Jesus stated that the evidence for salvation is a person’s fruit (Matthew 7:16). When we are born again, our spirits are now alive to God; we now have the ability to respond to God. As a matter fact, our spirit is the part of us that is willing to cooperate with God (Matthew 26:41). It is impossible to be a born-again believer with no fruit; that is because the Holy Spirit of God dwells in us (1 Corinthians 6:19). Galatians 5:22-23 tells us,

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(NASB)

Let’s take a look at each one of these fruits:

• Love:This is the Greek word “agape” meaning, “Affectionate regard, goodwill, benevolence.^[1]This is the unconditional love. We, as believers, are called to love every person in this world; that is, including our enemies or, those who want to harm us.
• Joy:This is the Greek word. “χαράchará” meaning, “To rejoice. Joy, rejoicing, gladness.”^[2]I know that we all have our moments; nevertheless, a believer is a joyful person. We have more than enough reasons to rejoice. There is indeed a gladness that is release from our spirit. Joy is something humans in general look for; people want to be happy. Many times, folks end up using drugs to feel joy; to feel energy. Think about this, the Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy releases energy; depression take it away.
• Peace:This is the Greek word, “εἰρήνηeirḗnē”; meaning “metaphorically, peace of mind, tranquility, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of a divine favor.^[3]This is another gift that folks look for; peace of mind is truly a blessing. Again, as believers we are not immune to losing a night here and there over stuff. However, as believers we must have a lifestyle of peace. Our peace should be so powerful that for the naked and untrained eye in the things of God it should make no sense. It should surpass any reasonable understanding (Philippians 4:7).
• Patience:This is the Greek word, “μακροθυμίαmakrothumí”meaning,“To be long–suffering. Forbearance, long–suffering, self–restraint before proceeding to action. The quality of a person who is able to avenge himself yet refrains from doing so.^[4]As believers we will suffer; that is guaranty, this fruit helps us to endure and show restraint in retaliation.
• Kindness:This is the Greek word, “chrēstótēs” meaning, “To be useful, profitable. Benignity, kindness, usefulness and is translated good.^[5]A kind person is not a weak person, but a useful one. A kind person is a good person. Even as we have different personality, a believer must live a lifestyle of kindness towards others.
• Goodness:This is the Greek word, “agathōsúnē” meaning, “benevolent. Active goodness. Of disposition and character, virtue.^[6]This fruit is very close to kindness; however, goodness is active; so, it implies a disposition; a special willingness to help others.
• Faithfulness:This is the Greek word, “pístis”; meaning, “To win over, persuade. Faith. Subjectively meaning firm persuasion, conviction, belief in the truth, veracity, reality or faithfulness (though rare). Objectively meaning that which is believed, doctrine, the received articles of faith.”^[7]This is a non-negotiable faith in God as the provider of all things and as the God of the impossible. As believers we never place hope in ourselves; we have a deep conviction that we can trust God in all things.
• Gentleness:This is the Greek word, “praǘtēs”; meaning. “Meekness, but not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God. It is that attitude of spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist.^[8]This is beyond humility is a deeper confidence and trust in God. Gentleness accepts, without dispute, God’s dealing in our lives; whether we like or not.
• Self-Control:This is the Greek word, egkráteia; meaning, “temperate, self–controlled or continence.^[9]There are plenty of reason, circumstances, people, etc. that are demonically designed to make us lose control of our emotions and explode in anger. This fruit will always surprise us; because we are able to see the deep work God is doing in us. This fruit is always tested in fire.

            Beloved, to be a born-again believer is more than repeating a random prayer. A person can pray the perfect prayer of repentance; but that does not necessarily mean that they are save. The prayer should be a reflection of what God is already doing in their hearts. A born-again believer WILL BEAR FRUIT; that is an automatic. How can we not bear fruit with a born-again and willing spirit within us? Moreover, how can we not bear fruit with the indwelling of the Holy Ghost? Many are repeating these prayers of repentance; but I encourage you not to look for the prayer as the ultimate evidence of salvation, but look for the fruit; that’s how we know  them, by their fruit.

^[1]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[2]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[3]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[4]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[5]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[6]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[7]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[8]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).

^[9]Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament(Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).