The Holy SpiritSample

What is the result of being filled with the Spirit?

We grow in our relationship with Jesus and are transformed to be more like him, bearing the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

What was God’s original purpose in creating human beings—and not just human beings in general, but you and me in particular? What did God have in mind?

Genesis 1 tells us that God created human beings in his image and likeness. In other words, God created us to be like him in love and holiness and to take care of the world on his behalf.

But in the New Testament, the section of the Bible that begins with Jesus’ birth, we learn even more. We discover that Jesus of Nazareth is God, and that he is the true image and likeness of God.

The New Testament also tells us that when Genesis says we were made in God’s image and likeness, it means that we were created in the image and likeness of Jesus. So we were created to be like Jesus, who is God.

So, when we put all of this together, we see that human beings were created to be like Jesus in the world.

What a daunting task! How on earth can we live up to it?

That’s where the gift of the Holy Spirit comes in.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, he gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could accomplish God’s purposes in the world. The Holy Spirit not only cleanses us of our sins. He not only gives us a relationship with Jesus. But the Holy Spirit fills us with God’s own life and power in order to make us more like Jesus.

In the letter to the Galatians, Paul gives us a list of Jesus-like character traits that the Holy Spirit wants to give us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Take a moment to examine your life and ask yourself if you display each of the fruit of the Spirit. In the ways that you fall short, invite God through the Holy Spirit to change you to be more like his Son, Jesus.