The Fruit of the Spirit Part 7

How do we know that Jesus, Immanuel (God-with-us), is really with us? Paul answers that question beautifully in his letter to the disciples in Galatia who must have been wondering the same thing. Paul writes: the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  When we experience any of these gifts in our daily lives, we know that Christ’s Spirit is at work.

The seventh fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. In the Bible faith is defined by trust in and loyalty to God. Here is an example from Psalm 26, verse 3: For your steadfast love is before my eyes, O God, and I walk in faithfulness to you. God’s love comes first, followed by our trust in the source of that love. In that same vein, we read in Paul’s letter to Rome Therefore, since we are justified (put right in our relationship with God) by faith (trust in God’s steadfast love), we have peace (reconciliation and wholeness) with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (who on the cross powerfully demonstrated God’s unconditional love), through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).

Is there a clearer demonstration of God’s steadfast love than the cross and the empty tomb? These are the ultimate symbols of the triumph of goodness over evil and life over death. Of course, we trust God and gladly put God in the center of our lives. God in Christ is trustworthy!

Who do you trust?

Eastertide blessings,

Marc