The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Galatians 5:22-26, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

Do you like fruit? I sure do! Well, I say that, but I have to amend it somewhat because there are some marked differences in fruit. I love peaches and apricots and prunes and apples and oranges. But, I’ve never liked pears! There’s a grittiness in pears that overwhelms the taste –at least, for me.

In our last Letter, mention was made of Paul’s 15 citations of “fleshliness.” Remember? Well, here in our verses today he mentions only nine “fruit of the Spirit.” Gramatically, I should say “fruits” in the plural sense; but Paul means fruit collectively. If we have love, we have joy; if we have joy, we have peace; if we have peace, we are patient; if we are patient, we are kind and good and faithful and gentle. In other words, we are exercising “self-control.”

And what happened to the flesh and those passions and selfish, evil desires? They are gone! They have been crucified with Christ! He took all of that upon Himself when He went to the cross. We are now living and walking by the Spirit. Those things of which we formerly boasted are gone forever!

The bitterness with which we challenged others because we were envious of what they possessed – it’s all gone! It no longer occupies our thoughts and intentions. The LORD now controls our lives. Our “old self” is buried, and our “new self” is under the control of the Holy Spirit. And we are at peace! –peace with ourselves and peace with everyone else.

What a glorious life we have in Jesus! If you have yet to trust Him, do it right now! If you’ve trusted Him, but find yourself falling back into “doing your own thing,” stop and assess your life. It’s not your life anymore! It’s Christ’s Life; and His Spirit indwells you! Yield it all to Him and you will know again the love and joy and peace He gives. God bless you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom