THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

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The Fruit of the Spirit: The Essence of
Christian Character

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27, NKJV).



Forty-five Seconds Could Determine Your Destiny
Kimberley Cadogan, St. Philip, Barbados
Sabbath Introduction
Matt. 7:18–20; Eph. 6:6

With a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the state finals, Coach Cleveland Stroud and the rockdale County High School’s Bulldogs wrapped up a successful championship season in the Georgia boys’ basketball tournament of 1987. yet there’s no record of it in their trophy case, because school officials alerted the authorities that a scholastically ineligible player had played for 45 seconds during their first postseason game. “We didn’t know he was ineligible at the time,” Stroud reported. “Some people have said we should have kept quiet about it, that it was just 45 seconds and the player wasn’t an impact player. But you’ve got to do what’s honest and what the rules say. I told my team that people forget the scores of basketball games; but they don’t ever forget what you’re made of.” 1

Like it or not, we are in the spotlight.

Many of us fake engaging personalities in order to hide our true colors, but our real characters are revealed by what we do when we think no one is watching. I’ve heard that the main reason people don’t believe in God is because so many Christians profess Him with their lips but deny Him with their lives.

Hope, however, is not lost. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we can acquire new characters (2 Cor. 5:17) and become grafted into Jesus (John 15:5). During this quarter, we’ve studied the essence of Christian character: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, righteousness, and truth. These heavenly attributes, though not brought to fruition through any conscious effort on our part, are perfected when we persevere in doing what’s right, whether it be returning extra change received from a cashier or not following the crowd in doing evil.

Like it or not, we are in the spotlight. We are known by our spiritual fruit (Matt. 7:20). “When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world.”2

Sow a habit, reap a character; but sow a character and you reap a destiny. People never forget what you’re made of. So what are you going to do? you have only sec- onds to react—45 to be exact.
_____________
1. William Schmidt, “For Town and Team, Honor Is Its Own reward,” New York Times, http://query
.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0De4D8123FF936a15756C0a961948260 (accessed October 5, 2008).
2. C. S. lewis, Mere Christianity (Glasgow: Fount Paperback, 1977), p. 173.



Restoring His Character:The Fruit of the Spirit
George McCallum, St. Philip, Barbados
Sunday Logos
Matt. 6:33; John 15:8; Rom. 3:20–26; 14:17; 1 Tim. 6:11; 1 John 2:15

Character Destroyed
Just as the young couple started to enjoy being made in God’s image, they cut their lives short by tasting a tempting fruit. By eating of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and eve lost within themselves God’s character. Not only did disobedience tarnish their pure character, it caused them to lose their home, their self-esteem, and their desire to communicate with their Creator. However, God did not put them beyond His reach of forgiveness. He went searching for them, wanting to restore in them His character and a desire for eternal fellowship with Him (Gen. 3:8, 9; Ps. 139:7–10).

Clearly her first evangelistic effort was a success.

The spirit of disobedience that expels the righteousness of God and removes us from His presence must be replaced by the fruit of the Spirit. Herein lies the only possibility to restore His character in us so that we can follow His will. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross makes this all possible.

Restoration (Rom. 5:19–21)
God’s character is restored in us through the working of the Holy Spirit, which, in turn, is based on the merit of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. anyone who possesses God’s character is a new creature guided by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3– 7). Thoughts and actions are now determined by the Spirit’s will. The changed person is not just another person but a peaceful person, a joyful person, a loving person, a patient person, a faithful person, a meek person, a self-controlled per- son, and a truthful person.

When the woman of Samaria experienced transformation, the perception oth- ers had of her perished. “ ‘Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did. Could this be the Christ?’ ” (John 4:29, NKJV). The “old” woman was always avoiding the villagers, but the courageous “new” woman approached them with a life-changing message. This was uncharacteristic of the “old” woman in two ways. She hated to see and be seen by the villagers—especially those who knew her sor- did past. and she had a message about Jesus even for those who despised her.
Thus, the messenger became a new person with a new mission in life. The Bible didn’t say how many came out to see Jesus as a result of this woman’s invitation, but clearly her first evangelistic effort was a success. Perhaps Jesus declined to eat the evening meal because He was overwhelmed by this success (John 4:30–34). He was satisfied with her transformation and felt His own joy as He witnessed the presence of the Holy Spirit bud within her. “The Samaritan woman who talked with Jesus at Jacob’s well had no sooner found the Saviour than she brought others to Him. She proved herself a more effective missionary than His own disciples.”1

A New Creature (2 Cor. 5:17)
One who personifies Christ is transformed by the Holy Spirit. Such a person has chosen that which is righteous rather than the things of the world (1 John 2:15). In order for one to possess a Christlike character, total surrender to the Holy Spirit must be first and foremost.
Butterflies go through four stages of life, but they look like butterflies only in the fourth stage. an adult butterfly lays an egg. Then the egg hatches into a caterpillar or larva. The caterpillar forms the chrysalis or pupa; and, finally the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. It is not strange for a caterpillar to become a butterfly. However, it would be strange for a caterpillar to behave like a butter- fly. So one bright morning, this new beautiful creature flies away into the sunny sky having absolutely no idea of the scientific process or means by which it attained this change. The fruit of the Spirit represents the new creature (butterfly) and not the process. likewise, when the miracle of transformation is wrought through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become like Christ, with a desire to soar into the splendor of His righteousness. So it is that we can exemplify Him at home, in school, and in our work. The transformed person is always ready to testify to the Spirit’s restorative power, giving all the credit to God’s grace.

