This is the last post about Rev. Smit’s book, The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Rev. Smit closes the book with 5 concluding thoughts. Here is a summary of these thoughts.

1. God’s eternal decree of election is the ultimate source of the fruit of the Spirit.

2. The Holy Spirit produces and cultivates the fruit of the Spirit by the means of grace found in the church. 

3. Those who produce the fruit of the Spirit enjoy “true freedom.”

4. Humble dependence upon Jesus Christ is necessary for producing the fruit of the Spirit.

5. The hope of the elect is that they will one day “attain perfection in the fruit of the Spirit.”

This last chapter also includes helpful questions for discussion.

Although this last chapter does not treat any of the 9 aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, I think it is an important part of the book. It gives Rev. Smit opportunity to treat the last phrase in Galatians 5:23, “against such there is no law.” Though the explanation is brief it is helpful. I’ll leave it up to you to read the explanation for yourself.

I also found Rev. Smit’s point that we will “attain perfection in the fruit of the Spirit” in heaven fascinating. This point made me think of 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).” Rev. Smit explained in the beginning of the book that love is “fundamental” for all of the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit. So if love abides forever that means that joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance abide forever also. The fruit of the Spirit is a heavenly treasure! Moth and rust will not corrupt it. It is a heavenly blessings that comes from Jesus Christ through the outpouring of his Spirit. And when the end comes on the day of the return of Jesus Christ, the fruit of the Spirit will abide forever and be perfected in God’s elect. What encouragement for believers to work diligently to produce and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit!

I highly recommend the chapter and the entire book. Enjoy it by yourself. Use it for a discussion group. Lend or give a copy to a friend. May God grant the grace to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Other articles by Rev. Spronk on The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ:

The Fruit of the Spirit: An Introduction

The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

The Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

The Fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering

The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness

The Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness

The Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

The Fruit of the Spirit: Meekness

The Fruit of the Spirit: Temperance

______________________________________________________________________________________

This article was written by guest blogger Rev. Clayton Spronk, pastor of Peace Protestant Reformed Church in Lansing, IL. Rev. Spronk blogs for us several times a month, taking us first through a brief study of Richard Smit's newly released book, The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. If there is a topic you'd like to Rev. Spronk to address, please contact us.