But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
That is found in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. Chapter 5:22
As a person that has Holy Spirit living inside me, this fruit is available for me to eat, to cultivate, to multiply, to enjoy, to offer. To live a better life. An easier one, with more fulfillment.
I have been pondering how forgiveness relates to these.
Matthew 5 tells us that if we only love those who love us, even religious enslaved people do that. Instead, we are exhorted to love those who don’t love us. That is part of us becoming as we shall be.
Can I love someone who hates me without having forgiveness in my heart for them?
We read that Jesus was anointed with joy above his companions. It is evident during his suffering, that he had enough (joy)capacity to stay relational. In that space, he also forgave.
In Philippians 4 we absorb a peace that passes understanding. Experiencing peace before forgiving is a lot different than experiencing peace after. Longsuffering requires forgiveness to remain. Really, all the fruit are more deeply experienced when the heart is free from the demands unforgiveness makes.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Is it just an encouragement to make financial offerings?
But verse 37 says Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. And the verses following 38 talk about taking the log out of one’s own eye before judging the speck in another’s.
Do I give differently when I am holding unforgiveness?
I remember that when my memories began, the Lord felt it important to teach me a parable from Matthew 18. 21 Then Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him — till seven times?’ 22 Jesus saith to him, `I do not say to thee till seven times, but till seventy times seven. 23 `Because of this was the reign of the heavens likened to a man, a king, who did will to take reckoning with his servants, 24 and he having begun to take account, there was brought near to him one debtor of a myriad of talents, 25 and he having nothing to pay, his lord did command him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and all, whatever he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant then, having fallen down, was bowing to him, saying, Sir, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all; 27 and the lord of that servant having been moved with compassion did release him, and the debt he forgave him. 28 `And, that servant having come forth, found one of his fellow-servants who was owing him an hundred denaries, and having laid hold, he took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that which thou owest. 29 His fellow-servant then, having fallen down at his feet, was calling on him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all; 30 and he would not, but having gone away, he cast him into prison, till he might pay that which was owing. 31 `And his fellow-servants having seen the things that were done, were grieved exceedingly, and having come, shewed fully to their lord all the things that were done; 32 then having called him, his lord saith to him, Evil servant! all that debt I did forgive thee, seeing thou didst call upon me, 33 did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee? 34 `And having been wroth, his lord delivered him to the inquisitors, till he might pay all that was owing to him; 35 so also my heavenly Father will do to you, if ye may not forgive each one his brother from your hearts their trespasses.’
I have had different levels and applications of this in my journey but the sum of it is this-
Any moment that I am not in full-on adoration of my Lord, my King, my sin against him is far greater than any sin that could ever be committed against me. And I have had a lot of junk done against me.
The thing about forgiveness, is that it has to come from the place where the heart got hurt. Anything less is lip service. But choosing to forgive from that place, and relinquishing any demand I may have from whoever hurt me, even while acknowledging the full cost of how that hurt has impacted my life, is freedom. That type of forgiving doesn’t need to be redone, over and over. Because it is not about trying to convince my heart, it is about my heart having a real time exchange- the hurt for healing.
astonished again 
Relinquishing any demands- hit me. I love how you put it. I have a different perspective on forgiveness – I found it hard to acknowledge my own feelings but I like how you mentioned the exchange. thank you.