The Fruit of the Spirit.
By A. A. Marks
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Gal. v, 22, 23. We have only to refer back to verses 19-21 of this chapter to learn what the works of the flesh are, and they are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like." The question comes up, Do we in any respect lack the fruit of the Spirit? and instead, are we manifesting any of the works of the flesh? Love is a fruit of the Spirit, and hatred is one of the works of the flesh. We read, this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. 1 John v, 3. We must not only keep the Sabbath, but it must be a heart-work in keeping all the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. God's word is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Heb. iv, 12. Again, faith is a fruit of the Spirit and idolatry is one of the works of the flesh. Let me ask, Do not some manifest that they have idols in their hearts by holding on to their earthly possessions, heaping treasures together for the last days, while they should be helping advance the cause of God with their substance? And do not they betray a lack of faith in the present truth by so doing? Then they lack one of the fruits of the Spirit, and it is to be feared that they are manifesting one of the works of the flesh by making an idol of what God has placed them as stewards over. Let us take heed lest our hearts be overcharged with cares of this life, and so that day come upon us unawares. The day of the Lord is coming, and in order for us to be ready we should examine ourselves by the word of God, and see that no one of the works of the flesh is found upon us, and that we are manifesting all the different graces of the Spirit. "Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. vi, 7, 8. There are no if's and and's in the case. One class shall reap corruption, the other shall reap life everlasting. I would tremble for myself as I view the straitness of the way, lest I should be found contaminated with the works of the flesh. My prayer is that God would purify me from all the works of the flesh, and help me, in every respect, to bear the fruit of the Spirit. A. A. MARKS. Jackson, Mich., March 4th, 1855.