HOW IS THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT PRODUCED?

BEN F. VICK, JR.

          “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).  These are the inspired words of the apostle Paul. They are found within the context of a contrast between the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21) and the fruit of the Spirit.

Some time ago, a well-known brother urged us to “develop the richness of the gift of the Holy Spirit to the maximum” in our lives by producing the fruit of the Spirit mentioned here by Paul.  We are told, and would not deny, that the Holy Spirit “helps us” in producing this fruit. But the question is: How does the Holy Spirit produce this fruit in our lives? He either produces this fruit directly with no intermediary and no medium, or through an instrument or agent. This brother clearly left the impression that the Holy Spirit operates on the heart of the Christian directly and without medium in producing the fruit of the Spirit.

In the passage under consideration, the word “fruit” means that which is produced by growth.  The prepositional phrase “of the Spirit” indicates the source or cause of the fruit. The means by which the Holy Spirit develops this fruit is the word of God. Paul commanded, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Eph. 6:17). Peter exhorts, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (I Pet. 2:2). Spiritual growth comes by our compliance with the word of God. But, please note briefly each characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit.

Love. The love under consideration here means a love for God and fellowman.  How does one develop such a disposition? As one studies the Bible, he learns of God’s great love for us (Rom. 5:8-9; John 3:16; I John 3:16) and the love that we should, in turn, have for God (Matt. 22:34-40). We also learn the attitude and actions we should demonstrate for our brethren and fellowman from the pages of the Holy Writ (Lk. 10:25-37; Acts 2:44-45; Gal. 6:10; I Pet. 1:22; 2:17). In what way could the Holy Spirit produce love in my heart for God and man other than through his word?

Joy. The Spirit produces joy and gladness in our hearts when we are obedient to his word. Those early Christians who continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine were joyful. They ate with gladness. They enjoyed their new life (Acts 2:42-47). When the eunuch came up out of the water, he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:39). The Psalmist said, “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart” (Psa. 19:8). Isaiah prophesied of a new day, in which we now live, when he said, “Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:3). Does the Holy Spirit in some direct fashion work upon one’s heart to produce joy? If so, we have no scripture for it.

Peace. The peace which the Holy Spirit produces comes when one has been reconciled to God (Eph. 2:13-17). Sin alienates one from God (Isa. 59:1-2). It is the word which is the means of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18-20). Christ made it possible for us to be reconciled to God. It is only when we have been reconciled to God that we can have that “peace which passeth all understanding” (Phil. 4:7). The Psalmist wrote, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend” (Psa. 119:165). What peace does the Holy Spirit produce separate and apart from his word?

Longsuffering. This means “patient endurance under injuries inflicted by others.” The Spirit produces this by one’s reading of the life of Christ and what he endured and then one’s going and doing likewise (Heb. 12:1-3). Or he produces it by my being encouraged to follow Paul’s example (I Cor. 11:1; II Cor. 11:23-28). Does the Holy Spirit supply one with longsuffering in some way other than through the word? If so, where’s the passage?

Gentleness. This means kindly disposition toward one’s neighbors. Again, what about the parable of the good Samaritan? Is it not found in the New Testament to encourage us to produce this characteristic in our lives? Do you believe the Holy Spirit works directly on one’s heart to produce gentleness? If so, cite the verse.

Goodness. According to Lightfoot, this quality refers to “active goodness as an energetic principle.” In Peter’s sermon to Cornelius, as wells as in the gospel accounts, we learn that Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38). If we are followers of Jesus, will not his example in the New Testament be incentive enough to serve others? Does the Holy Spirit in some incomprehensible way—without medium—put goodness into my life? If so, where is the scriptural reference?

Faith. The word faith means faithfulness. Why do gospel preachers urge members of the church to study? Is it just for the purpose of accumulating knowledge? No. It is in order to encourage faithfulness. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17). How can one continue in the faith if he does not study the faith? To teach either explicitly or implicitly that the Holy Spirit produces faith separate and apart from the word of God is utterly false.

Meekness. This is gentle submissiveness. Does the Holy Spirit produce this separate and apart from the word? If he does, then it seems one would be unable to thwart the Spirit’s “urgings” of this quality. Yet, Paul commanded, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit,” and, “Quench not the Spirit.” Meekness, a gentle submissiveness, comes from God’s word when we read, as a medicine for haughtiness and pride, Job 38-42 and meditate upon the judgement scene when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess (Phil. 2:9-11).

