Categories: Religion

Christian Virtues Aid Fruitful Living

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Christian Virtues Produce a Well-Rounded, Fruitful Christian Life¹

Christian Virtues Fruitful Life are desirable “cause-and-effect” proclamations! The question, “What is a Christian?” is often heard and is very often followed by criticisms of various natures. Answers in abundance can be found by study of the Holy Bible.

Paul Describes the Holy Spirit in terms of Fruit¹

Fruit of the Spirit

Paul, in Galatians 5:22-23, describes the Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer, in terms of “fruit.” The fruit is the product of the Spirit and is produced by the Spirit rather than by the Christian.

Galatians 5:22-23.

Commentary to the above verses states:

“Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit, not by the mere moral discipline of trying to live by law. Paul makes it clear that justification by faith does not result in libertinism. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces Christian virtues in the believer’s life.”

Receipt of the Holy Spirit¹

The Bible clearly proclaims that all receive the Holy Spirit the moment they believe in Jesus Christ. A primary purpose of the Holy Spirit entering a Christian’s life is to change that life. The Holy Spirit’s goal is to conform us to the image of Christ, and in doing so make us more like Him.

Galatians 5:22-23.

Romans 8:8-9.

1 Corinthians 12:13.

Ephesians 1:13–14.

Absence of the Holy Spirit¹

The fruit of the Holy Spirit directly contrasts with the sinful nature acts described in Galatians 5:19-21. Sinful flesh produces fruit which reflects our nature, and the Holy Spirit produces fruit which reflects His nature.

¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19–21.

Simon Peter Describes Christian Virtues¹

2 Peter 1:5-11.

Commentary to the above verses states:

“By cultivating the qualities listed in vv. 5-7, they and others can be assured that God has chosen them and called them (cf. Mat 7:20). The genuineness of their profession will be demonstrated as they express these virtues (cf. Gal 5:6; Jas 2:18). When God elects and calls, it is to obedience and holiness (1 Pet 1:2; Eph 1:3-6), and these fruits confirm their divine source. never fail. Those who in this way give evidence of their faith will never cease to persevere.”

¹Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, Zondervan Study Bible, Large Print, King James Version (KJV); copyright 2002 by Zondervan; published by the Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; All rights reserved.