Fruitful Living
The fruit of the spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:22-25
INTRODUCTION
The contrast between results and fruit is important. For example, a machine in a factory works and turns out a product, but it can never manufacture fruit. Fruit grows out of life, and in the case of the believer, it is the Spirit – “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.” –Gal. 5:5 (NIV)
When we think of “works” we think of effort, labour, strain and toil but when we think of “fruit” we think of the unfolding of life – beauty, quietness, maturity. Apostle Paul begins the fruit of the Spirit with “love” because all the others are really an outgrowth of love.
Fruit grows in a climate blessed with abundance of the Spirit and the word – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Gal. 5:25 Living by the Spirit, therefore, means “keeping in step with the Spirit” – not running ahead nor lagging behind. Living by the Spirit involves the study of and mediation on the Word of God, prayers, worship,praise and fellowship with God’s people. It also means “pulling out the weeds” so that the seed of the Word can take root and bear fruit.
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
In contrast to the acts of the sinful nature is a God-centred, spiritually focused lifestyle that reflects the evidence of “the fruit of the Spirit.” This lifestyle is identified by a godly, Christlike character that is produced and developed in Christians as we allow the Holy Spirit to direct and influence our lives. Through the Spirit’s power, we are able to overcome and destroy sin’s power – particularly the acts of the sinful nature – and to enjoy the benefits of their personal relationship with God. The fruit of the Spirit includes:
- “Love” known in Greek as agape, refers to the selfless, God-kind of love that cares for and promotes what is best for another person without a hidden motive of personal gain. This kind of love is more than a willingness to make personal sacrifices for the cause of Christ and the benefit of others.
- “Joy” known in Greek as chara, is a strong inner sense of gladness that is not based on circumstances but on the love, grace, blessings, promises and nearness of God that belong to those who follow Christ. Ultimate joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at His second coming we will fully realise this ultimate joy. He who lives within us will fulfil His final purpose for us.
- “Peace” known as eirënë in Greek is the inner calm and contentment based on the knowledge that one is in a right relationship with God and that God has everything under control. God’s peace is the opposite of human anxiety. It comes when we call on God from hearts that are fully devoted to Christ and His Word. By committing our cares to God, we can determine not to worry about them because they are now His concern.
- “Patience” known as makrothumia in Greek, means endurance, perseverance and the ability to wait without becoming angry, annoyed or upset. It includes the ability to tolerate being hurt or provoked without losing one’s temper. Patience is maintaining hope not giving in to despair.
- “Kindness” known as chrëstotësin Greek, involves true and active consideration for others. It includes not wanting to hurt anyone or cause anyone pain.
- “Goodness” known as agathösunö in Greek, is a character trait that causes someone to do what is right and beneficial for others. It includes a passion for truth and a hatred of evil. It is often expressed in acts of kindness or in challenging and correcting evil and injustice.
- “Faithfulness” known in Greek as pistis, is a firm and unwavering loyalty and devotion to a person to whom one is united by promise or commitment. It assumes being honest and trustworthy. It requires actively following through on one’s commitments.
- “Gentleness” known in Greek as prautës, refers to the quality shown by a mild friendliness or forbearance, especially to an enemy when harshness would be the expected behaviour. Like its synonym, epieikeia, the Greek word interpreted “gentleness” has more to do with one who follows the proper way of life, and later it referred to forbearance and mildness. A gentle person will act mercifully and appropriately.
- “Self-control” known in Greek as egkrateia, is the discipline of mastering one’s own desires, emotions and passions. It requires depending on God to overcome temptation and remain spiritually strong and pure. It is strongly related to faithfulness to one’s marriage vows – “But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” – 1 Cor. 1:9 (NIV).
THE HOLY SPIRIT’S WORK IN US
The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Jesus Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to His “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4-5 (NIV).We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfil the intended purpose of the law – to love God and our neighbours. Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you? “ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Gal. 5:22-23 (NIV)
Because the God who sent the law sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God’s law. A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfils the law far better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart.
In order to accept Christ as Saviour, we need to turn from our sins and willingly nail our sinful nature to the cross. This doesn’t mean, however, that we will never see traces of its evil desires again. As Christians, we still have the capacity to sin, but we have been set free from sin’s power over us and no longer have to give in to it. We must daily commit our sinful tendencies to God’s control, daily crucify them, and moment by moment draw on the Spirit’s power to overcome them. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” – Gal. 5:24 (NIV)
God is interested in every part of our lives, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit’s power, we need to submit every aspect of our lives to God – emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we are saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of our new live, so keep in step with His leading. Don’t let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” – Gal. 5:25 (NIV).
CONCLUSION
Paul’s final comment on the fruit of the Spirit is that there are no exceptions or restrictions to the lifestyle described here. We can and must practise these character qualities over and over. We will never discover a law prohibiting us from living by these principles. God through Paul recommends that we rejoice in Him because He has our best interest at heart as we read in Phil. 4:4-9 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (NIV)
Stay blessed!
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Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
“…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” – Romans 5:6 (NIV)
Introduction
JESUS Christ shed His blood on the Cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for our salvation.
The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and we are baptised in Him into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God.
The Holy Spirit also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
What does Easter mean to Christianity?
Easter is the celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. God sent His Son to earth to die as a sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus died on the cross to forgive everybody for all the sins we have committed.
Jesus’ blood covered everybody from the beginning of time to the end of the world.
