Thank you for expressing the question in this way.

1. Can unbelievers (especially ones who deliberately reject Jesus and consciously resist the Holy Spirit) experience the fruits of the Spirit?

2. Can they be kind and loving and compassionate like the best of believers?

3. Upon what basis do we discern whether or not they are kind and loving and compassionate like the best of believers?

4. How do we apply "by their fruits ye shall know them" in this case?

Again, you have admitted that you've never met anyone who is as kind and loving and compassionate as the best of believers who have also deliberately rejected Jesus and who consciously resist the wooing influence of the Holy Spirit. This being the case, you are unqualified to answer the 4 questions posted to Thomas above.

When they do express the qualities of the gifts of the Spirit, do we recognise that God once again moved outside of our limited frames for His glory and grace?

This isn't at all responsive to what I wrote.

Regarding what you wrote, the Bible says that those whose mind is stayed on God have perfect peace. You appear to be saying the reverse, which, I guess, according to your logic, makes you "qualified" to ask and answer questions like the ones you posted to Thomas. But, because I believe what the Bible says, I'm not "qualified."

Consider your first question:



Your logic is if I say "no" then that means I'm not qualified to answer the questions you're asking, including this one! So you're asking a yes/no question that one is only "qualified" to answer if one answers it in a certain way.

Aren't you assuming it is impossible to manifest the fruits of the Spirit without help from God? I know several people who reject Jesus and resist the Holy Spirit and are kind and loving and compassionate like the best of believers.

Tom, how do you explain the fact there are people who deliberately reject Jesus and consciously resist the Holy Spirit and who, in spite of this, are kind and loving and compassionate like the best of believers? For example, in response to people displaced by natural disasters, I have worked side-by-side believers and unbelievers (like the ones described above). There is no outward discernable difference. Both are kind and loving and compassionate.

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

It wouldnt be the first time God doesnt play after the rules we humans make.

Not sure what you're saying here. Are you suggesting the people who reject Jesus and resist the Holy Spirit are kind and loving and compassionate like the best of believers because the Holy Spirit is poured out on them?

I am saying that everyone who expresses the fruit of the Spirit has been given this fruit by the Spirit to express.

22And the fruit of the Spirit is: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith,
23meekness, temperance: against such there is no law;

Satan is not in the business of dispersing any of the qualities mentioned above on his followers. And humans are usually not known for having these in our natural character. Therefore everyone who enjoys them has received it from God. If the person who enjoys these fruits refuses to recognise their source, there will likely be consequences to reap. But that does not negate their source.

Thomas, thank you for clarifying what you believe. I suspect, however, that people who reject Jesus and resist the Holy Spirit and are kind and loving and compassionate like the best of believers are able to do so because Satan feels it best serves his purposes not to interfere and prevent it.