But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
A saying comes to mind, “fruit does not fall far from its tree.” In other words, you can know children’s quality of character by their parental influences. You can realize one’s behavior from their source of guidance and direction. Loving one another is the Christian brother and sister’s proof that we are of the Father stock and Spirit. However, living right cannot be carried out without help, nor can we produce what is required of us to be fruitful in our relationships alone. Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).” Instead of producing gospel fruit in relationships, we can become consumers; instead of givers, we can become takers until we are nothing (Galatians 5:15). The effects of sin disconnect us from the fellowship and sweet communion with Christ the True Vine, who is the source of our living union with the Father.
What is holding back gospel fruit and breakthroughs in many people’s lives and relationships is a denial of the corruption that is still present with us. Our old sinful nature is showing up when it wants and demanding satisfaction. The presence of sin in us can cause us to condemn ourselves even though we have been changed in Christ Jesus. But our God is Alpha and the Omega. He is the God who helps us deal with our past, helps us stay grounded in our present, and helps us to be filled with hope for our future; there is no condemnation in Him (John 3:17; Rom 8:1-2). Our new pattern of life is fresh and young, but our old ways are stubborn and resistant to the needed change happening within us. We are no longer spiritual cannibals and can look up now from the lowlands of despair, hungry and thirsty for our spiritual food and the life that it brings. We have learned that prayer works, love works, forgiveness works for the peace, and other gospel fruit to be produced in us and made effective around us.
There is a song by Rev. Timothy Wright that says, “trouble don’t last always, and weeping may endure for a night, but keep that faith it will be alright.” God promised never to leave nor forsake us, not that we won’t have problems. He is not taking the problems away but proving himself faithful with us through our trials. The most important thing we must recognize is that the change in us as we walk and talk with him through our problems is producing spiritual fruit in us (Gal 5:22-23). Through all of your difficulties, the gospel fruit produced in you shows your spiritual diet and whose Spirit you are walking.
What Scripture are you turning to help guide you to produce the character you need in your situation? The truth about Christ’s love and personality is express in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 saying, “love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; love never fails.” Keep in step with the Holy Spirit, applying God’s wisdom as He fills you and enables you by producing gospel fruit in you. He will produce in you the qualities necessary for your spiritual life; the love, the joy, the peace, the patience, the kindness, the goodness, the faithfulness, the gentleness, and the self-control you need as followers of Christ and children of God.
Because He lives,
Pastor Reggie Sheppard