The Character of Christ in Us

Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

The fruit is the character qualities of Christ, only seen clearly by other believers who have the fruit.

They are Spiritual qualities that dominate the believer's character and lead to good deeds.

We cannot judge by the good deeds alone because even bad people can have good deeds to impress others. The fruit is a Spiritual character that can be discerned by other believers.

John 15:4-5 "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing."

Romans 8:13-14 "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God."

Many people will think they are going to heaven and accepted by God for their good deeds, and will be sorely disappointed at the judgment.

Matthew 7:21-23 "21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

For those who think their good deeds saves them, you must know that only those who are transformed by Christ will see heaven. We are not transformed by our deeds, but by His power when we have trusted in Him.

Anyone who is attempting to change himself, fix himself, without Christ, will not be saved. It is only by believing Christ and desiring to be transformed by Him that He will do all the work in you.

Trust in Him, not in yourself!