Temperance. This is the holding in of one’s passions and appetites. It is self-control. Self-control is learned when we read of those who failed to practice it and the consequences which befell them       (I Cor. 10:6; Num. 11:4, 33-34; II Sam. 11,12). We learn from the Bible self-control as we read of those who practiced it (Gen, 39, Matt. 4). Temperance is not something one gets directly from the Holy Spirit; it is what one practices as he applies the teachings of the Spirit to his life.

This same brother inquired regarding the subject of the Spirit’s indwelling, “Must we be loyal to the old-time debaters and brethren’s favorite arguments even if they contradict plain verses?” Perhaps, it would have been good if the brother had told us who the old-time debaters were and what arguments had been made which contradict plain verses. Of course, the answer to his question is: “No,” if the debaters and arguments contradict the scriptures. But who and what are they?

Brethren, in conviction and conversion of the alien sinner and in sanctification and edification of the Christian, the Holy Spirit operates only through the word.

ACCOUNTABILITY

BEN F. VICK, JR.

"And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward" (Luke 16:1-2).

One definition of "accountable" is "liable to be called on to render an account; answerable; as, every man is accountable to God for his conduct." All of us are accountable. When the rich man had heard that his steward had wasted his goods, he called him into account. Some seem to think they are so high and mighty that they are not answerable to anyone. But no person is so great that he or she is not accountable to someone.

Children are a blessing from the Lord (Gen 4:1; 33:5; 41:50-52; Psa.127:3). Parents have a great responsibility to rear their children right. The Law of Moses required parents to instill a love for the Lord in their children, which entailed regular, consistent teaching. "Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates" (Deut. 6:3-9). What words did Moses command them? Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and might.

Question: Are you, as a parent, instilling a love for the Lord or a passion for this world in the hearts of your children? Each parent shall give an account of their stewardship as to whether they have squandered or wasted opportunities to teach their children what is most important in life. It has been said:  I cannot hear what you say because your actions ring so loudly in my ears. I do not remember all my godly mother said, but I recall her great and godly example. What shall your children remember about you? What shall a child profit if it gains all the education that can be obtained (and I am not against education) only to grow up and lose its soul? Are we investing in our children's souls by teaching them how to worship?

Employees are accountable to their employers. We see this principle in the instructions given to servants in the New Testament. Paul wrote, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Eph.6:5-8). Do you give a day's work for a day's pay? There are too many slackers in various areas of employment today. There must have been some in the first century, too, or Paul would not have addressed servants' obligations to masters.  

Members of the church are accountable to the elders of the church. The writer of Hebrews said, "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls…." (Heb.13:17). Elders or shepherds are only authorized to make decisions in the realm of judgment. All members, including each elder, are under the oversight of the eldership. Elders are not to lord over God's heritage. They should take into consideration the congregation's interest and welfare. But congregational rule is not the teachings of the New Testament. Any decision that affects the congregation is to be made by the elders, not one man, a group of men, or the congregation. Otherwise, we will have departed from the teachings of God's Word. The work of the church runs smoothly when members let the elders know that they will be out of town or that they are sick. This is especially true for men assigned certain work in worship assemblies. How long would one keep a job if he did not tell his employer he would be away? It is also good to let the shepherds know when one of his loved ones is sick. Then we can announce it, and all can pray for that person.

The same verse cited above about members also teaches that elders will give an account to God for those placed under their charge. The writer said, "for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Heb. 13:17). Every member of the body of Christ is valuable. Each needs to be fed the Word of God. The shepherds are to tend the flock. In commenting on the two Greek words, both translated as "feed" in John 21:15-17, Trench says:

The lesson, in fact, which we learn from this is a most important one, and one which the Church, and all that bear rule in the Church, have need diligently to lay to heart; this namely, that whatever else of discipline and rule may be superadded thereto, still, the feeding of the flock, the finding for them of spiritual food, is the first and last; nothing else will supply the room of this, nor may be allowed to put this out of that foremost place which by right it should occupy. How often, in a false ecclesiastical system, the preaching of the Word loses its preeminence; the βόσκειν [Greek Word for "feed" in John 21:15,17] falls into the background, is swallowed up in the ποιμαίνειν [Greek Word for "feed" in John 21:16.] which presently becomes no true ποιμαίνειν, because it is not a βόσκειν as well, but such a ‘shepherding' rather as God's Word by the prophet Ezekiel has denounced (xxxiv.2,3, 8, 10; Zech.xi.15-17; Matt. xxiii.)

