A - What kind of "fruit" is your life evident of?
S - For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... ~ Galatians 5:22-23
A - If you are fulfilling your God-given purpose, your life will be evident of it. People will see a difference in you and want to know what it's from. Jesus spent alot of His time teaching the disciples about the importance of what their lives should look like to others. "Love one another...by this all men will know that you are my disciples...." ~ John 13:35
Bearing "fruit" in your life is evidence of your spiritual condition! When you think of a person who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, what do you picture them to be like? Based on our verses for today...I think that sounds like an enjoyable woman to be around, don't you think? I want you to notice that these are not fruits of the Spirit, but one single fruit with many parts. They build off one another, with love being the foundation and working toward self-control. They are not for you to pick and choose which ones you want to produce in your life and which ones seem too difficult to "grow". They should be evident in a life controlled by the Holy Spirit. Are they in yours?
How do you produce this fruit? Does it just come natural? For some perhaps, but not for all of us! Some of us are stronger in the faithfulness and goodness category, while others' fruit is more evident by their love, patience, kindness, etc. According to John 15:1-8, Jesus is explaining why we need to stay connected to the True Vine (Himself) and what we (the Branches) will/will not produce from this relationship. Verse 5 ..."...If a man remains/abides (stays close in the relationship) in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." I encourage you to read all the verses (also Matthew 7: 15-20) to see how a person who does not bear fruit is described.
One final thought about the fruit that needs to be evident in your life. In John 15:16a, Jesus is reaffirming the importance of this truth: " You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last..." What does "fruit that will last" look like to you? Is it evident in your life?
P - Thank God today for the ability you have to bear fruit for Him. Ask Him to show you areas where you may not be abiding in Him like you should and therefore your fruit is not as plentiful. Be ready - the Master Gardener may need to do some pruning - but in the end, the harvest will be bountiful and beautiful!
Next Time - No Longer....
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