Have you ever been tempted by an orange you saw setting on your counter. You could almost taste its sweetness and freshness, but only to pick it up and take one bit and spit it back out because of its flavor? What you thought was going to be sweet and tasty turned out to be dry and nasty. It looked like an orange. It felt like an orange. It even smelled like an orange. But it didn’t taste like an orange should taste.

Our Christian life can be like this at times. There are times that it is so sweet and your life seems to be producing so much fruit. But unfortunately many believers offer a life that is the exact opposite. Their life is often sour and dry. As we talked a couple of weeks ago, the believer in Christ is to walk bearing God's nature. It is a life that is marked by the fruit of the Spirit. It is a life that is sweet and juicy.

(Galatians 5:22-23)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Remember, this fruit that is produced here is not produced by the believer but in the believer. God is in the business of producing high quality fruit that is abundant and that is eternal not lackluster and sparse. A genuine believer in Christ doesn’t just have some of this fruit but Holy Spirit produces all of it in the person. Whether or not a believer displays all the characteristics listed here depends on whether or not the person is hindering God's Spirit within.

So, the first of this fruit listed is Love. The Greek word here is "Agape". It is the love that loves regardless of feelings. It loves people even if they don’t seem to deserve it. This is the love of God! It is the love that was demonstrated by Christ on the cross. He loves the ungodly (Romans 5:6). He loves the unworthy sinner (Romans 5:8). He loves underserving enemies (Romans 5:10).

This kind of love from God is a gift. This kind of love is poured out by the Spirit within the heart of a person (Romans 5:5). According to Jesus it is the greatest thing in life (Mark 12:29-31)

29 “This is the most important,” Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. 31 “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other command greater than these.” I wonder how often this characteristic expresses itself in your life?

Another characteristic Paul mentions here is Joy. This is a deep seated pleasure and inner gladness. This person has the assurance and confidence in Christ and hope in Christ so deep that it just bursts forth in a cheerful heart. Cheerful hearts lead to cheerful actions and behavior.

Rounding out the first three fruit of the Spirit in this list by the Apostle Paul is Peace. This word means to bind or join together. For an individual it means he is bound and woven together with God and others. The Hebrew word is Shalom. It is possessing and experiencing the highest good within himself that is possible. It is to be whole.

You might say, but there is peace in the world in some senses. While that might sound wonderful and true it is only that; the peace of the world. This kind of peace is constantly searching, attempting to never have to deal with trouble and suffering. In all honesty it is never having to face reality. While positive thinking is good, it denies there is a problem at all.

There are three parts to the peace of God. First, it is peace that is deep within. It is more than feelings, attitude or thoughts. It's a restfulness that is undisturbed by circumstances and situations. God's peace is also peace that no one or nothing can take away. (John 16:33) I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” God's peace is a peace of assurance (Romans 8:28). It's knowing that your life is in the hands of God and that all things work to the good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Finally, God's peace is a peace that settles our minds and strengthens our wills.