📖 Morning Bible Brief: Romans

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Fruits of the Spirit in Romans

Love

“Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 5:5

Key Verses:

  • Romans 5:5 - Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
  • Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Neither height nor depth… can separate us from the love of God.
  • Romans 13:8 - Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.
  • Romans 13:10 - Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Reflection: Do you live like you’re un-separatable from God’s love, or do you still feel like you have to earn it?

Joy

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” — Romans 12:12

Key Verses:

  • Romans 5:2 - Through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
  • Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
  • Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.

Reflection: Where are you struggling to be joyful right now? What if the answer isn’t changing your circumstances, but changing what you’re hoping in?

Peace

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1

Key Verses:

  • Romans 5:1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Romans 8:6 - The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
  • Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Reflection: When things are chaotic, do you reach for peace (control/avoidance), or do you rest in the peace you already have?

Patience

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” — Romans 2:4

Key Verses:

  • Romans 2:4 - Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
  • Romans 8:25 - But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
  • Romans 12:12 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Reflection: Who do you need to be patient with today? What if God’s patience with them is the same patience he has with you?

Kindness

“Consider therefore the kindness and severity of God.” — Romans 11:22

Key Verses:

  • Romans 2:4 - Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience.
  • Romans 11:22 - Consider therefore the kindness and severity of God.
  • Romans 15:9 - Let us then approach God with confidence for his kindness leads us toward repentance.

Reflection: Where have you mistaken kindness for approval? Where have you confused severity with a lack of love?

Goodness

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21

Key Verses:

  • Romans 2:4 - Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience.
  • Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
  • Romans 15:14 - I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness.

Reflection: What’s the evil (or difficulty) you’re trying to fight? What if the answer is simply to do good instead?

Faithfulness

“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” — Romans 1:17

Key Verses:

  • Romans 1:17 - For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.
  • Romans 3:3 - What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?
  • Romans 4:20-21 - He did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith.

Reflection: Where is your faith being tested? What if the test is actually the strengthening?

Gentleness

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” — Romans 15:1

Key Verses:

  • Romans 2:4 - Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience.
  • Romans 12:14 - Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
  • Romans 15:1 - We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Reflection: Where are you strong but not gentle? Where are you holding back your strength for someone else’s good?

Self-Control

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body… Rather, offer yourselves to God.” — Romans 6:12-13

Key Verses:

  • Romans 6:12-13 - Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body… Rather, offer yourselves to God.
  • Romans 8:13 - For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
  • Romans 13:14 - Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

Reflection: What are you offering to God today? What would it look like to offer yourself fully instead of just trying to “not sin”?

🙏 Prayer

Lord, grow these fruits of the Spirit in my life today. Let Your love flood my heart, Your joy fill my spirit, and Your peace guard my soul. Grant me patience with others, kindness in my actions, and goodness in my choices. Make me faithful to Your call, gentle in my relationships, and disciplined in my walk. I surrender every area of my life to Your transforming work. Amen.

This is part of a daily journey through the New Testament, focusing on the Fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.