He died for all of our sins. On the third day, Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead. Jesus is the only God who has ever risen from the dead. He is the Saviour of the world. Without Jesus, we could not have ever been Christians. He died so that everybody who believes in Him could live forever and everybody on the face of the earth can become a Christian.
All you have to do is accept Him as Lord and Saviour, confess your sins, obey Him, and live your life for Him.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23. However, because of Jesus, we have been saved! For the Christian, Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Before Jesus’ death
They slapped Him and pulled His beard;
They spat on Him;
They pushed Him around;
They stripped Him and flogged Him and tore out His skin;
They pushed a crown of thorns on His head – it drew blood;
They put a heavy cross on Him to carry to the place of His execution;
To Calvary He went.
There they pierced Him with nails and hung Him on the cross – naked!
Even at this stage, at the stage of absolute agony and humiliation, they sneered at Him and mocked Him.
He had done no wrong. On the contrary, for my sake, for your sake and for the sake of a sinful world, He accepted the will of His Father and endured this very shameful, painful death.
He said very little during His trial, BUT on the cross He said seven things which we should meditate on.
Seven words on the cross
1. The word of forgiveness
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” – Luke 23:34. What an extraordinary love and mercy! I am saved – you are saved because Jesus asked for forgiveness for us.
2. The word of salvation
“I tell you the truth; today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43. Even in such excruciating agony Jesus reached out to a sinner.
The songwriter Frances Jane Van Alstyne, popularly called Fanny Crosby, the blind prolific hymn writer, says it so well in the hymn we all love to sing – TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Stanza 2:
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. The word of love
“Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” – John 19:26–27. Even in the agony of dying, Jesus was concerned about the welfare of His mother and appointed the disciple whom He loved to take care of her.
Then, and even now, children have a responsibility to take care of their dependent parents as stated in 1 Timothy 5:8 – “If anyone does not provide for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
When we refuse to take care of members of our families, especially the immediate ones, we are worse than unbelievers.
Jesus is a perfect example of obedience to God’s word. He has given us power to do this as He did.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
Fruitful Living
HAJJ: The 5th pillar of Islam, a sacred journey to the House of Allah An elevated call to faith, sacrifice, spiritual renewal (Part 1)
ALL praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We glorify Him, seek His guidance, and ask for His forgiveness. We send peace and abundant blessings upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Introduction: A journey beyond space and time
Hajj is not merely a ritual—it is a divine invitation to spiritual rebirth. It is a journey that transcends physical movement and penetrates the depths of the soul. From every corner of the world, millions respond to the timeless call of Allah, gathering in Makkah in a powerful demonstration of unity, humility, and submission.
Clothed in simple garments, stripped of worldly distinctions, pilgrims stand equal before their Creator—an awe-inspiring reminder of the Day of Resurrection when all humanity will stand before Allah.
Hajj within the framework of the five pillars of Islam
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Islam is built upon five: the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find a way.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 8; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 16)
Hajj is therefore not optional—it is a defining pillar of the Islamic faith for those who possess the means.
Qur’anic foundations of Hajj
Allah says:
“And [mention] when We showed Ibrahim the site of the House…” (Qur’an 22:26)
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj…” (Qur’an 22:27)
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House…” (Qur’an 3:97)
These verses establish the divine origin, universal call, and obligatory nature of Hajj.
Who is qualified to perform Hajj?
Hajj is obligatory upon a Muslim who is:
• Of sound faith, maturity, and sanity
• Physically capable
• Financially able
• Able to travel safely
• For women, accompanied by a Mahram (according to the majority opinion)
Financing Hajj: A matter of purity
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Indeed, Allah is pure and accepts only what is pure.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1015)
Hajj must be financed with halal earnings. Sponsoring others is highly rewarded, while performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased or incapacitated is permissible.
The sacred timing of Hajj
Hajj is observed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, from the 8th to the 13th, with the Day of Arafah (9th) being the climax of the pilgrimage.
Preparation includes repentance, sincerity, settling debts, seeking forgiveness, acquiring knowledge of rituals, and ensuring physical and financial readiness. Hajj begins with the purification of the heart.
Pillars of Hajj (Arkān al-Hajj)
• Ihram
• Standing at Arafah
• Tawaf al-Ifadah
• Sa’i
These are indispensable acts that validate the Hajj.
The rituals of Hajj (Manāsik): A living legacy
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Take your (Hajj) rituals from me.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1297)
Hajj rituals—from Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, stoning of Jamarat, sacrifice, and farewell Tawaf—are deeply symbolic acts rooted in the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). They embody submission, sacrifice, patience, and unwavering obedience to Allah.
Prohibitions during Hajj: Preserving sanctity
Allah says:
“There is no sexual relations, no disobedience, and no disputing during Hajj.” (Qur’an 2:197)
Prohibitions include marital relations, use of perfume, cutting hair, arguments, and sinful behavior. These restrictions discipline the soul and elevate spiritual consciousness.
Author’s profile
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imam
Governance Expert and Islamic Scholar
Imam Saeed Abdulai is a distinguished Islamic scholar and community leader known for his impactful teachings on faith, governance, and societal development. He actively contributes to religious education and public discourse in Ghana and beyond.
References
• The Noble Qur’an (2:197, 3:97, 22:26–27)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
• Sunan al-Tirmidhi
• Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim
• Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam, Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
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