But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) Patience and gentleness are two peas in a pod. In his book, Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, Christopher J. H. Wright contends that, “if patience is the ability to endure hostility and criticism … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
Marion Van Driel
Marion Van Driel delights in her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother; her soul is fed by both composing and composting. Music, words, form and colour are ingredients on which she thrives. She considers her garden a gift where family and friends gather to visit, heal, reflect and celebrate. Called as writer, artist, worship leader, gardener and (sometimes reluctant) follower of Christ, she bears evidence of God’s abundant grace without which she’d be someone else entirely.
Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) Beloved theologian and author, the late Eugene Peterson called faithfulness “a long obedience in the same direction.” Faithfulness is long-term commitment to our beliefs – knowing what we want to live … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) It’s quite natural that goodness follows after kindness as a characteristic of spiritual fruit. At first glance, the two may seem synonymous. Kindness, goodness – what’s the difference? Aren’t people … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) A few years ago, random acts of kindness became popular. Pay for someone’s coffee in the Starbuck’s lineup. Let someone go before you at the grocery counter. The word ‘kind’ originates with family, or … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22,23) Love, joy and peace – these first three attributes seem wrapped in gossamer - fit for the heavenly-minded. In contrast, patience is the practical, down-to-earth cotton woven into the fabric of the most … [Read more...] about Fruit of the Spirit: Patience