22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. — John 15:4-5
The nine fruit of the Spirit come from Christ the vine through the Holy Spirit. The nine fruit and different dimensions of love that depict the the fulness of the nature and character of the Godhead. Three depict the nature of the Father, three depict the nature of the Son, and three depict the nature of the Holy Spirit. Because they are one Godhead, they have the nature of each other.
The Father’s Nature – Love, Longsuffering, Faith
The Son’s Nature – Joy, Gentleness, Meekness
The Holy Spirit’s Nature – Peace, Goodness, Temperance
Love
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. — 1 John 4:9-11
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John 3:16
God is love and love is of God. Love is the predominant character of God the Father. He is the Father for two important reasons. First everything was birth in and out of Him. Second He provides and is the great giver. For God so loved that He gave. Because God so loved us that gave His only begotten Son to save us, we should love Him and love others. The nature of the Father is love. The love of the Father is in the Son, and the love of the Father and the Son is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit pours out the love of God into our hearts.
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. — Romans 5:5
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. — John 13:34
We receive the same love that is in Godhead through the Holy Spirit. God called us to love you the way He does. That love was demonstrated through Christ life. The love that Christ walked in is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. — Matthew 5:44-48
Love is maturity it comes from the mature Father God. The love of the Father does four things.
- Love your enemies
- Bless them that curse you
- Do good to them that hate you
- Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
The love of God the Father is unconditional. God the Father loves whether He loved back or not. He love even those who do not love Him, even His enemies. We are called to love the same way, but we can only do that by looking at Christ and yielding to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. God blesses even them that curse Him. We should bless even the people that curse us. The Father is always doing good to all including people who hate Him. Christ has commanded us to pray for even people who use us or persecute.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. — Romans 12:14, 17-21
Joy
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. — Hebrews 12:2
25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. — Acts 2:25-28
Joy is a trademark of the character and nature of Christ. Jesus kept the joy of the Lord before Him. The fulness of Christ is found in His relationship to the Father. It is the joy of Christ to bring the creation back into harmony with the Father. We are live in the joy of the Lord.
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. — Nehemiah 8:10
God created us for joy and to bring us joy and to fulfil His joy. Christ for the joy of sitting down next to His Father and bringing us into the joy of salvation laid down His life. His ultimate joy is seeing the Father being touched with the love of His children. Jesus is full of joy and lives to release joy to God His Father and His children.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. — John 15:11
20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. — John 16:24
Jesus desires that our joy would remain and that it would be full. Jesus said after His resurrection He appear to His to bring them joy. He also reveals that one of the reasons the Father answers prayers is to bring joy to the hearts of His children. Jesus is the joy bringer.
Peace
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. — Romans 14:17
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. — John 14:27
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. — Ephesians 4:3
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. — Colossians 3:15
One of the main functions of the Holy Spirit is to give the peace of God into our peace. The Spirit desire to unifiy us in the bond of peace. One of the greatest evidence of a child of God is that they are peacemakers.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. — Matthew 5:9