Fruit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Walking into the room, I felt awed. Everything was shiny and well put together. I was actually a little intimidated. I could work for hours and still not achieve this kind of perfection. In the center of the room was the table which looked as perfect as the rest of the room. No spots on the dishes marred the scene. Colored napkins fanned out elegantly and treats were spread on sparkling silver. Looking at the other people in the room I noticed that most of them were daintily nibbling crackers, without spilling any crumbs on their dresses. I really wanted on of the decadent looking chocolate bites, but didn’t want to be judged by people I didn’t know. Instead I reached for the bowl of fruit, convincing myself that what I really wanted was a nice juicy orange. I just hoped the juice didn’t squirt on my blouse. I chose an orange that was perfect in color and texture and picked it up. Then I realized with a surprise that it was plastic. In aggravation I picked up the chocolate after all.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Walking into the room, I felt awed. Everything was shiny and well put together. I was actually a little intimidated. I could work for hours and still not achieve this kind of perfection. In the center of the room was the table which looked as perfect as the rest of the room. No spots on the dishes marred the scene. Colored napkins fanned out elegantly and treats were spread on sparkling silver. Looking at the other people in the room I noticed that most of them were daintily nibbling crackers, without spilling any crumbs on their dresses. I really wanted on of the decadent looking chocolate bites, but didn’t want to be judged by people I didn’t know. Instead I reached for the bowl of fruit, convincing myself that what I really wanted was a nice juicy orange. I just hoped the juice didn’t squirt on my blouse. I chose an orange that was perfect in color and texture and picked it up. Then I realized with a surprise that it was plastic. In aggravation I picked up the chocolate after all.
Plastic fruit may look pretty but it doesn’t satisfy. There
is no good juicy flavor and no refreshment. It can’t provide any nutrients or
any benefits that real fruit provides.
It doesn’t have any of the flaws that real fruit can but except for
looks, no one would choose it over a good tasting nutritious piece of the real
thing.
The Bible uses things that are familiar to teach us things
that are unfamiliar. Paul was trying to teach the believers about the Holy
Spirit. He had told them that we were born of the Spirit. Then he explained
that there are fruits of the spirit. These fruits are love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) I want
all of these things. Some of them are fairly easy for me. It is not too hard
for me to be gentle, because that is my personality. Some of them are harder. Peace is not in my
list of things that is easy. I find it much easier to be anxious, and while I strive for peace, my toes are curled up inside my shoes and my teeth are clenched. I don’t feel loving a lot of days, especially
when things are not going my way. Here is my problem. I can decide that I am
going to be joyful and smile till my teeth hurt, praise Jesus. I am very likely
to decide I am going to have self-control. For a while I can do it, but then
something trips my trigger and I want to run for coffee, chocolate or a
tantrum. Maybe a good cry. My results
look good but they are plastic fruit.
So what doe we know about fruit? It grows on a plant, not out by itself. In John 15:5, Jesus told his disciples, I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and my words abide in you will bear much fruit, but apart from me you can do nothing.
Plants need water to bloom and produce fruit. Psalms 1 says this.
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Our nourishment is the word of God.
Finally, the soil must be good. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), Jesus described a farmer sowing seed in different types of soil, including shallow, rocky, thorny and good soil. The rocky soil did not provide depth for the roots and the plants withered quickly. The thorny soil choked the plants and the seed in the good soil grew and produced fruit. I had always thought of this parable as talking about salvation, which is a logical thing. It also applies to believers who are bearing fruit. No matter what the conditions, the fruit of the Spirit is from the spirit. It is a natural outpouring of his power and his work, not ours. This week let's try to abide in Jesus. It is not easy but it is worth it.
So what doe we know about fruit? It grows on a plant, not out by itself. In John 15:5, Jesus told his disciples, I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in me and my words abide in you will bear much fruit, but apart from me you can do nothing.
Plants need water to bloom and produce fruit. Psalms 1 says this.
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Our nourishment is the word of God.
Finally, the soil must be good. In the parable of the sower (Matthew 13), Jesus described a farmer sowing seed in different types of soil, including shallow, rocky, thorny and good soil. The rocky soil did not provide depth for the roots and the plants withered quickly. The thorny soil choked the plants and the seed in the good soil grew and produced fruit. I had always thought of this parable as talking about salvation, which is a logical thing. It also applies to believers who are bearing fruit. No matter what the conditions, the fruit of the Spirit is from the spirit. It is a natural outpouring of his power and his work, not ours. This week let's try to abide in Jesus. It is not easy but it is worth it.
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