Product Description
Most experienced Christians are familiar with the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians. Love, peace, patience, and so on are often considered both gracious marks of true Christian character and ideals to aim for. But what do they look like when lived to the fullest?
This book answers this question by studying the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit in the life of Christ. In a warm and engaging style, Jonathan Landry Cruse examines these godly attributes in the Lord’s example, comparing them with our own faltering efforts at holiness, and shows that we can only bear true fruit for God by our union to the life-giving Vine. The work is God’s, not ours – and this is good news for all those who yearn for greater sanctification.
Paperback, 162 pages
Publication Date: July 2023
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction: This Is Not a How-to Book
Biblical and Christological Background
His Spirit, Our Spirit
1 The Love of God Made Manifest
Defining Love
Discovering Love
- Jesus’ love is willing and ready
- Jesus’ love is sacrificial
- Jesus’ love is gracious
- Jesus’ love is merciful
Desiring Love
2 The Joy of Your Master
The Embodiment of Joy
The Source of Joy
- A false source of joy
- The true source of joy
The Permanence of Joy
The Place of Joy
3 He Himself Is Our Peace
Eternal Peace
Internal Peace
External Peace
4 Consider Him Who Endured
Forbearance
- Repent
- Represent
Long-suffering
5 When Kindness Appeared
Kindness Incarnate
Three Scenes
- Kindly feeding
- Kindly healing
- Kindly forgiving
Just Be Kind?
6 ‘Why Do You Call Me Good?’
Goodness in Creation and Providence
Goodness in Question
Goodness in Redemption
Goodness in Me
7 Faithful to Him Who Appointed Him
The ‘What’ of Christ’s Faithfulness
- He manifested God’s name
- He preached God’s word
- He kept God’s people
- Objection(s)!
The ‘So What?’ of Christ’s Faithfulness
8 ‘I Am Gentle’
Two Characteristics
- Gentleness
- Lowliness
An Imperative
An Invitation
9 ‘Not My Will but Yours Be Done’
What It Is
Why We Need It
How We Get It
- The life of Jesus
- The life of faith
Conclusion: Beautiful Saviour, Beautiful Saints
For Further Study and Discussion
Author
Jonathan Landry Cruse studied theology at Westminster Seminary California. He is an author, hymnwriter, and the pastor of Community Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jonathan is husband to Kerri Ann and a father of three. Jonathan’s books include What Happens When We Worship, The Christian’s True Identity, and Hymns of Devotion.