All will one day give an account to God. Paul wrote, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor 5:10; Rom. 14:10).

GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY

Foster Ramsey

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”  —Psalms 90:12.

All of us have heard the expression “growing old gracefully.”  There are those who are able to accomplish this, and there are others who do the exact opposite.  David’s prayer was that he might number his days to apply himself to wisdom.  This is essential in growing old gracefully. Those who reach old age with happiness filling the heart are those who have properly applied themselves at every age level of life.  Wisdom is essential in accomplishing this.

Man does not live an unprofitable life up until he reaches the beginning of old age, and then suddenly change so that he can “grow old gracefully.”  Those who come to their last years of life with an unpleasant disposition, with a bitter attitude toward others, and with a caustic outlook on life in general; reach such an unhappy state because they have been headed in that direction all of their lives.

What are you doing with your days right now, whatever your age may be?  Are they being used wisely and well?  Are you making it possible for others to be your friends, to be happy because of what you do for them?  If so, then you will probably grow old gracefully, extending benefits to all who know you. 

KEEPING MEMBERS INTERESTED

 Gordon Teel

Often I hear the complaint that the elders do not give the members enough things to do to keep them interested.  Is this where the trouble lies, or elsewhere?  Could it be that the trouble lies with the recent convert? Or, perhaps, with some preacher who has taught that elders must keep all members busy?

Yesterday, I baptized a man of some sixty years who had lived a very sinful life.  Before he was completely dry from his baptism he had started talking with his brother-in-law, who had accompanied him to his baptism, about his own need for the Christ.  Here is the secret of spiritual growth.  This is a work which needs no eldership direction. The love of Christ should constrain us to speak for Him.

I remember another conversion where a young married man was baptized by me one week-night.  The next morning before breakfast there was a knock on my door.  This young man had gone straight to his brother’s house and talked to him all night. At sunrise he came bringing his brother for baptism.  And some people say that they have nothing to do!

The conception of church work which is held by many is such a limited thing!  To such people, “church work” is preaching, teaching a class, waiting on the Lord’s table, ushering, counting the money, leading the singing, leading a prayer.  These things are important.  But are they church work?

I often wonder what happened to that poor Ethiopian eunuch?  A babe in Christ way off from all other Christians. There were no elders to watch over him or tell him what to do...no one to “give him something to do in order to keep him interested.” He had not learned that “work” has to be “organized.” He probably just opened his mouth and started talking about the Son of God who had saved him and had given him so much peace and joy. (At least that is what the other Christians “unorganized” were doing in his day—see Acts 8:4).  And if that happened, you can be sure that he would not be alone very long.

If you have been one of those who have been losing interest in the church because no one has given you anything to do, may I give you the Lord’s word? “Go home to they friends and tell how great things the Lord hath done for thee.” Mark 5:19.  Is it possible that you may be losing interest in Christ? In the one who died that you might live? God have mercy upon you if you have nothing to say about the One who loved you so!

I am not objecting to organizing our work. I feel, however, that some churches are “organized to death.” They spend most of their time “working with organization.” I believe, too, that we are destroying initiative in people. They are afraid to “step out” and do anything on their own. They have little leavening quality. Each Christian is supposed to let HIS INFLUENCE as “salt” and “light” move out to those about him.  “As the SPIRIT departs from the church there are desperate efforts to substitute for it various forms, ceremonies, organizations, and sundry activities.” 

—Eastridge Exhorter

PREACH THE WORD

BEN F. VICK, JR.

         Paul, the prison-bound apostle, wrote to Timothy, the young preacher: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim. 4:1-4).  One might think that this solemn charge to Timothy, who had traveled on many evangelistic journeys with Paul, was superfluous.  But Timothy, as well as we, needed to be reminded of our obligation to the Lord.

