22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
One or two further thoughts before going on to the next trilogy of graces: the joy of the Lord, as was implied in the previous Note, is not a false emotionalism, something to be worked up, but something with a solid basis and foundation. When the Spirit of God works in a man's life the miracle of regeneration, by which old things are passed away and all things are made new - there is joy! For we are brought to love the God we used to hate, and to enjoy the company of Him from whom we used to turn in fear and embarrassment! As the Psalmist says, 'Happy is that people whose God is the Lord'. Two results flow from this, one in us, and the other in the work of God. In us, this is calculated to produce a carefree, childlike naturalness, free from pose or unreality. This does not conflict with the basic seriousness of the gospel, for seriousness is not sadness. D.L. Moody was one of the happiest and joyous of Christians, yet he could not speak of a lost soul without tears in his eyes. In the work, this will produce an irresistible gaiety in the onward march of the gospel. The sheer attractiveness of the early Christians, and of every true movement of the Spirit, is one of the great hallmarks of genuine Christian experience. What can withstand it? It took the old world by storm. Let us notice once more the paradox of grace and command in all this. Love, joy, peace, these are the fruit of the Spirit; yet the divine imperative is issued in connection with each: Thou shalt love...Rejoice in the Lord…Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. In this, as in much else in the Christian life, God's commands are His enablings!