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Fruit of the Spirit: An Introduction

Fruit of the Spirit: An Introduction

 

Greetings!  My name is Rev. Clayton Spronk, and it is my privilege to write for this blog on behalf of the RFPA.  The plan is for me to write at least two posts a month.  The RFPA has left it up to me to select the subjects, meaning that you can expect coverage of a wide variety of topics.  Though not every post will be devoted to the promotion of RFPA publications, I do plan to put a plug in for them as much as possible.

Thus, it seems appropriate to start out with a series of posts on one of the RFPA’s newest titles, The Fruit of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, by Rev. Richard J. Smit.  The book is available as a paperback and as an eBook.  My comments today are about the book’s Introduction.

In the Introduction Rev. Smit explains the “general truth of the fruit of the Spirit” (pg. 14).  Rev. Smit explains the identity of the Spirit who is the source of the fruit, what the fruit is in a general way, and how Gal. 5:23 excites in believers “an earnest desire to see that the Spirit continue his work in us” (pg. 19).  For a fuller explanation of these subjects you will have to read the chapter.

 

The Introduction indicates that this book has many strengths:

  • It is distinctively Reformed.  In this Introduction Rev. Smit speaks of salvation as the sovereign work of God without any help from man in connection with both justification and sanctification.  

  • It is pastoral.  This book is based on a series of sermons Rev. Smit preached when he was pastor of the Immanuel Protestant Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada.  The aim of the book is to build up the faith and life of the members of the church, young and old.  Anyone who reads this book seriously will find good spiritual nourishment.

  • It is exegetical.  Rev. Smit faithfully interprets and explains the teaching of the Bible.  He capably explains the meaning of Galatians 5:22-23 in light of its context.  One who reads this book carefully will learn the right way to study and interpret the Bible.  

  • It is thought-provoking.  Each chapter ends with “Questions for Discussion.”  That these questions are for “discussion” indicate that they were written with a view to use in group study.  Combined with the content of the Introduction these questions are well suited for group discussion.

I highly recommend the book for personal use as well as for use in Bible study society, especially a young people’s society. 

I look forward to reading and commenting on the rest of the book.  I will be glad to interact with you in the comments section under this and future posts too, so please feel free to comment!

 

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

The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

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This article was written by guest blogger Rev. Clayton Spronk, pastor of Peace Protestant Reformed Church in Lansing, IL. Rev. Spronk will be blogging 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. 







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