Here at GVC, our May teachings have started on such a powerful and spirit-filled note. Excerpt from the Pastor's message highlights five truths about the fruit of the Spirit:

• The fruit of the spirit is not a gift, you work for it by leaning on the Most High. (Reference Scripture: John 15)
  

It is something for us as children of God to strive for not when we feel like it, but, daily. Thus the fruit of the Spirit is a product of allowing God to work within us. Example, It is possible to see an individual with a prophetic gift (1 Corithians 12) , but they lack love and patience. As believers, if we lean on God and depend on Him fruit grows in our lives.

• The fruit of the Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit at work in us (Reference Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23)
  

It is not by any work or effort of our own that we produce the fruit of the Spirit, but by solely by the working of the Spirit. When we come to Christ, we are filled with the Holy Spirit which produces good fruit inside of us.

• Fruit is a byproduct of the Holy Spirit.
• The fruit of the Spirit is one fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 reads, “ But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

The use of the singular noun of ‘fruit’ within the scripture, makes us aware that one fruit is produced within us with nine different characteristics. Example., Within a banana many benefits are found such as; magnesium, potassium, vitamin B and protein. Yet one banana has all of these benefits. It is impossible to consume such a fruit, and
claim your bodywork has not received Vitamin B. Similarly, mirroring the fruit of the Spirit within the believers of the living God! As follows, it is not possible to have love but have patience.

It is key to note, the foremost fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 is love. The bedrock of the fruit of the Spirit is love. It is undeniable that with love, all the characteristics follow.

• A fruit is a product of maturity.

Only a mature tree will produce fruit, an immature tree will generate nothing. When the Spirit of the Lord matures within us, it is at that moment fruit can be produced. Maturity is not concerned with how long we have been in church, it is deals with the nature of commitment and intimacy of our relationship with the Lord. Fruit of the Spirit can be seen within the first stages of a reborn child of God, it is all possible with our seriousness to truly yeild to God.

• The fruit of the Spirit is not a mere command, it is life.

The fruit of the Spirit is the life of the Spirit, it is the life of God in us! Having an awakened awareness of how vital it is to have the fruit of the Spirit, we will take it seriously. The presence of the fruit of the spirit is evidence that our character is becoming more like Christ.

Our focus of the month is Fruit of the Spirit [Galatians 5 verse 22-23]. Please feel free to view our inspirational photos and be fruitful. Amen