As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to an abundant and fruitful life. What does it mean to lead a fruitful life and how is that accomplished?
Over the last couple months, I’ve studied the fruit of the Spirit, as detailed in Galatians 5, using the devotional kit from Illustrated Faith for the month of May called Living a Fruitful Life. Here is a recap of what I learned while studying and journaling through it.
These recaps, by the way, are a consolidation of the same reflections that I share on Instagram; sometimes with a bit more detail added. Last time, I shared my reflections for April’s devotional, which was based on Proverbs 31, and that can be found here: The Proverbs 31 Woman.
The author of Living a Fruitful Life is the lovely Shanna Noel herself; owner and founder of Illustrated Faith. In the devotional, she reminds us of the abundant life in Christ to which we’re called. A life that is “marked by deep joy, genuine love, and lasting impact… fuelled by the Holy Spirit and rooted in God’s goodness.” A fruitful life that reflects the character of Christ. And she encourages us to discover and be intentional about growing in the different attributes of the fruit of the Spirit by His leading.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23, 25
The word “fruit” used in this verse means the yield or result of having the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts. In reading through what Shanna shares about each attribute, it became clearer to me the harmonious nature – the wholeness – of the singular fruit of the Spirit. Each attribute does not act, exist, or grow on its own but they’re all related and necessary to one another.
There are nine attributes so I’ll split my reflections into two posts. In this first half, I’ll go over love, joy, peace, and patience. In the second half, I’ll share about kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and that can be found here – Living a Fruitful Life, Part 2.
My process for study and journaling
I really liked the idea of having a visual reminder of the attributes, and what each entails, that I can refer back to while on this incredible journey of life! So, instead of my usual faith journal, I used a standup flip album (Amazon find) and made a card per attribute using 6×6 scrapbook paper from my stash, as well as elements from the devotional kit itself.
In addition to the devotional kit, I also used Hebrew and Greek alpha stamps (shown in the photos) by Sweet ‘N Sassy Stamps which were a gift from a sweet friend. I used Bible Hub to dig deeper into the word for each attribute and wanted to include the original word on the cards. They serve as a reminder to me to look at the cultural context in which scripture is written in order to fully grasp its meaning.
I’ve really been enjoying these new Annotated booklets by Illustrated Faith! They contain the scriptures referenced in the devotional. And it’s a really convenient, and visual, way to engage with the text, and write out notes, questions, etc. as I study it which aids in my understanding.
Now, let’s dive into the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit – what they mean and how we grow in them.
Love
Rooted and established in God’s love, by His own hand, we are then called to love Him, others, and ourselves. Growing up and living in a world that emphasizes romantic love, it’s important to understand what is love as God instructs and exemplifies, if we are to live this out well.
Shanna reminds us that God is Love and encourages us to look at the definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 through the lens of 1 John 4. She reminds us that love requires sacrifice, vulnerability, and humility.
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
John 15:5, 10
Love is holy; as our God, who is Love, is also holy.
If it wasn’t, then the cross would not have been necessary. Our ability to love comes from abiding in His love. We demonstrate that love in keeping His commandments; that is, living as He’s instructed.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
Love is gracious.
It is compassionate, charitable, and sacrificial in seeking the wellbeing of others. It requires goodness, patience, and kindness; fruit of His Spirit. Let there be no doubt of our love. When we confess to love God and others, that isn’t mere emotion but also action; it should look like something true.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Joy
Shanna describes joy as being a “deep-seated delight that comes from knowing and experiencing the goodness of God in our lives.” She reminds us that no matter what circumstances we face, we can find joy in the presence of our loving Father.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Joy is the outcome of a life surrendered to the Holy Spirit.
It requires faithfulness and grows through praise, thanksgiving, and prayer. It requires love and an acute awareness of His presence. Grace says that we have all that we need, and there’s so much joy in that!
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:5, 11
A joyful life is one that is truly surrendered to His word and will.
So, remember Him – focus your mind on His ways, His deeds and wonderful works and what they reveal about His nature. Drink from the cup – seek His will and walk in obedience by His strength. And then, behold our God – taste and see that He is indeed good.
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
A joyful heart promotes peace.
Peace requires joy. Joy requires truth; where there isn’t joy likely resides a lie. Beloved, do you truly know that you have Everything?
I share more about Joy in Joyful Obedience, the devotional by Illustrated Faith for March, for which I was the author.
Peace
Shanna describes peace as “a daily choice, a moment-by-moment decision to walk with God, to trust God, and to lean on His promises”.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way… Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth… “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:1-2, 8, 10
Peace is the result of living a life that is led by God.
It requires trust, which is faithfulness. Peace also requires self-control – that is, mastery over self – to do as He instructs and by His indwelling Holy Spirit. To not let our minds be derailed by fear and respond with fear. But to take our thoughts captive and hold them up to the light of His word to recognize the lie and respond with the relevant truth. To live peacefully in mind, body, and spirit. And to live peaceably as peacemakers who are now at peace with God because of Jesus Christ.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Patience
Shanna tells us that “patience is more than just waiting; it is how we wait. It’s a calm endurance based on the truth that God’s timing is perfect”.
Patience leads to rest and contentment.
In truly believing that to God’s timing is indeed perfect, we can then respond by letting go and slowing down. We can wait on Him to do what He promised. We can be satisfied in Him in that wait. We can rest in Him and be still – cease the internal battle, cast the burden onto Him, and listen to what He has to say on the matter.
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
James 5:7-8
Patience in suffering produces steadfastness.
Steadfastness is an unwavering constancy. It requires trust and peace. Scripture instructs us to take courage and strengthen our heart in the wait. We do that by focusing on growing in righteousness in the process. We can also encourage ourselves by looking at the examples of steadfastness in the God’s word; take Job, for example. We find in that story a reminder of who God is – He is good and merciful.
I hope you enjoyed this recap! You can check out the #IF_FruitfulLife hashtag on Instagram for more inspiration. Also, visit IllustratedFaith.com for the kit (if still available), the digital version and/or any related products. Stay tuned for part 2 of this devotional’s recap coming soon!
