The Difference between Fruits and Gifts
It is essential to clearly understand the fundamental difference between the two expressions. 'Fruit' is the natural result of an inner principle of life brought forth through a process of constant growth. 'Fruit' requires time to develop and comes to perfection with the help of many external factors like water, light, sun, etc.
In comparison, 'gifts' can come through the liberal actions of a giver. They are usually found in a completed condition even though their use can be made more perfect through the recipient in the course of time, e.g. when someone receives a camera as a gift. The quintessence of our present observation is that 'fruit' comes gradually from inside, whereas 'gifts' come all at once from an outer source. This is only a rough definition, but it helps to clarify the difference that is to be made between the two expressions.
The fruit of the Spirit, therefore, appears as an expression and result of a godly life which was given to the believer when he was born again. The fruit may show almost instantly in some characteristics, but will generally only appear gradually through the process of 'growing in grace'. Its development is promoted through external means of grace like Christian fellowship, spiritual service, external circumstances, but especially through the reconciliation of the soul with God. This 'fruit' has an ability for growth during the entire period of Christian life and, from that point of view, a constant growth in holiness should be taking place.
In comparison, the gifts of the Spirit can be given suddenly at any stage of the believer's life. The New Testament shows clearly that a gift was given to some believers when they first received the Holy Spirit. Other gifts were imparted at various turning points of the Christian walk (i.e. 1 TIMOTHY 4:14 - most likely due to Timothy being chosen for spiritual service - ACTS 16:1-3). Again, other gifts could be desired and asked for at any time (1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 and 1 CORINTHIANS 14:13).
The promise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit therefore appears to be unrelated to the maturity of the believer in the 'growth of grace', providing, of course, that the person in question is counted worthy of them by the Lord. They do not primarily arise out of the inward life but are sovereign acts of a great Giver.
It is essential to clearly understand the fundamental difference between the two expressions. 'Fruit' is the natural result of an inner principle of life brought forth through a process of constant growth. 'Fruit' requires time to develop and comes to perfection with the help of many external factors like water, light, sun, etc.
In comparison, 'gifts' can come through the liberal actions of a giver. They are usually found in a completed condition even though their use can be made more perfect through the recipient in the course of time, e.g. when someone receives a camera as a gift. The quintessence of our present observation is that 'fruit' comes gradually from inside, whereas 'gifts' come all at once from an outer source. This is only a rough definition, but it helps to clarify the difference that is to be made between the two expressions.
The fruit of the Spirit, therefore, appears as an expression and result of a godly life which was given to the believer when he was born again. The fruit may show almost instantly in some characteristics, but will generally only appear gradually through the process of 'growing in grace'. Its development is promoted through external means of grace like Christian fellowship, spiritual service, external circumstances, but especially through the reconciliation of the soul with God. This 'fruit' has an ability for growth during the entire period of Christian life and, from that point of view, a constant growth in holiness should be taking place.
In comparison, the gifts of the Spirit can be given suddenly at any stage of the believer's life. The New Testament shows clearly that a gift was given to some believers when they first received the Holy Spirit. Other gifts were imparted at various turning points of the Christian walk (i.e. 1 TIMOTHY 4:14 - most likely due to Timothy being chosen for spiritual service - ACTS 16:1-3). Again, other gifts could be desired and asked for at any time (1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 and 1 CORINTHIANS 14:13).
The promise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit therefore appears to be unrelated to the maturity of the believer in the 'growth of grace', providing, of course, that the person in question is counted worthy of them by the Lord. They do not primarily arise out of the inward life but are sovereign acts of a great Giver.
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