The Fruit of the Spirit

 


Oh, blessed, Spirit! Giver of salvation,
Purchased by Jesus on the cross of shame;
Dwell in our hearts; transform them with thy beauty -
Fairest adorning of our Saviour's name.

Thy nine-fold fruit bestow upon us freely;
Love, deep and full, to God and all mankind;
Joy in the Lord, 'mid every earthly sorrow;
Peace, calm and sweet, that gaurdeth heart and mind.

Make us long-suffering, 'mid earth's provocations;
Gentleness give us, when enduring wrong;
Goodness impart, that we e'en foes may succour,
And faith in God, to change our toil to song.

Meekness bestow, with humble self-abasement,
And temperance grant, through Thy controlling might:
And as we list to every call of duty,
May we do all as in Thy searching sight.

Then with the gift of holiness within us;
We not less human, but made more like Thee;
Our lives replete with Jesus' matchless beauty;
So Christ's own image, all shall clearly see.


James Mountain
altered

From Sacred Songs & Solos, No. 612

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

graphics & backbround by Mary Stephens
updated 2019