FAITHFULNESS – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Faithfulness is the seventh of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Faithfulness defined

Faithfulness: reliable, steadfast and unwavering.

Synonyms: loyal, true, constant, fast, steadfast, staunch.

God is faithful!

Faithfulness is an essential part of who God is (Psalm 89:8; Hebrews 13:8). In His faithfulness, God protects us from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3), sets limits on our temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13), forgives us of sin (1 John 1:9), and sanctifies us (1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 1:6).

Faithfulness is a gift from God. When we receive Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and brings the blessings of love, joy, peace and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22). The fullness of these blessings depends on walking with God and yielding to His Spirit. We should be faithful to read and abide by God’s Word and to seek the Lord in prayer (Psalm 1:1-2; Ephesians 6:18).

Two Bible verses about faithfulness

“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deut. 7:9 NASB)

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23 ESV)

GOODNESS – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Goodness is the sixth of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Goodness defined

In Scripture goodness always involves particular ways of behaving. Because God is good, he is good to his people; when people are good they behave decently toward each other, based on God’s goodness to them. Moses’ invitation to Hobab expresses this emphasis: “Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel” (Num. 10:29 NIV). The general biblical words for “good/goodness” include this idea of right behavior, although the idea is often expressed by means of a more specific term like “upright/uprightness” or “righteous/righteousness.”

God’s goodness appears most clearly in his dealings with people. He is not only good in general, but he is good to us (Psalm 23:6; 68:10; 73:1; 119:65; 145:9; Lam. 3:25; Luke 6:35; Rom. 2:4; 11:22; Eph. 2:7; Titus 3:4). God’s goodness is a bedrock truth of Scripture. His goodness is praised in the psalms ( 25:8 ; 34:8 ; 86:5 ; 100:5 ; 118:1 ; 136:1 ; 145:9 ). Jesus affirms the Father’s goodness when speaking to the rich young ruler ( Matt 19:17 ; Mark 10:18 ; Luke 18:19 ). In 1 Peter 2:3, Peter echoes the language of Psalm 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Human goodness is modeled on divine goodness (Matt 5:48). For human beings goodness involves right behavior, expresses itself in kindness and other praiseworthy qualities, includes avoiding evil, and springs from the inner person.

Two Bible verses about goodness

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalms 23:6 KJV)

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10 ESV)

KINDNESS – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Kindness is the fifth of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Kindness defined

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

synonyms: kindheartedness, warm-heartedness, affection, warmth, gentleness, concern, care; consideration, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, unselfishness, selflessness, compassion, sympathy, understanding, bigheartedness, benevolence, friendliness, hospitality.

Divine Kindness: God’s kindness is found throughout Scripture. It is manifest in what is called “common grace.” God is kind to all he has made (Psalm 145:9), even when they are ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35; cf. Matt 5:4). His kindness is intended to lead to repentance, not to rejection of him (Rom 2:4). God’s kindness is manifest in the full salvation that comes through Christ (1 Peter 2:3). Our salvation comes from the kindness of God (Eph. 2:7-8), and it is through continuing in his kindness that we are saved (Rom 11:22).

Two scripture verses about kindness

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Col. 3:12 NIV)

“In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:7 NIV)

FORBEARANCE – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Forbearance is the fourth of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Forbearance defined (Greek: anoché, “a holding back”)

Forbearance: suspense or delay (of punishment), patience. Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance, “forbearance from taking action.”

Synonyms: tolerance, patience, resignation, endurance, fortitude, stoicism.

Forbearance verses

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:1-3 KJV)

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” (Col. 3:12-15 KJV)

PEACE - “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23a NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Peace is the third of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Peace defined (Hebrew: Shalom) (Greek: Eirene)

Baker’s Bible dictionary has the best and most complete definition of God’s Peace that I have read. It is a bit of a long read, but worth it to understand the meaning and how it applies to you today.

