhaps no one else wants to do. Or, perhaps, show love to someone who is difficult to love, who has done wrong to you.
3. It requires humility to do tasks that are beneath you, or not worthy of your time and talents. Be willing to do things that might bring disapproval. Maybe something is needed that you ordinarily wouldn’t do yourself—but that might just be an opportunity to show love.
4. Love is not always welcomed, but that shouldn’t keep you from showing it.

Love is not self-seeking; don’t show love expecting your kindness to be appreciated. One example of this is giving constructive criticism to a friend when it is needed—your loving rebuke may not be appreciated, but love will motivate you to overcome your reluctance or fear. Be satisfied with knowing that God is the One who sees and rewards our good deeds.

In your men’s group, talk about ways to show love that imitate Christ’s “foot washing.” Deeds of love will be different for each of you, of course, depending on your situation. Here are some ideas to get started.

• Helping aged or infirm folks with physical chores they can no longer physically do, like cleaning gutters, changing light bulbs, moving furniture, etc. Or, if needed, help with their physical care.
• Clean the bathrooms or refrigerator for your wife.
• Take an interest in someone who is not especially interesting to you, but who may need your friendship. This might be someone you think is boring, or needy, or whining complainer, etc.
• Talk to a friend lovingly about an area of sin you are aware of that he needs to overcome. Be prepared to follow through and help him change if he wants you to.
• Take time (outside of work hours) to listen to a co-worker who is struggling and give some helpful counsel.