“Preach” is from a Greek word which means to proclaim, or herald, as a town crier.  We are told:

“The herald was someone who had important news to bring.  He often announced an athletic event or religious festival, or functioned as a political messenger, the bringer of some news or command from the king’s court.  He was to have a strong voice and proclaim his message with vigor without lingering to discuss it.  The herald’s most important qualification was that he faithfully represent or report the word of the one by whom he had been sent.  He was not to be ‘original’ but his message was to be that of another.”  (Rienecker/Rogers, Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, p. 619).

In a brief study of the job description of a herald, we learn that he was a mouthpiece, devoid of all personal significance, without power to modify the message entrusted to him.  It was the message that was all-important.  Thus, preachers should lose themselves in the message they are delivering.

The message that is to be delivered is “the word.”  There are other terms which are synonymous with “the word.”; yet, each has a different nuance.  In the same context, Paul writes of “sound doctrine” and “the truth.” In other places the message is called “the gospel” (Mk. 16:15; 1 Cor. 15:1-4), “the faith” (Acts 6:7; Gal. 1:23; Jude 3), “Christ” or “Jesus” (Acts 8:5, 35), and “the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18).

The time of delivering this message is given in Paul’s charge to Timothy. He wrote, “...be instant in season, out of season.” Brother Marshall Keeble said this meant to preach it when they want it and when they don’t.  The American Standard states, “...be urgent in season, out of season.” Gospel preachers must see the urgency of the message.  Though we must be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves,” we cannot wait for a convenient season.  Gospel preaching is always in season.

Preaching the word entails reproving.  The word in the original means, “...to prove with demonstrative evidence, to convict, to reprove. It means to so rebuke another, with such effectual feeling of the victorious arms of the truth, as to bring one, if not always to a confession, yet at least to a conviction of, sin.” (Op. cit., p. 647). In the minds of some today, to fulfill this divine obligation would be to demonstrate an unloving attitude toward another. But those who think this way have drunk too long from the philosophers of the world.  Because one loves the truth, his own soul and the souls of others, he will reprove sin (Eph. 4:15; Rev. 3:19).

Besides reproving, there is rebuking to be done in preaching. The Greek word from which “rebuke” is translated carries the idea of censure and sharp rebuke.  If one is unwilling to execute this command, he need not get into preaching; or if he is a preacher and refuses to obey this command, he should get out. Paul commanded Titus, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no man despise thee” (Tit. 2:15).

A very important part of preaching is exhortation. Paul said to “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” Those faithful to the word of God need to be encouraged to remain steadfast. If a father constantly criticizes his child, he will grow discouraged (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21). Preachers must regularly consider the spiritual food which they give to the congregation. “Am I preaching ‘all the counsel of God’?” is a query preachers must constantly consider.

The proclaiming of God’s word must be characterized by long-suffering. Sometimes preachers get discouraged because they see little results from their efforts. One might feel as did Elijah. Yet, preachers are admonished to be patient. Don’t quit. Never underestimate the value of one voice crying in the wilderness. Let us sow the seed and leave the increase to God. (I Cor. 3:6). Paul exhorted, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).  Remember: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:8-11). 

The reason given in the text as to why Timothy was to preach the word is because the time could come when men would no longer stand, or bear, sound doctrine. Thus, they will heap to themselves “teachers, having itching ears”; i.e., teachers who aim to please their audiences. Some of these teachers are in the church today. I talked with one the other day, questioning his advocacy of choirs and solos in the worship. When I asked him what he believed the Bible teaches concerning the kind of music that is authorized in the church, he in essence said, “I don’t know; what do you think?” He was “field testing,” i.e., gathering information and then was going to formulate his beliefs. But preachers are not in the polling business. Why not go to the Bible for one’s information and then preach it? As brother Larimore said:

“Fortunately, I have never been drilled in elocution, oratory, gesture, etc. I escaped all that in my boyhood days, and providentially was spared that ruinous torture after I grew up. To my mind, it would be a wonderful advance in the right direction to spend all the time wasted in colleges and other schools in teaching how to gesture, etc., in teaching how to kill snakes, how to get out of a neighbor’s water melon patch when you hear something drap, ’how to pull a hen off the roost,’ and other useful and practical things of that kind. The way to preach is to preach. Just get full of spirit and truth and turn yourself loose. As a good old brother once expressed it, ’Just fill the barrel full, knock the bung out, and let ’er come.’ That’s the way to preach.” (Larimore And His Boys, p. 150).