In English, the word “peace” conjures up a passive picture, one showing an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife. The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root shalom, which means “to be complete” or “to be sound.” The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning”to be complete or whole” or “to live well.” The noun had many nuances, but can be grouped into four categories: (1) as wholeness of life or body (i.e., health); (2) as right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, often established by a covenant (see “covenant of peace” in Num. 25:12-13; Isa. 54:10; Eze. 34:25-26) and, when related to Yahweh, the covenant was renewed or maintained with a “peace offering;” (3) as prosperity, success, or fulfillment (see Lev. 26:3-9); and (4) as victory over one’s enemies or absence of war, as was used in both greetings and farewells. It was meant to act as a blessing on the one to whom it was spoken: “May your life be filled with health, prosperity, and victory.” As an adjective, it expressed completeness and safety. In the New Testament, the Greek word “eirene” is the word most often translated by the word “peace.” Although there is some overlap in their meanings, the Hebrew word salom is broader in its usage, and, in fact, has greatly influenced the New Testament’s use of eirene [eijrhvnh].

God as the Source of Peace.

God alone is the source of peace, for he is “Yahweh Shalom” (see Judges 6:24). The Lord came to sinful humankind, historically first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, desiring to enter into a relationship with them. He established with them a covenant of peace, which was sealed with his presence (see Nu. 6:24-26). Participants were given perfect peace (shalom) so long as they maintained a right relationship with the Lord (see Isa. 26:3; 2 Thes. 3:16).

Two more peace promises

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 NIV)

JOY – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23a NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Joy is the second of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Joy defined

Joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as He causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world.

“For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.”(Psalms 33:21 NKJV)

Believers rejoice because God has surrounded them with his steadfast love (Psalms 32:11) and brought them to salvation (Psalms 40:16; Psalms 64:10). David rejoices that God has delivered him from the hand of his enemies (Psalms 63:11). Joy is a response to God’s word (Psalms 119:14) and his reward to believers (Isa. 65:14) and their strength (Neh. 8:10).

Two more joy promises

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Rom. 15:13 ESV)

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12 ESV)

LOVE – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23a NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Love is the first of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise! Over the next nine days, we will examine each one. Today we will look at the fist one, which is love.

Love defined (Agape)

Greek: Agape love refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of one’s fellow man. The essence of agape love is goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of love. Unlike our English word love, agape is not used in the New Testament to refer to romantic or sexual love. Nor does it refer to close friendship or brotherly love, for which the Greek word philia is used. Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. It is distinguished from the other types of love by its high moral nature and strong character. Agape love is beautifully described in 1 Cor. 13.

Synonyms: deep affection, tenderness, intimacy, warmth, attachment, endearment, devotion, adoration.

The Bible says that God, Himself, is love. And the following Bible passage explains it well!

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:7-12 NIV)

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31 )

This “do all to the glory of God” also includes when you are celebrating! Today is July 4th, and in America we celebrate our Independence Day with much fanfare and fireworks

It’s good when praises are made to God

Setting aside time for celebration is good! The Bible is filled with lots of celebrations and much praise to God.

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!”(Psalms 150:1-6)

Here is what our country’s founders had to say when they were drafting, signing, and defending the Declaration of Independence:

Samuel Adams, during his signing of the Declaration

“We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to the setting of the sun, let His kingdom come.”

John Quincy Adams

“The highest glory of the American Revolution was this; it connected in one indissoluble bond the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity.”

Noah Webster

“The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws…All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”

William Penn

“If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him… Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.”

“The cause of America is in a great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, some say, is the king of America? I’ll tell you, friend, He reigns above.” (Thomas Paine)

George Washington

“It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe, without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being.”

Daniel Webster

“If truth be not diffused, error will be; If God and His Word are not known and received, the devil and his works will gain the ascendancy, If the evangelical volume does not reach every hamlet, the pages of a corrupt and licentious literature will; If the power of the Gospel is not felt throughout the length and breadth of the land, anarchy and misrule, degradation and misery, corruption and darkness will reign without mitigation or end.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NKJV)

When You confess your sins to God, He forgives and forgets them and cleanses you completely from all unrighteousness!

That means you are made completely clean and righteous in His sight!

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Rom 3:22-24 NIV)

He has the ability to totally forget and remember your sins no more! And, they will never be brought up against you again!

And, why does God do this wonderful thing for you?

The Bible says that He does it for his own sake! “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25 NIV)

And, how far does he blot out your sins?

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12 NIV)

Notice that this passage says that God has removed them as far as the “east from the west” and not “as far as the “north from the south”. It’s because “east from west” is immeasurable, but “north from south” is measurable! God’s amazing forgiveness is without measure!