Galatians 5:22-26
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-23, NIV).

The following are more qualities Ruth possessed which we can emulate:

Loving: Ruth was a loving and caring person. Without the heart of care, she would not have followed  Naomi back to Bethlehem. Without love she would have decided to leave Naomi and found her way. Someone may say, but she could stay back in her country? But love constrained her from doing so. She remained with Naomi. She loved her and her God.

Patience: Ruth was not only loving and caring, she was patient. She waited on God to sort her out; to give her a home. She was patient to leave with another woman who must  definitely have her flaws. What a unique virtue this woman possessed!

Friend, I believe you will find more qualities than we have examined. When we study them closely we would see that they are closely related to the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (vs. 22-23, NIV).

The key message is that these qualities are what we need to be good ambassadors of our faith in this generation. Many of us, I inclusive, are not displaying these qualities. We fall  short in many ways. Let us pray for the grace to bear these fruits.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself. Ask the Lord to help you bear these fruits.
• Pray that your life will be a witness to the gentleness and kindness of Christ.

Song: We lift Your Name on High.

Reading through the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 10