Are You Willing to Be Transformed? (Rom. 12:1, 2)
While Paul sojourned in Corinth, thoughts of Rome occupied his mind. He so wanted to see the gospel of Christ take hold in this city to which much of the world looked. But what a joy it must have been while he rested in Corinth to see that the “Corinthian believers, once so prone to lose sight of their high call- ing in Christ, had developed strength of Christian character. Their words and acts revealed the transforming power of the grace of God, and they were now a strong force for good in the center of hedonism and superstition.”2

What do your words and acts reveal? are they a force for good?

REACT
1. Do you think those who have not experienced transformation of the Holy Spirit can effectively witness for the lord? Why, or why not?
2. Based on this quarter’s lessons, state how you think it is possible to be like Christ.
3. What are some of the things that might be preventing you from totally
surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s power? ____________
1. The Ministry of Healing, p. 102. 2. The Acts of the Apostles, p. 372.



“Love” Your Fruit
Lisa Thorne, St. Philip, Barbados
Monday Testimony
Matt. 22:39

Ellen White points out that “wherever there is union with Christ there is love. Whatever other fruits we may bear, if love be missing, they profit nothing. love to God and our neighbor is the very essence of our religion. No one can love Christ and not love His children. When we are united to Christ, we have the mind of Christ. Purity and love shine forth in the character, meekness and truth control the life. The very expression of the countenance is changed. Christ abiding in the soul exerts a transforming power, and the outward aspect bears witness to the peace and joy that reign within.”1

“The small, simple courtesies, go far to make up the sum of life’s happiness.”

“It is little things that test the character. It is the unpretending acts of daily self- denial, performed with a cheerful, willing heart, that God smiles upon. We are not to live for self, but for others. and it is only by self-forgetfulness, by cherishing a loving, helpful spirit, that we can make our life a blessing. The little attentions, the small, simple courtesies, go far to make up the sum of life’s happiness.”2

In Galatians 5:22, 23, Paul speaks about the “fruit of the Spirit” that we will naturally bear if we are led by the Spirit. a simple analysis of this text shows that the fruit combined is love, the essence of God’s character. read 1 John 4:7–19.

There is a powerful statement in the book Education that says, “The world does not so much need men of great intellect as of noble character. . . . Character building is the most important work ever entrusted to human beings.”3

“Our lord Jesus Christ came to save this world as the unwearied servant of man’s necessity.”4

REACT
How do you think Christ can reproduce Himself in your heart? ____________
1. Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 337. 2. Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 158. 3. Education, p. 225. 4. The Ministry of Healing, p. 17.



Fruitless Fruit Trees
Greig Jordan, St. Philip, Barbados
Tuesday Evidence
John 15:1–5

One of the most wonderful things about living in the tropics is the abundance of fruit and fruit trees. We all know that with fruit trees come plenty of fruit, and there is only one thing that beats picking up fresh fruit from the market, and that is picking fresh fruit right from the trees.
It was God’s ideal that every tree should bring forth fruit.

It was God’s ideal that every tree should bring forth fruit.

Oh, how blessed were our first parents, Adam and Eve, to be placed in the Garden of eden, where there was an abundance of fruit and fruit trees at their fingertips (Gen. 1:29; 2:16). In this Garden, there was not an unfruitful tree. It was God’s ideal that every tree should bring forth fruit. Sin, however, has brought barrenness.

In some cultures, the farmer or husbandman would drive an iron stake through the trunk of a barren fruit tree, and by the next season that tree would be bearing fruit. as Christians, we need not worry about having an iron stake driven through us, for we have been redeemed from the curse of sin and unfruitfulness by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. He is the True Vine (John 15:1–5).

“If we do not bear any fruit, the powers of darkness take possession of our minds, our affections, our service, and we are of the world, though we profess to be children of God. . . . By abiding in Christ, we may have His sweetness, His fragrance, His light. Christ is the light of the world. He shines in our hearts. His light in our hearts shines forth from our faces. By beholding the beauty and the glory of Christ, we become changed into the same image.”*

REACT
Make a list of what occupies your mind, your affections, and your service. Based on that list, would you say you are leaning toward the world or toward God? If you are leaning toward the world, what can you do to get yourself leaning in God’s direction?
____________
*The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1143.



The Genuine Article
Terry Williams, St. Philip, Barbados
Wednesday How-to
John 15:8; Phil. 1:6

Without money, our basic needs would be almost impossible to come by. Unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees; and because there’s a limited supply of money, it’s greatly valued. Similarly, in a world filled with so much misery, unhappiness, and indifference, people who display the fruit of the Spirit are as precious as they can be rare.

