Spiritual Fruits DISPLAYED

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]. (Hebrews 12:11)

Continually pursue peace with everyone, and the sanctification without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, obedient; filled with mercy and it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And peace, for those who strive for peace, is the seed of which the harvest is righteousness. (James 3:17-18)) Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high,

And the wilderness becomes a fertile field,

And the fertile field is valued as a forest.

Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,

And righteousness will live in the fertile field.

And the effect of righteousness will be peace,

And the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust. (Isaiah 32:15-17) O, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous [those in right standing with You];

For the righteous God tries the hearts and minds.

My shield and my defense depend on God,

Who saves the upright in heart. (Psalm 7:9-10)

HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT. HE MUST SEARCH FOR PEACE [with God, with self, with others] AND PURSUE IT EAGERLY [actively—not merely desiring it]. FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE [looking favorably] UPON THE RIGHTEOUS (the upright),

AND HIS EARS ARE ATTENTIVE TO THEIR PRAYER (eager to answer),

BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO PRACTICE EVIL. (1 Peter 3:11-12) So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. (Romans 14:19) Demonstrating all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful]. (Ephesians 4:2-3) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)