“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
[Galatians 5: 22-23]
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control
So, are You good soil to plant the fruit of the Spirit… and what kind of fruit are you bearing? But before we get to this… do you ever take the time to read the verses before and after the one you focus on? If you do, you will often gain an even deeper understanding of your focus verses because they provide further understanding by telling us what to do or what not to do, and sometimes the when and how.
The 9 attributes tell us WHO our God and Father is and how He goes about being Himself. And if it is He who created us (and it is) then we also have these qualities in us because it is God who breathes the breath of life into us! Do you see these in yourself? Are they evident to those around you? Do you have a slight problem with a couple of them? Specifically these 2 verses give us information about how to judge ourselves on our understanding and application of the fruit of the Spirit scriptures. These verses tell us what our evidence should be regarding our effectiveness. I would argue that all words, all actions produce results… it’s just that sometimes what is seen is not what is wanted or intended.
One of the key scriptures that relates to being a fruit bearer is:
“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.” [John 15: 4-8]
When you read these words, there are a number of ‘if-then’ statements. If you (we) do (fill in the blank) then the Lord will (fill in the blank). There are a number of if-then statements throughout scripture… partially, I think, so that we will always know the effect, the result of when we do or don’t do. Remember that we make the decision about being fruit bearing. The Lord gives us opportunities… we choose to walk His path or not. Bottom line: do you intentionally try and be an example of these fruits? Are you growing in being a fruit bearing person? Like everything else of importance… it’s a process. But we also have a promise with this in John 15: 8.
Since I suspect we always bear fruit from our words and behavior, perhaps the most important question is – what kind of fruit do we bear? Is it fruit that remains? Is it fruit that’s on the verge of spoiling? Is it fruit that’s slightly bruised? Is it the particular fruit that’s at issue? Simple example: you really are a kind person and attempt to be this kind of fruit bearer… BUT you have zilch patience. Which one then takes the lead? Kindness? Or Patience? Or does it depend on the person and/or time?
If our choice is to bear fruit that remains, we need to be diligent about the fruit that does remain. Look again at John 15:16 / 4-11, AMP
“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you, so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting,…”
“Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you … The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit …” [selections from John 15: 4-11]
Obviously the Lord is as interested in our bearing good fruit that remains as we are. I think He gives us our entry to be good fruit bearers… abide, remain in HIM!