The Christian’s Engraver is Christ. His character is our template.

Still, with anything of value, there will always be counterfeiters. Such individuals “rip off” originals for personal gain. When innocent people fall prey to counterfeit products, the results can be devastating. In the Christian realm, people who profess to be Christians but then behave inconsistently with regard to Christian principles can do great damage. Two techniques used to spot monetary forgeries are useful in ensuring that, as a Christian, you are the genuine article:

Know how the money feels. The paper upon which legal tender is printed has a unique consistency, so that as you get used to the feel of real money, you will easily recognize the difference between it and money that is forged. It’s the same with genuine Christians. They have a uniqueness about them that is easy to detect, especially when they are mixed in with forgeries—people who claim to be Christians but who have failed to developed the fruit of the Spirit.

Know the identifying marks of real money. Legal currency has key features that distinguish it from counterfeits. These features include watermarks, indentations, holograms, and serial numbers. an engraver designs a steel plate with each feature, making it impossible to mimic all of them with any degree of accuracy. When the plate is completed, its unique characteristics are transferred to paper. Thus, the end product is always a replica of the original.

Likewise, genuine Christians exhibit certain features—the fruit of the Spirit. The Christian’s engraver is Christ. His character is our template, and our role is to allow Him to complete the development of the fruit in our lives. as these fruit develop, we will become mighty witnesses to a world in desperate need of God’s love.

REACT
What are the dangers of counterfeiters spreading the gospel?



The Fruit of the Spirit
Alicia Haynes, St. Philip, Barbados
Thursday Opinion
John 4:1–42; Gal. 5:22

The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith- fulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The entire experience encouraged her to faithfulness.

This list highlights the mind-set (or heart-set) Christians are to develop. Jesus exemplifies each of these fruit. Therefore, He is our example; and the Holy Spirit assists us in following His example. There are so many situations in the New Testament in which we see Him exhibiting these gifts as He interacts with those He came to save—for instance, the woman of Samaria, whom Jesus met beside a well while traveling through that country. During that time, the Jews and Samaritans were bitter enemies. Furthermore, it was the custom that men did not talk with women in public. However, Jesus overlooked these entrenched attitudes. He showed her His love, His compassion, His gentleness, and His kindness. He also was patient with her while she presented her side of her situation. Can you imagine the peace she must have experienced when she realized her sins were forgiven? What about the joy she exhibited when she left her water jug and hurried back to the village to tell everyone about having met the Christ? The entire experience encouraged her to faithfulness.

“This woman was in an appreciative state of mind. She was ready to receive the noblest revelation; for she was interested in the Scriptures, and the Holy Spirit had been preparing her mind to receive more light.”*

We are called to emulate Jesus in the way He reached out to everyone who needed Him. Let everyone with whom we have daily and even occasional contact see a shining light in us. Let the world experience God’s love through the fruit of the Spirit we are growing. Let us love one another, and let us vow that from this week forward, we will give the Holy Spirit permission to cultivate the growth of these fruits in our lives. Let God work a mighty transformation in your life so that others can see Christ in you, “the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27, NKJV).

REACT
Notice that the fruit began to grow immediately in the Samaritan woman.
What does this tell us about the nature of the fruit and the Holy Spirit’s work in
our lives once we desire to be transformed? ____________



Reflecting Christ Fully
Alden Ho, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A.
Friday Exploration
2 Sam. 12:1–13; Acts 13:22; Rev. 22:11

CONCLUDE
Jesus came not only to die for our sins but to show by example how we are to live. as we have studied this week, when our characters are patterned after the fruit of the Spirit, we will be reflecting the image of Christ. The call for us is to come out of the world and be separate. We must be willing to follow Jesus all the way. anything less is not enough and will leave us wanting.

CONSIDER
•Using graph paper to plot your spiritual life. Start from the time you were baptized to your present spiritual condition. Note the highs and lows. Set a goal of where you would like to be and where you are now. Then ask the lord to help you become more like Him.
•listing the people you have not forgiven and asking God to give you the strength to do so no matter what they have done to you. remember that forgiveness can be an ongoing process.
•Analyzing famous relationships in the Bible and listing the characteristics that made these relationships weak or strong. Which of these characteristics do you see in your relationships? •Which good characteristics do you need to develop? Which do you need to discard? Pray for the Holy Spirit’s help in doing both.
•Sharing what Christ has done for you with someone you don’t know.
•Listening to the song “People Need the lord”while sitting in a busy public place. Then read John 14:21; Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20. as you sit there, pray for the people around you.
•Meditating on John 3:16,17. Then as the Holy Spirit inspires you, journal
your thoughts about Christ’s death for you and for others—even the most despicable person you know.

CONNECT
Maranatha, chapters 32–60.
W. D. Frazee, Another Ark to Build (Harrisville, N.H.: Mountain Mission- ary Press, 1979); Felix a. lorenz, The Only Hope (Brushton, N.y.: TeaCH Services, 2003).

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