Love is Christ caring through you. Joy is Love shining through you. Peace is Love resting upon you. Longsuffering (Patience) is Love waiting. Gentleness (Kindness) is Love touching. Goodness is Love respecting. Faithfulness is Love serving. Meekness (Gentleness) is Love submitting. Self-Control is Love guiding.

God uses people who are broken to the touch of the Master’s hand. Meekness is also translated gentleness. This fruit is a heart fruit, “an inward grace of the soul.” This fruit grows in the spiritual seedbed of humility, gentleness, and brokenness. This fruit is a humble and gentle attitude that is patient under every offense. Meekness is “an inner view of yourself that begins with lowliness.” It is the opposite of “self-assertive.” Meekness is definitely not weakness or mildness.

Opportunities for Faithfulness—II Timothy 2:2; John 20:27; Revelation 2:10 Personal Life Holy Lifestyle and Holy Habits Daily Devotional Quiet Time with God Home Life Faithfulness to Marriage Vows Faithfulness in Spiritual Focus for Children

The Sweet Fruit of Goodness— “but the fruit of the Spirit is . . . goodness.” Galatians 5:22-23; Genesis 1:21; Genesis 1:31; Psalm 100:5; Matthew 7:17-20; John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:20-21; Romans 12:2; Romans 12:9; Acts 9:36; Acts 11:24; Ephesians 2:8-10 Kindness is a disposition where everything harsh or austere is gone. Goodness is the overflowing of kindness in good works of love and edification for the body of Christ. “Goodness is kindness in action.”

The Possibility of Kindness in us—Ephesians 4:32 Speak softly and carry a big heart. Proverbs 15:1 Pray much before you speak. Proverbs 15:8, 15:29 Let joy and gratitude make your heart grateful. Proverbs 15:13, 15-16 Ask for wisdom to speak the right words at the right time. Proverbs 15:23 Remember humbly how merciful God in Christ has been to you. Proverbs 15:33

Longsuffering or Patience is the fruit of the Spirit that is willing to wait on our God of love as He handles our life. Longsuffering is an outward fruit of the Spirit to others. Love is the “first fruit” of the Spirit.

Joy was stolen by sin (Genesis 3:15-19; Romans 3:10-19) and restored only by the Cross.

The First Fruit of the Spirit is Love. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love.” The Priority of Love—I Corinthians 13:1-3 The Portrait of Love—I Corinthians 13:4-7; I John 4:8 “God is Love.” The Permanence of Love—I Corinthians 13:8-13