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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 269

"For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."

Text: Ephesians 5:9-10

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Paul used this phrase “fruit of the Spirit” in his epistle to the Galatians. There he wrote,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
GALATIANS 5:22-23

In the Ephesians text, the description is,

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness
and truth…
EPHESIANS 5:9

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

There isn’t any conflict at all. Let us see how we may reconcile these two texts:-

1. The focus of the Galatian text

a) To highlight individual aspect of the cluster of fruit related to the work of the Spirit.
b) To offer a vivid contrast to the works of the flesh (Cf. Galatians 5:19-21)

2. The focus of the Ephesian text

a) To highlight the “nature” of the fruit of the Spirit.
b) A contrast is also offered. It is contrasted with “the unfruitful works of darkness” (Cf. Ephesians 5:11).

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

The significance of bearing fruit must not be lost. (Cf. John 15 for deeper study).

1. Fruit-bearing testifies of genuine salvation in Christ.

2. Fruit-bearing brings glory to God.

3. Fruit-bearing evidences the awesome work of the Spirit of God in the life of the child of God.

MORAL VIRTUES HIGHLIGHTED

The essence of the fruit he bears will be wonderfully characterized by moral virtues, such as, “goodness, righteousness and truth”.