Introduction
In a world continually looking for solutions to solve the problems of life, society looks to self-help schemes and quick fix answers. Even Christianity produces an abundance of books, videos, and seminars to help individuals overcome the obstacles of life. While many of these products provide sound advice, at times they distract the believer from the basic truths of scripture. The Bible supplies everything the believer needs to examine one's life for problems and provides a solution for the problem. This statement may seem simple and elementary; however, returning to the basic elements of scripture provides a life changing experience.
Christ said, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30 ESV) God's requirements for godly living require one book. Just as the Pharisees and Sadducees, believers make living a holy life difficult by adding extra rules and regulations outside of Scripture. A checklist of rules and regulations does not reveal evidence of living a holy life. Marks of maturity are evidence of living a Christian life and spiritual growth. In Galatians 5:22-26, Paul reveals marks of maturity by presenting the Fruit of the Spirit.
Overview of the Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit is a stark contrast to the works of the flesh found in Galatians 5:19-21. The works of the flesh are simply those things that people are able to accomplish in their own power and flesh. It amounts to rubbish and is worthless in the sight of God. However, the Holy Spirit accomplishes spiritual fruit in the life of the believer. Anyone is able to accomplish the works of the flesh. However, only the believer may accomplish the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit defines who the believer is in Christ. One important truth is the fruit of the Spirit is singular; they are to be accomplished by the believer through the Spirit all the time. The fruit of the Spirit are for every believer. If the believer chooses not to live a life style that actively pursues the fruit of the Spirit, then their spiritual formations will suffer slow growth.
Fruit is an excellent picture of spiritual growth in the believer's life. A fruit-bearing tree will produce an abundance of fruit when it is healthy. When unhealthy its ability to produce fruit diminishes. This enables the believer to recognize their personal spiritual life-style. The believer is always showing these characteristics, the issue is to what degree are these characteristics evident in the believer's life. "The Spirit never fails to produce some fruit in a believer's life, but the Lord desires much fruit."[1] Just as a person must be willing to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, so to must the believer be willing to grow in Christ.
The fruit of the Spirit are characteristics or attitudes a believer in Christ must exhibit. It is difficult to describe the fruit of the Spirit, as they are an internal expression that is can be seen physically in the believer's life. They are an internal gage for the believer to examine spiritual formation. In addition, they are an outward sign of salvation. They draw believers together and unbelievers toward Christ.
The fruit of the Spirit is extraordinary. Paul says at the end of verse 23, "against such things there is no law." In whatever place a believer exists, no one has written a law against love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control. These Christ like attitudes cannot be condemned for any reason by anyone. While some of these attitudes might be considered weakness by worldly standards, they are still consider virtues of good character. However, what is even more extraordinary is that if a believer integrates these attitudes in their life style, it would be difficult for them to break the law.
The fruit of the Spirit are attitudes that a believer should seek to integrate into their life style. They create an atmosphere blesses their life and the lives of the people around them. Most important, it displays a Christ like attitude in the believer. However, the believer must desire and seek to grow this fruit.
A Closer Look at Love
Love is the first fruit of the Spirit and it is first because the rest of the fruit flows from love. Love binds the rest of the fruit to the believer's life. Without love, faith in Christ is impossible. It is this love, agape love, which drives the believer in his faith in Christ. Agape love is something the believer must choose and it is a command from God. God commands the believer to love God and people (Luke 10:27). However, the believer is not forced to love God or people, he must chose to love.
If love is a choice, then the will must control love rather than emotions. "It means that, no matter what people may do to us by way of insult or injury or humiliation, we will never seek anything else but their highest good."[2] If love were controlled by emotions, then it would not be agape love. The believer is commanded to love enemies; therefore, it must be a deliberate effort guided by the grace of God for successful completion. Love seeks the best for others who seek the worst for us; this is a true mark of maturity.
A Closer Look at Joy
Joy is a vital part of the believer's life in Christ. Joy cannot be duplicated outside of the Spirit's indwelling. Joy is not happiness, because joy is not affected by the chances and changes life bring. Joy is dependent upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Happiness is dependent upon current circumstance, while joy is an eternal state of being. The believer can experience joy even when they are sad. There is joy know a believer has entered glory, but sadness at the absence of their worldly presence.
Two things establish joy as something only a believer possesses. First, joy is a gift from God. Unbelievers search for joy, but are never satisfied unless they accept Christ. Second, joy is a command. Paul tells the Philippians to "rejoice in the Lord always (Phil 4:4)." Whatever circumstance enters a believer's life; there joy comes from God if they choose to rejoice. A true mark of maturity is seen in the believer who posses joy in every circumstance.
A Closer Look at Self-Control
Self-control is the final fruit of the Spirit and is the final mark of maturity. While all the other marks of maturity flow from love, they flow to self-control. Self-control is the picture of the believer who is well established in the rest of the marks of maturity. Self-control relates to the restraint of passions and appetites of sin,[3] resisting the works of the flesh found earlier in the passage.
While love and joy are attributes of God, self-control is not an attribute of God. God never changes, therefore does not need to display self-control. However, when Christ walked the earth, His life portrayed self-control in every way. Self-control is a mark of maturity in that it shows the believer is far from the works of the flesh.
Conclusion
It is a truth that believers in Jesus Christ belong to Him (Gal. 5:24). Paul uses a strong word to help believers understand the importance of this relationship and their life-style. The believer has crucified the former life-style they once lived. To continue to live a life in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit is like carrying a rotting carcass around. It is filthy, disgusting, and undesirable. The marks of maturity found in the fruit of the Spirit must permeate the believer's life so that they live and walk by the Spirit.
When the fruit of the Spirit permeates the Believer's life-style, it will be evident to him and those around. It is something seen within the believer and by others. However, Paul gives a final warning in Galatians 5:26, "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Sadly, there is a possibility that the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit could cause jealousy. This is a mark of immaturity in for those who become jealous and is also a temptation for judging another person's intentions.
The fruit of the Spirit is a gift from God that promotes an extraordinary spiritual life-style. They mark the believer's maturity in depth and insight. The believer must strife after the fruit of the Spirit continually. 