Over the next few weeks in our Rooted in Christ Study, we’ll be looking at some of the favorite passages from our staff at St. Matthew’s UMC. These are some of the parts of the Bible to mean to most to our staff.

Today’s reading is Galatians 5: 22-23:

We see the fruit of the spirit today.  I think this is important for us to see and think about. The spirit working within us will produce fruit.  It simply will.  If the spirit of God is within you and is changing your life, your life will see such fruit.  This fruit is listed today: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  These things are measured. They are controlled.  And here is what I notice, especially went contrasted with the words of the flesh.

These fruit look beyond one’s self. These gifts look to the other person.  These fruits are not inward looking, or selfish, or considering what they can take. They are external, they are looking at what they can give. The spirit of God is always looking outward to others, to see what we can do, how we should give.  Jesus Christ gave His life for us all. The Spirit of God calls us to lay down our lives for others. This spirit produces fruit that will do that very thing.

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