True Fruit

Galatians 5:22-23 ~ "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

The evident quality of the Christian life is found not in the gifts of the Spirit but in the fruit of the Spirit.

From the above statement, do not entertain the notion that the gifts are of no value or interest in the Christian's life. They are of extreme importance for they are the means by which the work of God is accomplished in and through those who believe on the Lord Jesus. 1 Peter 4:10 instructs, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." But it is not by the gifts demonstrated that a person will be judged, but by the fruit produced.

To understand this more clearly, we look to the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13:6-9. As the owner of the tree found no fruit on it, verse 7 indicates his response, "And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'" Matthew 7:19 clearly shows that a fruitless life will be judged, "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."

Fruitfulness is of great worth, for it demonstrates those who are true disciples of the Lord Jesus. In John 15:8 Jesus states, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." It is the testimony of the fruit tree that it has upon it the fruit for which it was planted. And it is the testimony of the Christian who produces the fruit that God has purposed--the quality of Christ in the life of the believer. Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:33, "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit."

In our text today, we see that it is the "fruit of the Spirit." Two things will be seen from this.

First, it is the Spirit's fruit. It cannot be mimicked or added from external sources. The Holy Spirit dwells in each believer. And from within the changed life blossoms forth the fruit that displays the quality of Christ in us. There are some who behave like Christmas trees--hanging the external ornaments of self-righteousness in hopes that they will appear fruitful. But a Christmas tree, for all its glitter, is dead--cut off from the source of life. It is by the Holy Spirit working to transform the inner man that the true fruit is produced.

Second, it is singular in nature. The term "fruit" is singular in its Greek construction, and that is a remarkable thing for the list of the fruit of the Spirit is varied. What this indicates is the singular reality of the fullness of Christ within, being revealed through the life of the believer. Examine the various qualities of the Fruit of the Spirit and consider Christ. When you do, you will run full-force into the truth that each of those qualities are perfectly found in Jesus. And for the Christian, those qualities now are yours because His Spirit dwells within you.  Colossians 2:9-10 says, "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." You, beloved, have been filled in Him. Thus, as the inner life of the tree produces the fruit that grows, so the inner life of the Christian--Christ in us--produces the fruit of the Spirit.

So, as you have entered this day, let me encourage you to come before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to inspect the fruit of your life. Are there those qualities of Christ being formed--love and gentleness, peace and self-control? Read the list above and prayerful ask what David asked in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" 

And, dear friends, don't fear if you do not find them perfectly formed or complete. You will know a tree by its fruit, but the maturity of fruit does take time. 

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

---