Christ Church Daily Devotion May 9 2024

The Daily Devotion from May 9th, 2024 focuses on the passage from Galatians about the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit consists of love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues are interconnected and require each other to function fully. We should not just focus on a few favorites but strive to develop all of them. The goal is to grow to be more like Jesus in every way. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion from May 9th, 2024. Today, we will be reading from Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 through 25. Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Bible scholars often note that Paul's description of the fruit of the Spirit in this passage is singular, while there are nine virtues listed. So the fruit of the Spirit contains many parts. These virtues that we develop in our lives through the Spirit's work in us are very interconnected with none of them standing alone. In fact, each virtue requires the others in order to function fully. When the Holy Spirit produces fruit within us, the full range of His ministry is brought to bear through us. We should never focus on just some of the virtues. Because of our unique personalities, we might find it easier to practice some of the virtues than others. But that doesn't mean we can just pick and choose a few as our favorites and avoid a difficult virtue such as patience. If we are impatient, that is precisely what the fruit of the Spirit is designed to help us with. Take another look at the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, great gentleness, and self-control. As we try to live being guided by the Holy Spirit, we should strive to develop the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Your personal worship option today? Help us to grow to be more like Jesus in every way, so that the world will know we belong to you. Amen.