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Originally published in the Polk County Enterprise, December 8 & 15, 1991

I once had occasion to mow a pasture that had been neglected for some years. It had various kinds of tree saplings that had grown up in it:  pine, oak, hickory, persimmon, and others. I was told to save some types of trees but to mow down the rest. As I mowed, I had to quickly identify each tree by its structure and leaves. For the most part, this was not difficult. A tree is known by its fruit.

Likewise, the Christian is identified by his or her fruit:  by actions, speech, sometimes dress, and the activities he or she chooses to participate in. Such are the attributes by which one is judged, not only by other people, but by God. While Christians are saved by grace, our actions are also important (see 1 Corinthians 3:9-17).

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul the Apostle lists nine fruit which are born of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. These are to be the attributes of every Christian. But what do these attributes mean in the real world, in daily living? And how do you get them?

The remainder of this article is now included in:

Christ in Us:  The Exalted Christ and the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit How does the Holy Spirit indwell the believer, and why should one seek that experience?  In this collection of articles based on over twenty years' personal experience as well as academic study, the author relates Spirit Baptism and spiritual gifts to their source, the exalted Jesus Christ.  He describes this Exaltation of Christ and constructs a theory of how the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, drawing from psychology and medical science as well as Scripture.  Finally, he proposes a new Theology of Exaltation that sees the whole sweep of church history as the ongoing glorification of Christ and Redemption of the world. ISBN 978-0-6151-3840-4 paperback, 192 pp., 6 x 9 in., with index and appendices.

God's Trombone Books by Paul Hughes

Outline of Article

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Gentleness and Goodness

6. Faith

7. Meekness

8. Self-Control (Temperance)