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Galatians 5 says…

"The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! " [Galatians 5:22-23, NLT]

The areas mentioned in this list are evidence that the deepest parts of ourselves are being changed by the Spirit of God. This fruit will show up in every aspect of your life, especially your relationship with God and with other people.

Your spiritual gifts will grow as God restores you to your original purpose.

You might be wondering, "What was God’s original purpose for humanity?" Sin is so much a part of our human experience that it’s hard to even imagine what life would be like without it.

God’s very first instructions for humanity in the idyllic Garden of Eden help us understand His original plan for us. Wendy and I are going to share with you a few passages from Genesis 1 and 2. You will see that they coordinate with the fruit that comes to us through the Holy Spirit. Here we go!

Faithfulness—God wants us to care for our world.

In The Message version of Genesis 1:28, God blessed His people, saying…

“Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.”

We can be reliable and committed caretakers of whatever God entrusts to us.

Joy and Kindness—God wants us to enjoy and generously share His provision.

In Genesis 1:29 God says,

“Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.” [NLT]

Just as God provided all the food needed for Adam and Eve, He will provide for you. He provides for us.

Goodness—God wants us to be workers who create beauty in the world.

Genesis 2:15[b] says that the Lord God placed us

"...in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it." [NLT]

We add goodness to the world every time we create something beautiful. Blessing others, we bring small glimpses of God into the world.

Self-control—God wants us to have freedom, safety, and well-being.

In Genesis 2:16-17, God said…

“You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” [NLT]

We thrive when we live within God’s beneficial boundaries for us.

Love—God wants us to be in community with others.

In Genesis 2:18, God said,

“It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." [NLT]

We can strengthen and build one another through friendship and genuine love.

Gentleness and Patience—God wants us to care for one another.

In Genesis 4:9-10, the Lord asked Cain…

"'Where is your brother, Abel?' 'I don’t know,' Cain responded. 'Am I my brother’s guardian? Am I his keeper?' But the Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground!'" [NLT]

We can extend care to people we find difficult because God is everlastingly patient with us. We can serve others humbly. We are all brothers and sisters, designed to look out for each other.

Let’s ask God to help us bear fruit in all these areas!